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Nikon D40 review
The most affordable compact and lightweight Nikon digital SLR ever D40 Kit
with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II $499.95 (MSRP) The D40
digital SLR features performance and handling advantages of Nikon?€™s
leading-edge digital and optical technologies in a compact body that offers
mobility and simplicity of operation ?€“ making it possible for even
first-time digital SLR owners to achieve beautiful images in a range of
situations. With power-up time of only 0.18 seconds and a nearly
indiscernible shutter release lag time, the D40 is always ready to shoot.
Continuous shooting at 2.5 frames 1 per second for up to 100 shots (JPEG
FINE L-size or smaller) makes it easy to capture action. Nikon?€™s
Multi-CAM530 autofocus module and 3-area autofocus system with cross-type
sensor located in the centre incorporates refined algorithms inherited from
Nikon?€™s renowned D200 and D80 digital SLRs. These control autofocus
of the lens, delivering more precise focus, faster subject tracking and
more accurate autofocus response and detection ?€“ even in low light.
Previewing shots is nearly instant on the bright and sharp 2.5-inch LCD
colour monitor where images may be enlarged up to 19 times to check for
sharpness, exposure and focus. Exceptional image detail with true, vivid
colours is accomplished with the high-resolution 6.1 effective-megapixel
Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor and highly advanced Nikon Image Processing
Engine. And, with Nikon?€™s exclusive 3D Colour Matrix Metering II,
accurate exposure control is assured even in difficult lighting conditions.
The frame-wide 420-pixel sensor instantly assesses and compares a
scene?€™s brightness, contrast, and colour employing the built-in
database of information from more than 30,000 real-world lighting
scenarios, then instantly determines and sets the accurate exposure. For
greater control, alternative exposure control tools such as spot metering,
centre-weighted metering, and exposure compensation are also available.
Auto ISO makes the most of available light by automatically setting the
camera?€™s light sensitivity between ISO 200 to 1600. The ISO may also
be set manually between this range, plus HI 1 (one step over 1600), for
beautiful pictures even in low-light situations without a flash. For flash
photography, the D40?€™s powerful built-in flash employs
Nikon?€™s market-leading i-TTL flash control for greater precision in
flash exposure evaluation and better automatic flash balance, even with
backlit subjects or reflective objects in the background. Nikon?€™s
scene-optimized Digital Vari-Program modes lets photographers concentrate
on capturing the moment while the camera determines settings. The eight
modes ?€“ Auto, Auto (Flash Off), Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sport,
Close-up, and Night Portrait, are designed to produce outstanding images by
automatically calculating the best settings and ISO-equivalent sensitivity
for each scene. New Auto (Flash Off) mode prevents the flash from popping
up while boosting ISO, which can help in low-light situations where flash
photography is not allowed. For more advanced creative control, the D40
offers Program Auto, Shutter-Priority Auto, Aperture-Priority Auto, and
Manual modes. Newly introduced Assist Images help users select appropriate
settings for many of the D40?€™s features by showing a sample image
typical of the selected setting. The new Retouch menu on the D40 offers
exclusive in-camera image editing features that provide greater creative
freedom without the need to first download images. In-camera Retouch
features include D-Lighting, which can bring out detail in overly dark
images. Image Trim allows for creative cropping and creates smaller files
that are easier to e-mail. Other creative features include Red-eye
Correction, Image Overlay, Small Picture, Monochrome (Black-and-white,
Sepia, Cyanotype) and Filter Effects (Skylight, Warm Filter, Colour
Balance). Truly spectacular digital images with ease and simplicity are the
hallmark of the new D40 Digital SLR, making it the ideal first-time digital
SLR. Exclusive Canadian Warranty Nikon Canada offers an exclusive 2-year
warranty for the D40 when purchased from a Nikon Canada Authorized Dealer.
Consumers can feel comfort knowing their investment is protected by Nikon
Canada?€™s 2-Year Warranty with in-Canada service. Note:
Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories and release
schedule may differ by country or area. 1 Photos taken at ISO sensitivity
of HI 1 are automatically processed to reduce noise, increasing recording
time by approximately 1 second per frame.
The lightest, most compact Nikon digital SLR ever, featuring intuitive
controls and an ergonomically designed operation.
A large 2.5-inch LCD monitor enables image preview at up to 19 times
magnification (for L-size images), while large fonts and easy-to-view menus
with carefully designed colour schemes help simplify changing camera
settings.
Large, bright viewfinder with 0.8x magnification ensures clear view for
precise composition.
Long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery allows up to 470 images* in
single-frame shooting mode on a single charge (*CIPA standard, with
Built-in Flash used for 50% of the shots). In situations where fewer flash
pictures are taken, the number of shots per battery charge can be expected
to increase.
The optional AC Adapter EH-5 allows even longer periods for shooting (an AC
Adapter Connector EP-5 is required, available separately).
Handy assist images are available to help the photographer choose the right
settings for each scene.
The optional Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 enables an easy remote shutter
release.
6.1-effective-megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD imaging sensor produces 3,008 x
2,000-pixel images with high resolution and superbly sharp details.
Inheriting the advanced, industry-leading Imaging Processing Engine of
Nikon professional D-SLR cameras, the D40 incorporates high-precision
digital image processing algorithms to produce natural-looking images with
faithful colour and tone reproduction.
Nikon 3D Colour Matrix Metering II automatic exposure control ensures ideal
exposures in almost any lighting condition. The system evaluates each scene
for brightness, colour, contrast, selected focus area and camera-to-subject
distance, and then compares the information with its expanded onboard
database of more than 30,000 actual photographic scenes to instantly and
accurately calculate the ideal exposure value for the shot. Variable
centre-weighted metering and spot metering centered on the active focus
area are also available.
Auto White Balance for natural colouration, plus a choice of six different
manual white balance settings, (Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight,
Flash, Cloudy, and Shade), or user-defined preset white balance.
Near-instant 0.18-second power-up lets photographers respond to every
photographic opportunity.
Continuous shooting at 2.5 frames* per second allows capturing action of up
to 100 JPEG images (FINE L-size or smaller). *Photographs taken at an ISO
sensitivity of HI 1 are automatically processed to reduce noise, increasing
recording time by about 1 second per frame.
Advanced 3-area AF system and the refined algorithms inherited from the
advanced Nikon digital SLR cameras deliver fast, efficient and precise
autofocus, while an AF-assist illuminator helps ensure top performance in
dark situations.
Versatile shutter speed control with a range from 30 to 1/4000 s, plus
bulb.
Fast image data transfer and recording to SD memory cards of up to 4GB
capacity (SDHC compliant).
Eight Digital Vari-Programs adjust settings automatically, controlling ISO
sensitivity, white balance, sharpening, tone (contrast), colour, saturation
and hue for crisp, vivid and incredible digital photographs faithful to the
subject and scene. Selections include Auto, Auto (Flash Off), Portrait,
Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, and Night Portrait.
For manual controls over shutter and aperture, P (Program auto), S
(Shutter-priority auto), A (Aperture-priority auto) and M (Manual) modes
are also available.
Automatic control over ISO-equivalent sensitivity from ISO 200 to 1600 plus
HI 1 can also be set manually.
Simultaneous recording of NEF (RAW) and JPEG (Basic) data for the same shot
helps optimize and accelerate workflow
Built-in Flash features reliable i-TTL flash control, working accurately
even with backlit subjects or reflective objects in the background. Four
flash modes are supported: Auto Flash, Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync and
Rear Curtain Sync. Flash exposure compensation is also available.
D-Lighting pulls out colour and detail from shadowy areas of images. Since
it doesn’t affect the properly exposed parts of the picture, the
resulting images are more balanced and visually pleasing. D-Lighting is
ideal for correcting backlighting, insufficient flash or other situations
that produce under-exposed images.
Red-eye correction automatically detects and compensates for the annoying
red-eye effect frequently seen in flash pictures.
Trim allows for creative cropping of an image and produces smaller files
for easy sharing and more efficient use of file space.
Monochrome (Black-and-white, Sepia, Cyanotype)
Filter effects (Skylight, Warm filter, Colour balance)
Small picture saves photos at the reduced sizes, convenient for Internet
use.
Image overlay merges a pair of selected RAW (NEF) files taken with the D40
to create a new composite image that can be saved in RAW or JPEG format.
Compatibility with world famous, high-quality Nikkor lenses* with Nikon F
mount with AF coupling and AF contacts (*Autofocus is supported only with
AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses, which are equipped with built-in motors.).
Supports Nikon Creative Lighting System when using the SB-800, SB-600,
SB-400, SB-R200 or the R1C1 Wireless Close-Up Speedlight system, delivering
accurate exposures via i-TTL flash and versatile wireless operation.
Nikon?€™s PictureProject software (included) lets photographers share,
organize and edit their pictures with ease. Intuitive controls and design
templates make it simple to print pictures, burn a CD/DVD and send pictures
via email. Photographers can also get creative, making impressive photo
albums and slideshows with special effects and their favorite music.
PictureProject helps people make quick work of it all, including locating
pictures by name, keyword or date.
Capture NX (available separately) is Nikon?€™s revolutionary new photo
editing software. Its versatile interface is remarkably easy to use, making
it possible for anyone to explore the full potential of NEF (RAW) images.
The key is U Point?„? technology, by Nik Software, which simplifies the
editing and enhancement procedures to a few sliders and clicks of the
mouse. No calculations, no guesswork. Capture NX handles the complicated
procedures for photographers, with all its photo image processing and
editing tools available to JPEG and TIFF files as well, ensuring them a
wide set of creative options. Creative photo editing has never been this
easy.
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