Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera + Nikon 18-55mm AF-S Lens + Nikon SLR Gadget Bag + Transcend 4GB SDHC SecureDigital Card + USB Card Reader

It's hard 2 beat the price 2 value ratio 4 this kit. I bought this 4 my sister-in-law as a college graduation present. She's produced some stunning photos (as has my brother...he keeps borrowing it from her.) Before I bought this, I had taken her window shopping. She had held a number of cameras & this one was the only one small enough 4 her hands. She's a little woman...not even five feet tall.

If you're reading this, you're probably trying 2 figure out if this is the camera 4 you or someone you know. Here's a handy rubric 4 figuring that out.

Let's talk about the person 4 whom this camera purchase is intended.

If the person doesn't want 2 bother with carrying lenses, don't get a DSLR.

If the person is not a beginner 2 photography & already has an SLR, then don't get this camera. Get a DSLR BODY ONLY that takes the lenses they already have at a price point of about $800-$1000. For Nikon/Canon/Sony-Minolta/Pentax, get a D90/40D/A700/K20D.

If the person is a beginner 2 photography & does not have an SLR, then consider this camera. Across the board 4 Nikon/Canon/Sony-Minolta/Pentax, consider a D40-D60-D80/XTI-XSI/A350/K200D-K2000D. Have them hold the cameras in question if you can. Find the one that they like holding. Find the one that doesn't weigh too much. If you can't get them 2 hold the cameras, then...

If they have big hands, consider the Nikon D80, Canon Xsi, or the Pentax K10D or K200D. I'll stop here since people with big hands won't want the product being reviewed.

If they have small hands, consider the Nikon D40 & D60, the Sony A350, & the Pentax K2000D.

If they have tiny hands, consider only the Nikon D40 & the Pentax 2000D.

If they have access 2 Nikon or Pentax lenses, they should choose the camera 2 which they have available glass.

If they don't have access 2 lenses, have small or tiny hands, are beginners 2 photography, then you can't really go wrong with either the Nikon d40 or the Pentax K2000D.

The megapixel count, the pictures per second, the start up time, the available ISO, & about two dozen other metrics won't mean squat until well after their capabilities have outgrown both these cameras - at least a year or two of concentrated study.

This camera feels good in your hands. It takes great pictures if used by someone who knows what they're doing. The Nikon brand has some unbelievable lenses available - granted, some are at unreal prices. However, this camera will take those pictures at the ball game, on the soccer field, at the park, at the canyon, at the relative's barbeque, & at most places & times people will want 2 capture the moment. Is it professional grade? No, but so what - if you were a pro, you wouldn't be reading this review.

not bad 4 the camera.
But it's sounds crazzy 2 leave my camera in front of door.

This is my first SLR Camera, which works great 4 me. I love the price.

Although I haven't played with the features very much as of yet, I am very happy with the Nikon D40 so far.

I waited a long time before purchasing a digital SLR & I couldn't be more thrilled. Purchasing the "outfit" was definitely the right choice.

Love this camera & all the stuff that came with it. It's very easy 2 use right out of the box & it takes great pictures. Now if I ever learn all the other stuff that this camera is capable of I will be picture taking genius. Thanks Nikon.
Ray

Kit includes:1) Nikon D40; 2) nikon 18-55mm; 3) Transcend 4GB SDHC SecureDigital (SD) Card; 4) High Speed USB 2.0 SecureDigital (SD) Card Reader; 5) ImageRecall Digital Image Recovery Software; 6) Nikon SLR System Case - Gadget Bag; 7) Memory Card Storage Wallet; 8) Microfiber Cleaning Cloth; >> Nikon D40 includes: Nikon EN-EL9 Battery; Quick Charger (MH-23); USB Cable; Camera Strap; Body Cap; Eyepiece Cap; Accessory Shoe Cap; Rubber Eyecup; PictureProject Software CD-ROM; Instruction Manual; Nikon USA Warranty >> Nikon 18-55mm includes: Front & Rear Lens Caps; Lens Hood; Instructions; Nikon USA Warranty. >> The Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera unites the brilliant performance of world-famous Nikkor lenses & the practicality of a remarkably small & light camera body. It boasts handling & performance advantages that do away with the frustrations often associated with compact digital cameras, making it ideal 4 anyone who wants 2 capture spectacular digital pictures without fuss or complication. It features a high-resolution 6.1-effective-megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor & a highly advanced Nikon Image Processing Engine. Furthermore, Nikon's exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II assures accurate exposure control even in difficult lighting conditions & an AUTO ISO feature makes the most of available light by automatically setting the camera's light sensitivity from the available ISO range of 200 2 1600. >> The 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX 3x zoom Lens is ideal as a normal lens designed exclusively 4 Nikon DX format Digital SLRs, this ultra-compact provides superb versatility in a wide variety of shooting situations.