Nikon’s New D40 DSLR

November 16, 2006: Nikon Australia has confirmed the existence of the entry-level Nikon D40 camera, which will replace the current D50 model at the beginning of December.
This consumer-focused, interchangeable-lens camera is the lightest and most compact model Nikon has yet produced. It comes with the same 6.1-megapixel CCD sensor as the D50 and inherits the image processing system from the D80. The rear body panel of the D40 sports a 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot TFT LCD monitor with a wide viewing angle and new EN-EL9 rechargeable lithium-ion battery. No data LCD panel is provided. The D40 has a bright pentamirror viewfinder with a magnification of 0.8x and 95% frame coverage. Diopter adjustment of -1.6 to +0.5 m^-1 is provided. The viewfinder display is comprehensive and covers key camera settings.

The camera body measures only 126 x 94 x 64mm and weighs just 475 grams. It’s made of moulded plastic with a stainless steel rear chassis and comfortable hand grip. A pop-up flash (GN approx. 13 in metres with ISO 100) is backed by a standard ISO 517 hot-shoe. A single command dial and multi selector are provided for adjusting camera settings. Image files are stored on an SD card and the camera supports both JPEG and NEF-RAW file capture. The NEF-RAW format is the same as the D50’s, making it compatible with current third-party browsers and converters.

The D40 supports ISO sensitivity settings equivalent to ISO 200-1600 plus an additional high-sensitivity mode that boosts sensitivity to the equivalent of ISO 3200. Noise reduction is automatically applied at high ISO settings. An advanced auto white balance control handles most lighting situations, but the D40 also offers six specific manual settings, as well as a preset (measurement) option. The mode dial carries settings for P, A, S and M shooting modes plus Nikon’s scene-optimised Digital Vari-Program modes, which cover Auto, Auto (Flash Off), Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sport, Close Up and Night Portrait pre-sets.
Nikon’s 3D Colour Matrix Metering II is provided in the new camera, with a 420-segment RGB sensor. Three 3.5mm spot metering areas are provided, corresponding to the camera’s autofocusing areas. Exposure evaluation algorithms have been inherited from the D80 model but Nikon has added new AE calculations for the D40’s Portrait mode to provide better exposure accuracy. The AF module is based on the same Multi-CAM module as the F55 and features a cross-type central sensor plus two flanking sensors in a linear array. New AF algorithms improve focus precision, detection, subject tracking and AF system response.
Nikon has redesigned the D40’s menu system to make it easy for novice DSLR users to operate and provides three interface choices: a new Graphic display that illustrates the effects of changes to settings, the Classic text and icon display found on the D50 and a Wallpaper setting that lets users upload a background shot from the pictures they have taken.

The Classic user interface.

Nikon’s new Graphic user interface, which shows users the effect of changing settings like lens aperture.

The Wallpaper option that lets users upload one of their own shots to use as background for the data display.

The standard shooting menu.
A new Retouch menu offers some handy in-camera image editing features including:
– Nikon’s D-Lighting, which automatically brings out detail from the dark areas of a scene;
– Red-eye correction, which locates red-eyes caused by a flash and corrects them automatically;
– Image Trim, which allows for creative cropping of an image and creates smaller files for easy e-mailing;
– Image Overlay for creating a composite image from two selected NEF-RAW images.
– Small Picture for automatically creating small files for emailing;
– Monochrome for producing Black-and-white, Sepia, Cyanotype (blue) pictures; and
– Filter Effects, which cover Skylight, Warm filter and Color balance.
Help screens can be called up almost anywhere in the menu system by pressing the button with a ‘?’ icon. It will display a brief text explanation of the control or shooting situation.

The D40 will be supplied with a new 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens.

The new slim, EN-EL9 battery pack provides enough power for approximately 470 shots in single-frame mode or 2,200 continuous shots.

The ML-L3 Wireless remote controller.
The D40 is fully compatible with all AF-S/AF-I Nikkor lenses but supports AF only with AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses that have built-in motors. In Australia it will be supplied with the new 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens for an RRP of $1099. Optional accessories include the ML-L3 Wireless Remote controller and EH5/EP-5 AC adapter and connector. The first cameras are scheduled to go on sale on 1 December. For details of stockists and more information on Nikon cameras and lenses, visit www.nikon.com.au.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Image Sensor: Nikon DX format RGB CCD, 23.7 x 15.6 mm; total photosites: 6.24 million (6.1 megapixels effective)

Image sizes: 3,008 x 2,000 [L], 2,256 x 1,496 [M], 1,504 x 1,000 [S]

File formats: Compressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression, JPEG: JPEG baseline compliant (Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 and DPOF)

Storage Media SD memory card, SDHC compliant

Sensitivity: ISO