Nikon D40 (2006–2009)

A compact 6.1-megapixel digital SLR designed as Nikon’s entry-level DSLR, released in late 2006.

Overview

The Nikon D40 is a digital SLR camera introduced by Nikon in November 2006 and shipped starting November 30, 2006. It replaced the D50 as Nikon’s entry-level DSLR and was positioned below the D80 and D200 in the lineup. The D40 was notable for being Nikon's smallest DSLR at the time and introduced on-screen tips for novice photographers. It lacks an in-body autofocus motor, requiring AF-S or AF-I lenses for autofocus. The camera was succeeded by the Nikon D60 in 2008 and remained on the market until late 2009.

Specifications

Sensor resolution	6.1 megapixels
Sensor pixel dimensions	3,008 x 2,000 pixels
Continuous shooting speed	2.5 frames per second
ISO range	200 - 1600 (Hi 1 mode: 3200)
Flash sync speed	1/500 second
Battery	EN-EL9
Kit lens	AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G II
LCD screen	2.5-inch, 230,000-dot TFT-LCD
Autofocus points	3 AF points
Metering	Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot (420-segment 3-D Color Matrix)
Exposure modes	Program, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, Manual, Auto, Auto (Flash Off), Portrait, Landscape, Kid, Sports, Close-Up, Night Portrait
Shutter speed	1/4,000 - 30 seconds, Bulb
File formats	JPG, NEF (12-bit compressed)
Storage media	SD cards
Connectivity	USB 2.0
Remote control	Wireless ML-L3
Viewfinder magnification	0.44x (with 28mm lens)
Viewfinder coverage	95%
Lens mount	Nikon F-mount
Dimensions	126 mm × 94 mm × 64 mm
Weight (body only)	475 g (16.8 oz)

Design

Context

The D40 was announced on November 16, 2006, and positioned as Nikon’s new entry-level DSLR. The D40x, a variant with a 10.2MP sensor and base ISO 100, was announced in 2007 to compete with the Canon Rebel XTi on banner specifications. Despite the D40x’s higher resolution, some reviewers preferred the D40 for its lower cost, faster flash sync speed, and higher base ISO.

Market

Common issues reported include lens attachment problems, unresponsive shutter buttons, memory card errors, broken LCD screens, and autofocus motor failure. In current resale markets, body-only units sell for $40–50, while kits with lens typically fetch $70–80.