Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Lens and Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED DX VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens + 4GB SecureDigital (SD) Card

Perfect 4 what I needed. It comes with everything you need 2 get started with a DSLR. I chose this camera following the advice of an article I read which I can't rememer where I saw it but he reviewed all the DSLR in this genre & said that it really wasn't worth it 2 buy anything more expensive in this category because you still end up with pretty much the same thing. After I bought the camera I also started reading about digital photography & getting down 2 the nitty gritty on how these cameras work & there is nothing in there 2 indicate that spending more money 4 a couple bells & whistles is worth it & that possibly the biggest difference would be in getting a camera with a full size sensor which bumps you up 2 over $2000.00. And even then it depends on what kind of pictures will be taken if that matters or not. And if you can't even really pin that down 4 yourself you probably really don't need 2 buy anything more than this.

The 6 Megapixel Nikon D40 is targeted 4 those who want a relatively compact & light camera yet having most of the important SLR features. The D40 is priced reasonably (cheaper than D50/D80 & Canon Rebel XTi). In my opinion, if you are still considering whether 2 get a point & shoot camera or a DSLR, the D40 will be a better choice than any point & shoot camera, by far, even those with 8MP or 10MP. But if you are already deciding 2 get a DSLR or you want more control of the picture taking experience, then I would recommend you 2 also test the D50 and/or D80 first before deciding 2 buy the D40. I want you 2 make sure that you know what you will get (and not get) with the D40. Don't get me wrong though, the D40 is an awesome camera, & I don't think you will regret buying one. There are some limitation with the D40 which shouldn't bother most people, 4 example, the D40 doesn't have dedicated button 2 change picture quality, white balance or ISO settings (which generally only professional/enthusiast will care). Once you understand (and accept) its limitation, the D40 is a potent & exciting photography machine.

Just like all its (DSLR) siblings, the D40 powers on instantly & take pictures with almost no shutter lag which are the major advantages of a DSLR over a point & shoot camera. In addition 2 the P,S,A,M mode, the picture quality of the auto settings (auto, child mode, landscape etc) are also very good. With 2.5 frames per second you can capture movement progress in sports like football, basketball, baseball etc. Also great 2 photograph your family or child (child mode). The D40 is a great all around camera.

Some notable new features:
1. Auto (no flash) mode. Without this mode the flash will pop-up (on all other pre-programmed mode) even when you don't want 2 use flash (which can be annoying). The internal flash will not pop up automatically with the P,S,A,M settings.
2. In camera editing capability such as black & white, sepia & some filter effects etc. While sounds gimmicky, these features are useful especially 4 those who doesn't have Adobe Photoshop (or other image editing software).

To date, D40 is the smallest & lightest among all the Nikon DSLR (even smaller than the Canon Rebel XT/XTi, however the D40 is more ergonomics). I believe that choosing a camera that fits comfortably with your hands is important. Therefore, I recommend people 2 test the camera before buying (even if you want 2 buy online, please do go 2 a physical store & test the camera first whenever possible).

The D40 has only 3 (horizontal) autofocus point (5 4 D50 & 11 4 D80). If you know "The Rule of Thirds", the additional AF points above & below the center focus point (available in D50 & D80) are handy 2 help create the horizontal third line. However, the 3 horizontal AF point in D40 is still helpful 2 create the vertical third line. Also one can focus with the middle AF point & after the focus is lock then move the frame upwards/downwards 2 create the horizontal third line. Just make sure the exposure level is still accurate when you move the frame after you lock the focus.

About the 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens: A good lens producing sharp photos (though not a very fast lens). Also decent 4 close-up/macro photography. Lens uses internal focus technology & focusing operation is silent. A very decent kit lens.

Lens compatibility: Notice that with D40, autofocus function will not work 4 non AF-S/AF-I lens. If you already have non AF-S/AF-I Nikon lenses & want a backup or replacement camera, you will be better off buying D50, D70s or D80. If you buy the D40, it will be convenient 2 stick with AF-S & AF-I type lenses. I'm not sure why Nikon choose this route 4 the D40 (whether 2 enable smaller size camera or from now on Nikon will only make AF-S lens compatible camera). There are a lot of good Nikon AF-S lenses (price range added: low, medium, high) that are fully compatible with the D40 such as:

- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (M)
- Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR (L)
- Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR (M)
- Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF AF-S DX (M)
- Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
- Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (H)
- Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (H)
- Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro (M)
- And several other expensive prime tele/zoom lens like 200-400mm, 300m, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm.

High priced lens ($1000+) are usually pro level lens which usually have better construction, faster (f-stop), & produce better quality picture. However, often times, lower price lens will serve your needs just fine. I think it is important 2 know what you want 2 use the camera 4 before deciding which camera & lens 2 buy.

Image quality of the D40 is very good which is #1 factor that I look 4 in a digital camera.

Here are the pros & cons of the D40 in my opinion:

Pros:
1. Nice out of the camera result picture quality
2. Affordable price
3. Compact size & light weight
4. Large & bright 2.5 inch LCD
5. 2.5 frames per second
6. B/W, Sepia, several more in-camera editing features.
7. Instant power on, fast autofocus & no shutter lag
8. Noise is acceptable at high ISO settings. Auto ISO settings available.
9. Great 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens.
10. Great battery life (400+ on a single charge. 1000+ if flash is not used).
11. Auto (flash off) mode available
12. 1/500 flash sync

Cons:
1. No direct button 2 change QUAL, WB & ISO settings
2. Grip comfortably but might be a bit too small 4 some people
3. No top LCD & no front command dial
4. Autofocus will not work with non AF-S or non AF-I lenses (such as the 70-300m G & 50mm f/1.8D lens)
5. No AF/MF switch (have 2 use the switch on the lens)
6. Only 3 autofocus point
7. 6 Megapixel (More Megapixel needed 2 print larger than 12 X 18 at 300 dpi)
8. No night landscape mode in pre-programmed settings
9. No in camera image stabilization (like Sony & Pentax) but Nikon has lenses with it (VR).
10. No depth-of-field preview button

In conclusion, the D40 is perfect 4 those who want high quality pictures, more control (than a point & shoot camera), & have a DSLR experience (instant power on & no shutter lag), without having 2 carry a bulky camera. And unless you are shooting sports/actions professionaly (which faster focusing processor, faster frames per second & larger memory buffer might be needed), the D40 is pretty much all you will need.

Happy Photographing!

Sidarta Tanu

Outstanding not only the camera & the accesories, the entire kit 2 be fair, but also the service (Cameta Camera & Amazon). This is my first time at Amazon & I can say I have had a great experience buying here. Do not hesitate, just buy this!

The Purchase was a worth with the distributer given a value 4 the price of the product.

Our previous camera was an Olympus digital camera, but it was not an SLR. My husband takes a great deal of wildlife pictures, & so we decided 2 save 4 an SLR outfitted with a zoom lens more powerful than what we had previously had. My husband & I did a lot of research on digital SLRs while we saved, & it was soon evident that we should focus our final decision primarily between the Olympus Evolt 510 & the Nikon D40. The introduction of the Nikon D60 was a factor in that the D40 is now being offered at a much lower price point, allowing us 2 get a lot of bang 4 our money.
We are just so pleased with this camera! The image quality is amazing, & we love the additional features that will allow us 2 be more creative with our photos than we ever could before. We have used both lenses that come with this kit, & if photography is a serious hobby 4 you, you will enjoy the flexibility that having two such lenses will give you. The shorter lens is perfect 4 shooting most events such as BBQ's, birthday parties, community fairs & festivals, & is perfect when people & beloved pets are the main subjects of your photos. The longer lens is great 4 panoramic views & wildlife photography, as it allows you 2 zoom in on objects from far away. You can adjust the angle of the lens 2 take in a wide view of a landscape, or you can zero in on your subject so that there is nothing 2 distract from the main subject of your photo. My husband is a birdwatcher, & has already used this camera in our back yard as well as on his favorite trails, & the pictures that have resulted are just jaw dropping. The color is better, the detail is incredible. Despite the incredible value of this kit, we were still a little nervous at spending the money, at first. Now we are glad we did. You get a lot with this kit, everything a serious hobbyist or even aspiring professional photographer would need 2 begin learning & using a digital SLR.

Kit includes: 1) Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera; 2) Nikon 18-55mm AF-S Lens; 3) Nikon 55-200mm AF-S Lens; 4) 4GB HC SecureDigital Class 6 (SDHC) Card; 5) USB SecureDigital Card Reader; 6) Image Recovery Software; 7) Nikon SLR System Case - Gadget Bag; 8) Memory Card Storage Wallet; 9) Precision Design 6-Piece Deluxe Cleaning Kit; 10) Cameta Microfiber Cleaning Cloth; ♦ The Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera unites brilliant performance of world-famous Nikkor lenses & the practicality of a remarkably small & light camera body. Key Features: Extraordinary Image Quality; Compact & Lightweight; Eight Easy-to-use Digital Vari-Program Modes; Compatible with Nikkor Lenses; Built-in Speedlight with i-TTL Automatic Flash Control; Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II; Fast & Accurate 3-Area Autofocus; Broad ISO Sensitivity Range & Metering System Options; Superb Performance; 2.5" Color LCD Monitor; Bright & Accurate SLR Viewfinder; Optional Infrared Remote; Advanced HELP menu system with Assist Images; In-Camera Image Editing; Long-lasting Battery; Includes PictureProject Software; Process your images like a Pro with Capture NX Software (optional); Photo Printing Made Simple with Direct Printing. ♦ The 18-55mm Lens provides superb versatility in a wide variety of shooting situations. It features a new compact rod-type Silent Wave Motor enabling autofocusing with exceptional accuracy. ED glass element achieves minimized chromatic aberration/ superior optical performance. Hybrid aspherical element also ensure high resolution & contrast. ♦ The Nikon 55-200mm VR Lens is a versatile & ultra-compact telephoto zoom lens that offers a 3.6x zoom range. Its 35mm-equivalent focal length, when used on a digital camera, is 82-300mm. The (VR) System allows handheld telephoto zoom shooting even in poorly lit conditions. It minimizes image blur caused by camera shake, & offers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed 3 stops (8 times) faster.