Nikon has unveiled an all-new entry-level digital SLR, designed to meet the needs of new and family SLR users. Priced at an expected £449, the 6MP D40 sports core Nikon technologies in a body style smaller and lighter than all previous Nikon models.

Powered by a Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor and Nikon Image Processing Engine, the D40 will also offer 3D Colour Matrix Metering II and a 420-pixel sensor. Spot metering, centre-weighted metering and exposure compensation are also available for those wanting more control.

The D40 will not be available as a body only package. Instead it will come kitted with the new 3x 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens which offers a wide-angle to medium telephoto range. Equipped with a metal Nikon F-mount, the D40 will be fully compatible with AF-S and AF-I lenses.

New functions include Auto ISO, a feature that automatically sets the ISO from 200 to 1600. A Manual setting is also available to enable the photographer to set the ISO at HI 1 (one step over 1600), for use in low-light situations without flash. The D40 incorporates Nikon’s Multi-CAM530 autofocus module and a 3-area autofocus. The refined algorithms that control lens autofocus are inherited from Nikon?s D200 and D80 digital SLRs.

Claiming a start up time of 0.18 seconds, the D40 offers a viewfinder with 0.8x magnification and a 2.5-inch LCD. A simplified menu system with a help manual is also on hand to help those new to SLR photography. There are eight shooting modes to choose from including a new Auto (Flash Off) setting. This prevents the built-in flash from popping up while boosting the ISO. For more advanced creative control, the D40 offers Program Auto, Shutter-Priority Auto, Aperture-Priority Auto and Manual modes. A Retouch menu additionally offers in-camera image editing features including D-Lighting, Red-eye Correction and Image Trim.

The D40?s Built-in Flash employs Nikon?s I-TTL flash control, which promises greater precision in flash exposure evaluation and better automatic flash balance. For flash photography of subjects at greater distances, a new, light and ultra-compact SB-400 Speedlight will also be available.

The D40 represents Nikon?s 12th DSLR launch, and will sit alongside the more advanced Nikon D80 at the consumer end of Nikon?s SLR line-up. The D50 camera will continue to retail alongside the D40 until stocks run out in coming months.

Key features

• The lightest, most compact Nikon digital SLR ever, featuring more intuitive controls and an ergonomically designed to suit first time SLR users.
• A 2.5-inch LCD monitor enables image preview at up to 19 times magnification (for L-size images), while large fonts and easy-to-view menus with colour schemes are designed to help make changing camera settings simple
• Large viewfinder with 0.8x magnification
• Long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery allows up to 470 images* in single-frame shooting mode on a single charge (*CIPA standard, with Built-in Flash used for 50% of the shots)
• Optional AC Adapter EH-5 allows longer periods for shooting (an AC Adapter Connector EP-5 is required, available separately)
• Handy assist images are available to help the photographer choose the right settings for each scene
• Optional Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 enables remote shutter release

Key image quality stats

• 6.1-effective-megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD imaging sensor produces 3,008 x 2,000-pixel images
• Inherits the advanced, industry-leading Imaging Processing Engine of Nikon professional D-SLR cameras
• Nikon 3D Colour Matrix Metering II automatic exposure control. Variable centre-weighted metering and spot metering centred on the active focus area are also available.
• Auto White Balance for natural colouration, plus a choice of six different manual white balance settings, (Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, and Shade), or user-defined preset white balance

Key performance specifications

• 0.18-second power-up
• Continuous shooting at 2.5 frames per second allows capturing action of up to 100 JPEG images (FINE L-size or smaller)
• 3-area AF system and the refined algorithms inherited from more advanced Nikon digital SLR cameras
• Versatile shutter speed control with a range from 30 to 1/4000 s, plus bulb

Auto and manual controls

• Eight Digital Vari-Programs adjust settings automatically, controlling ISO sensitivity, white balance, sharpening, tone (contrast), colour, saturation and hue. Selections include Auto, Auto (Flash Off), Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, and Night Portrait.
• For manual controls over shutter and aperture, P (Program auto), S (Shutter-priority auto), A (Aperture-priority auto) and M (Manual) modes are also available
• Automatic control over ISO-equivalent sensitivity from ISO 200 to 1600 plus HI 1 can also be set manually
• Simultaneous recording of NEF (RAW) and JPEG (Basic) data
• Built-in Flash features iTTL flash control with four flash modes: Auto flash, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync and Rear curtain sync. Flash exposure compensation is also available.



Nikon D40 Specifications

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Effective Pixels: 6.1 million

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Image Sensor: RGB CCD, 23.7 x 15.6 mm; total pixels: 6.24 million, Nikon DX format

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Image Size (pixels): 3,008 x 2,000 [L], 2,256 x 1,496 [M], 1,504 x 1,000 [S]

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ISO Sensitivity: 200 to 1,600 in steps of 1 EV with additional setting one step over 1600

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Storage Media: SD memory card, SDHC compliant

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

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LCD Monitor: 2.5-in., 230,000-dot, LCD with brightness adjustment

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Compatible Lenses: Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts.

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

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

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

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

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Focus Area: Can be selected from 3 focus areas

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AF Area Modes: 1) Single Area AF, 2) Dynamic Area AF, 3) Dynamic Area AF with Closest Subject Priority

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Exposure Metering System:
TTL full-aperture 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-segment 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

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

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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; Aperture Priority Auto; Manual

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

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Shooting Modes: 1) Single frame shooting mode, 2) Continuous shooting mode: approx. 2.5 frames per second, 3) Self-timer mode, 4) Delayed remote mode: 2 s. delay, 5) Quick-response remote mode

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Shutter: Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter, 30 to 1/4000 secs. in steps of 1/3, bulb

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

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

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

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Weight: Approx. 475g (1lb. 1oz.) without battery, memory card or body cap

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