Nikon D40

Reviewed December 2006

Characteristics

The Nikon D40 is equipped with a DX format (APS-C) CCD measuring 23.7 x 15.6 mm, that is composed of 6.24 million pixels, of which 6.1 million are effective to capture a maximum image size of 3008 x 2000 pixels. Three image sizes are possible:

• L: 3008 x 2000 pixels
• M: 2256 x 1496 pixels
• S: 1504 x 1000 pixels

These image sizes can be saved using any one of 3 JPEG compression levels (Fine, Normal or Basic) or using Nikon's proprietary RAW format (NEF). In addition, a RAW+JPEG (Basic) format is offered. Nikon supplies Picture Project to view and convert NEF format images, as well as a trial version of Nikon Capture NX (see the Interface and Software section of the review).

CCD sensitivity starts at 200 ISO but can be increased to 400, 800, 1600 ISO or HI 1, which is equivalent to 3200 ISO. Auto ISO is the default setting for the digital Vari-Programs, but sensitivity can also be set manually; while when the camera is used with P, S, A or M, the Auto ISO mode can be enabled in the Custom options menu (see further) along with an upper limit of 400, 800 or 1600 ISO, or the shutter speed threshold at which the camera will increase sensitivity (between 1 and 1/125 second in 0.3 EV increments).

The D40 has a Nikon F mount which makes it possible to attach any Nikkor lens. However, the D40 does not have an internal autofocus motor, so auto focusing is only possible with AF-S or AF-I lenses, while all others (type G or D Nikkor lenses) have to be manually focused.

As the CCD's size is smaller than a full 35 mm frame, all the focal lengths of lenses mounted on the camera have to be multiplied by 1.5X. The D40 is sold in a kit that includes a DX lens — a lens series devised to fit the smaller than 35 mm frame size of CCDs — an AF-S Nikkor 18 to 55 mm f3.5-5.6 G II ED, which yields a focal length equivalent to a 27 to 82.6 mm. The lens is composed of 7 elements in 5 groups and includes 1 ED glass (Extra-low Dispersion) element and 1 aspherical element.

The D40 has a shutter speed range that covers from 1/4000 to 30 seconds, and an unlimited B (Bulb) mode when used in Manual mode. A noise reduction system can be activated in the menu for long exposures.

As explained in the Ergonomics section of this review, the Shooting Information Display of the D40 makes it possible to set a number of shooting parameters. In addition the D40 is equipped with a complete menu composed of 5 sections: Playback, Shooting, Custom Settings, Setup and Retouch.

The first section, Playback, contains the following options:

• Delete: serves to delete selected or all images.
• Playback Folder: allows using the current folder from which images will be played back, or all folders on the card.
• Rotate Tall: decides whether images captured vertically — portrait format — are played back with the same orientation as they were captured or not.
• Slide Show serves to see all images one after the other with a selectable on-screen time (2, 3, 5 or 10 seconds).

• Print Set (DPOF): serves to select images that will be printed either directly on a PictBridge printer, or by a service, and the number of prints to make of each image.

The second section of the menu contains options related to the capture of images:

• Optimize Image controls how images are processed by the camera:
  • Normal.
  • Softer: softens outlines.
  • Vivid: increases saturation, contrast and sharpness.
  • More Vivid: maximizes saturation, contrast and sharpness.
  • Portrait: decreases contrast.
  • Black and White.
  • Custom: allows adjusting sharpness, tone, colour space (sRGB, Adobe RGB, or extended sRGB), saturation and hue.
• Image Quality: selects the image format (RAW, JPEG Fine, JPEG Normal, JPEG Basic or RAW + B).

• Image Size: (see above).
• White Balance serves to select the white balance setting when the camera is set to P, S, A or M: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade and Preset White Balance, which makes it possible to set and memorize a white balance setting using a white surface, or the white balance setting used for an image already on the memory card.

• ISO Sensitivity: serves to set the CCD sensitivity (see above).
• Noise Reduction: decides whether or not photos captured at high sensitivity or with long exposures (more than 1 second) are processed to reduce noise.

Additional settings are contained in the Custom Settings section:

To see the remaining options of the Custom menu, the option CSM/Setup Menu in the Setup menu must be set to Full. (See the Interface and Software section of the review for a list of the options contained in the Setup menu).

The fourth section of the menu contains the Setup options. These options are detailed in the Interface and Software section of the review.

The fifth and last section of the menu is called retouch, and serves to correct or adjust already captured images that are on the memory card:

• D-lighting*: serves to lighten dark areas without affecting light areas.
• Red-eye Correction*: serves to correct the red-eye effect caused by the flash.
• Trim: allows saving the zoomed-in portion of an image under review as a new image. The camera saves the new image at the image size closest to the actual size of the trimmed section.

• Monochrome*: allows changing a colour image to black and white, sepia, or Cyanotype (blue and white monochrome).
• Filter Effects* provides 3 optional filters that can be applied to an already captured image:
  • Sky light: acts as a sky light filter, reducing blue tones.
  • Warm Filter: warms up the image by boosting reds.
  • Colour Balance: provides control over the red, blue, cyan and green content of an image while observing the change on a thumbnail of the image.
• Small Picture: serves to create a small size copy of an image under review (640 x 480, 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels).
• Image Overlay: serves to combine two RAW images to create one. The exposure of the overlay image can be optimized up or down by selecting the gain from image one from between 0.1 and 2 EV in increments of 0.1 EV while the effect can be seen in a preview. The final image is saved at the size and quality currently set on the camera.

  * These options are not available for images captured in black and white.

The D40 is compatible with SD (Secure Digital) and SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) memory cards. The card slot is located on the right side of the camera, behind a solid door that springs open when slid back.

Currently, in North America, the D40 Kit is not sold with a memory card.

As a guide, the chart below lists image capacities using an inexpensive 1 GB SD card:

At the top is the Video Out jack, the signal for which must be set to NTSC or PAL in the Setup menu. Worth noting, Nikon does not supply the Video cable with the camera and it must be purchased as an option if the camera will occasionally be connected to a television.

Below is the USB 2.0 High Speed port, which allows the D40 to be connected to a computer or a PictBridge compatible printer. As with the video signal, the USB protocol of the camera can be selected in the Setup menu: PictBridge or Mass Storage.

The D40 is powered by a Lithium-ion (EN-EL9) that is housed in the grip. A battery charger, MH-23, is included with the camera as sold in a kit in North America, requiring approximately 90 minutes to fully recharge a depleted battery.