Preview: Nikon D40X

March 6, 2007: Nikon will expand its DLSR line-up with the addition of the 10-megapixel D40X model, which is due for release in Australia next month.
Photo Review was given a hands-on preview of a pre-production model of the D40X late last week. The new camera’s body is almost identical to its sister model, the D40, and both cameras have very similar handling characteristics. However, the D40X offers higher resolution to satisfy photographers who want to print their images at A3+ size.

The D40X’s 10-megapixel imaging chip.

Internal circuitry including the D40X’s image processor.
The new camera also supports faster continuous shooting speeds (3 fps) for up to 100 JPEG shots and its higher capacity battery supports up to 520 shots per charge. The D40X’s Image Processing Engine, has been improved but it retains the Nikon 3D Colour Matrix Metering II and auto white balance system of the D40 model.

Three views of the new Nikon D40X.
Both cameras also share the same ergonomic control layout, bright viewfinder, 2.5-inch LCD monitor and user interface, which offers users three options: Classic, Graphic and Wallpaper. Data displays can be shown for the Digital Vari-Program modes as well as for the Program Auto, Shutter-priority Auto, Aperture-priority Auto and Manual modes. Eight Digital Vari-Program modes are provided: Auto, Auto (Flash Off), Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sport, Close Up and Night Portrait. A built-in Help menu is provided to assist novice users. Images are stored on SD cards.

The D40x without a lens, showing the mirror box.

The rear body panel is similar to that of the D40 but the Fn button has been moved to the front left side.
Other features include:
– Quick 0.18-sec. power-up to respond to every photographic opportunity.
– Variable Centre-weighted and Spot metering centered on the active focus area.
– Advanced three-area AF system and refined algorithms for fast, efficient and precise autofocus.
– Shutter speeds ranging from 30 seconds to 1/.4000 second plus Bulb.
– Automatic and manual control over ISO sensitivity from ISO 100 to 1600, as well as HI 1 (manual only).
– Simultaneous recording of NEF (RAW) and JPEG basic data for the same image.
– Built-in Flash with Nikon’s dependable i-TTL flash control, supporting Auto flash, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Rear curtain sync and Flash exposure compensation.
– In-camera Retouch menu offering D-lighting, Red-eye correction, Trim, Monochrome (Black-and-white, Sepia, Cyanotype), Filter effects (Skylight, Warm filter, Colour balance), Small picture and Image overlay.
– Full compatibility with AF-S and AF-I Nikkor lenses, which are equipped with an autofocus motor (Also compatible with most of the world-famous F-mount Nikkor lenses when in manual focus mode).
– Support for the Nikon Creative Lighting System when using the SB-800, SB-600, SB-400 SB-R200 or the R1C1 Wireless Close-Up Speedlight system for accurate exposures via iTTL flash and versatile wireless operation.

The D40X has the same GUI options as the D40….

… and the same shooting menu.
Like all Nikon cameras, the D40X is supplied with Nikon’s PictureProject software. Capture NX software is available separately. The D40X is expected to sell for $1399 with the 18-55mm AFS Nikkor lens. Two twin lens kits will be offered, each including a 55-200mm lens. Purchasers will be able to choose between a non-stabilised tele zoom lens and a lens with Nikon’s VR optical image stabilisation.

The twin lens kit will give purchasers a choice between a VR tele zoom and a 55-200mm lens without image stabilisation.
The new AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED that will be offered in the twin lens kit with the D40x (and other Nikon enthusiast DSLR cameras) is compact and light weight and features an ED glass element, Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) technology. The VR system minimises image vibration in the viewfinder, making shutter release timing and image composition easier. This enables users to shoot at approximately three stops slower than would otherwise be possible. Due for release next month, it is designed exclusively for use with Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras and is not compatible with 35mm (135) or IX240 format film cameras. Pricing has yet to be confirmed.

The D40X is compatible with Nikon Speedlights and supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System.

Supplied accessories include a high capacity lithium-ion battery and charger and camera strap. A semi-soft case, A/C adapter and remote control are available as optional accessories.
For more information on Nikon products, visit www.nikon.com.au.

D40X Specifications

Type of Camera: Single-lens reflex digital camera

Effective Pixels: 10.2 million

Image Sensor: RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 10.75 million, Nikon DX format

Image Size (pixels): 3,872 x 2,592 [L], 2,896 x 1,944 [M], 1,936 x 1,296 [S]

ISO Sensitivity: 100 to 1,600 in steps of 1 EV with additional setting one step over 1,600

Storage Media: SD memory card, SDHC compliant

Storage System: Compressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression, JPEG: JPEG baseline compliant

File System: Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 and DPOF

White Balance: Auto (TTL white-balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), six manual modes with fine-tuning and preset white balance

LCD Monitor: 2.5-in., 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment

Playback Function: 1 frame; Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments); Magnifying playback; Slide show; Histogram indication; Highlight point display; Auto image rotation

Delete Function: Card format, All frames delete, Selected frames delete

Video Output: NTSC or PAL

Interface: High-speed USB: Mass Storage and MTP/PTP selectable

Text Input: Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi selector; stored in Exif header

Compatible Lenses: Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts Type G or D AF Nikkor 1) AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported, 2) Other Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus, 3) PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D: Can only be used in mode M; all other functions supported except autofocus, 4) Other AF Nikkor/AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Colour Matrix Metering II, 5): Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster Note: IX Nikkor lenses can not be used

Picture Angle: Equivalent in 35mm [135] format is approx. 1.5 times lens focal length

Viewfinder: Fixed-eyelevel penta-Dach mirror type; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.7 to +0.5m-1)

Eyepoint: 18mm (-1.0 m-1)

Focusing Screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets

Viewfinder Frame Coverage: Approx. 95% (vertical/horizontal)

Viewfinder Magnification: Approx. 0.8x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m^-1

Viewfinder Information: Focus indications, AE lock indicator, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure/Exposure compensation indicator, Exposure mode, Flash output level compensation, Exposure compensation, Number of remaining exposures, Flash-ready indicator

Autofocus: TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM530 autofocus sensor module with AF-assist illuminator (range approximately 0.5-3.0m/1ft. 8in.-9ft. 10in.); Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20 °C/68 °F)

Lens Servo: Autofocus (AF): Instant single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous servo AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status, 2) Manual focus (M)

Focus Area: n be selected from three focus areas

AF Area Modes: Single Area AF, 2) Dynamic Area AF, 3) Dynamic Area AF with Closest Subject Priority

Focus Lock: cus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button

Exposure Metering System: TTL exposure metering system: 1) 3D Colour Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Colour Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-pixel RGB sensor; 2) Centre-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm circle in centre of frame; 3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centred on active focus area

Exposure Metering Range: 1) 0 to 20 EV (3D Colour Matrix or center-weighted metering), 2) 2 to 20 EV (spot metering)

Exposure Modes: Digital Vari-program (Auto, Auto [Flash Off], Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto (S); Aperture Priority Auto (A); Manual (M)

Exposure Compensation: ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV

Exposure Lock: Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button

Shooting Modes: 1) Single frame shooting mode, 2) Continuous shooting mode: approx. 3 frames per second*, 3) Self-timer mode, 4) Delayed remote mode: 2 s. delay, 5) Quick-response remote mode. *The fastest frame rates can be achieved by choosing manual focus, rotating the mode dial to S or M and selecting a shutter speed of 1/250 s. or faster, using defaults for all other settings.

Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter, 30 to 1/4000 s. in steps of 1/3 EV, bulb

Sync Contact: X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/200 s.

Flash Control: 1) TTL: TTL flash control by 420-pixel RGB sensor. i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR and standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR available when CPU lens is used with built-in flash, SB-800, SB-600, and SB-400, 2) Auto aperture: Available with SB-800 with CPU lens, 3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22s , 4) Range-priority manual: Available with SB-800

Flash Sync Modes: AUTO, Portrait, Child, Close Up: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction; fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight

Night portrait: Auto, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction; slow sync and slow sync with red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight

Landscape, Sport: Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight

P, A: Fill-flash, rear-curtain with slow sync, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction

S, M: Fill-flash, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction

Built-in Flash: AUTO, Portrait, Child, Close Up, Night Portrait: Auto flash with auto pop-up; P/S/A/M: Manual pop-up with button release; Guide number (ISO 100, m /ft.): approx. 12/39 (manual full 13/42)

Flash Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV

Accessory Shoe: Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with sync, signal, and ground contacts and safety lock

Self-timer: Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 s.

Remote Control: Via Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 (optional)

Power Source: One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9; charging voltage (Quick Charger MH-23): 7.4V DC, AC Adapter EH-5 (available separately; requires optional AC Adapter Connector EP-5)

Tripod Socket: 1/4 in. (ISO1222)

Dimensions (W x D x H): Approx. 126 x 64 x 94mm (5.0 x 2.5 x 3.7 in.)

Weight: Approx. 495g (1lb. 1oz.) without battery, memory card or body cap

Supplied Accessories: Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9, Quick Charger MH-23, USB Cable UC-E4, PictureProject, Rubber Eyecup DK-16, Camera Strap, Body Cap BF-1A, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Accessory Shoe Cap BS-1

Optional Accessories Wireless Remote Control ML-L3, Capture NX, Camera Control Pro, AC Adapter Connector EP-5, AC Adapter EH-5, Video Cable EG-D100, Semi Soft-Case CF-DC1, Speedlight SB-800, SB-600, SB-400 and R1C1