The 6-megapixel Nikon D40 model cannot be upgraded, and the D80 cannot be replaced with the Nikon D40x. So instead, it awkwardly balances between the two models, broadening Nikon’s selection of enthusiast and enthusiast-priced SLRs.
It is a D80 sensor housed in a D40 housing—an odd turn for Nikon and a difficult decision for someone purchasing a DSLR for the first time.
Nikon D40X 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
- 10.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for large, photo-quality prints
- 2.5-inch LCD monitor; 170-degree viewing angle
- 3D Color Matrix Metering II for ideal exposures in almost any lighting condition
- Image optimization functions and in-camera image retouching
- 10.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for large, photo-quality prints
- 2.5-inch LCD monitor; 170-degree viewing angle
- 3D Color Matrix Metering II for ideal exposures in almost any lighting condition
- Image optimization functions and in-camera image retouching
- Automatic Exposure with 8 Digital Vari-Program modes
When comparing the D40x to the D40, the higher sensor resolution is the only discernible change. In every other way, the camera’s layout, features, and controls resemble Nikon’s entry-level model.
The higher resolution comes with a significant price premium of £200, so the D40x has much to live up to. Not to mention that the Canon EOS 400D, one of the Nikon 40x’s main competitors, is now being sold for about £100 less than the D40x.
The Nikon D40x DSLR camera, unveiled barely four months after its predecessor, is nearly identical to the D40 except for one significant difference: its 10.2-megapixel sensor, which was directly lifted from the D80, as opposed to the D40’s 6 megapixels.
Due to the new sensor, the ISO range begins at ISO 100 and extends to ISO 3200. The D40x also uses the shutter mechanism from the more costly D80, resulting in a slower flash sync speed (1/200 on the D40x vs. 1/500 on the D40) but a slightly higher continuous shooting speed of 3fps (2.5fps on the older D40).
The D40x is essentially a 10-megapixel D40 with a few minor changes. However, the extra megapixels come at a higher price, and, more importantly, it now competes with the Canon Digital Rebel XTi/400D and the Sony Alpha A100.
If you’re upgrading from a compact digital camera to a more “serious” DSLR, the Nikon D40x is still a solid choice. However, are the additional megapixels worth the extra cost?
Effortless Use
You can immediately tell why the Nikon D40x is so inexpensive when you first take it out of the package. It is incredibly lightweight because of its all-plastic design, mainly if you have previously used a more costly DSLR. The included 18-55mm kit lens, built entirely of plastic, is the same.
Fit the body and lens together, and everything makes much more sense, even if you are still unsure about your purchase decision. Suddenly, you are left with a well-balanced product that is light by DSLR standards but doesn’t feel skimpy or insignificant.
Additionally, Nikon refrained from shrinking the D40x to the same size as some of its primary competitors, namely the Canon EOS Rebel XTi/400D and the Olympus E-400. Instead, the D40x follows in the footsteps of the earlier D50, maintaining a thick handgrip and a “business-like” appearance that is more practical than attractive.
The D40x is undoubtedly made for “regular” hands, which helps to dispel the initial impression that the camera is overly lightweight and plasticky.
The D40x is a pretty complex camera in terms of functionality and the Number of external controls it offers, with about 16 in total and some having more than one function, despite being targeted at new digital SLR owners.
The Nikon D40x has a lot of buttons and switches, but it doesn’t feel overly cluttered or scary, and using it quickly becomes second nature. When handling, the D40x is pleasant. I could grasp the camera with three fingers and operate the shutter button with my right forefinger thanks to the deep, curved handgrip coated in a rubberized compound on the right side of the device.
Your right thumb sits in a small, curved space; the remainder of the body is covered in gleaming, smooth black plastic. The Nikon D40x’s regular 18-55mm kit lens snaps into place with a comforting mechanical click and seems well-balanced on the camera.
You will either love or despise the Nikon D40x’s shutter release movement because it is loud and mechanical. I enjoyed it, but it’s not the best for candid close-up photography because your subject might hear you if you get too close.
Overall, the Nikon D40x is expertly constructed and created. The Nikon D40x is a typical DSLR, with a shooting mode dial on top of the camera that lets you choose between seven scene settings or an advanced mode like aperture priority.
The Exposure Compensation and Info buttons are positioned close to the shutter button. To change the settings, intuitively hold down the Exposure Compensation button with your right forefinger and rotate the dial on the top rear of the camera with your thumb.
Image Quality
The 10M Fine JPEG mode, which results in an average image size of about 2.5 MB, was used to capture all of the sample photographs in this review.
Noise
The Nikon D40x has six ISO levels you can choose from when the camera is in shooting mode. There is essentially no audible noise at ISO 100, 200, and 400, which are the slowest settings. At ISO 800, noise begins to appear, but even at ISO 1600, it is still relatively well controlled.
At the fastest speed of ISO 3200, as you might anticipate, a lot of detail is lost, and the photographs have a “painted” appearance, but they are still excellent for small print sizes.
Nikon D40x Specifications
| Body color | Black or Silver |
|---|---|
| Sensor | • 23.7 x 15.6 mm CCD sensor • Nikon DX format (1.5x FOV crop) • 10.2 million effective pixels • 10.8 million total pixels • RGB Color Filter Array • 12-bit A/D converter |
| Image sizes | • 3872 x 2592 (Large, 10.0 MP) • 2896 x 1944 (Medium, 5.6 MP) • 1936 x 1296 (Small, 2.5 MP) |
| Image quality | • NEF (12-bit compressed RAW) • JPEG fine • JPEG normal • JPEG basic • NEF (RAW) + JPEG basic |
| Color space | • IIIa (sRGB – more green for colorful landscapes) default • Ia (sRGB) • II (Adobe RGB) |
| Lens mount | Nikon F mount (with AF contacts) |
| Lens compatibility | Type G or D AF Nikkor• AF-S, AF-I • Other Type G or D AF Nikkor • PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D• Other AF Nikkor*2/AI-P Nikkor• Non-CPU• IX Nikkor- All functions supported – All functions supported except autofocus – Can only be used in mode M; all other functions supported except autofocus – All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II – Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster – Can not be used |
| Autofocus | • Three-area TTL phase detection • Nikon Multi-CAM530 autofocus module • Only with AF-S or AF-I lenses • Detection range: EV -1 to +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at standard temperature) |
| Lens servo | • Single-servo AF (AF-S) • Continuous-servo AF (AF-C) • Automatic AF-S/AF-C (AF-A) • Manual focus (M) |
| AF Area mode | • Single Area AF • Dynamic Area AF • Closest Subject Priority Dynamic Area AF |
| Focus tracking | Predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in continuous-servo AF |
| Focus area | One of three areas can be selected |
| Focus lock | Focus can be locked by pressing the shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing the AE-L/AF-L button |
| AF Assist | White light lamp |
| Exposure mode | • Digital Vari-program – Auto – Flash off – Portrait – Landscape – Child – Sports – Close up – Night portrait • Programmed auto (P) with a flexible program • Shutter-priority auto (S) • Aperture-priority auto (A) • Manual (M) |
| Metering | TTL full-aperture exposure metering system • 3D color matrix metering II • 420 segment RGB sensor • Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to an 8mm circle in the center of the frame • Spot: Meters 3.5 mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on the active focus area |
| Metering range | • EV 0 to 20 (3D color matrix or center-weighted metering) • EV 2 to 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20 °C) |
| Meter coupling | CPU coupling |
| Exposure compen. | • +/- 5.0 EV • 1/3 EV steps |
| AE Lock | Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button |
| AE Bracketing | None |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200 equiv. (HI 1) |
| Auto ISO options | • On/Off • Maximum ISO (200, 400, 800, or 1600) • Minimum shutter speed (1 to 1/125 sec) |
| Shutter | • Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter • 30 to 1/4000 sec (1/3 EV steps) • Flash X-Sync: up to 1/200 sec • Bulb |
| White balance | • Auto (TTL white-balance with 420 pixels RGB sensor) • Six manual modes with fine-tuning o Incandescent o Fluorescent o Direct sunlight o Flash o Cloudy o Shade • Preset white balance (immediate or from photo) |
| WB fine-tuning | Yes |
| Image parameters | • Preset modes: Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, B&W • Sharpening: Auto, six levels • Tone: Auto, five levels, Custom curve • Color mode: Ia (sRGB), II (Adobe RGB), IIIa (sRGB) • Saturation: Auto, three levels • Hue: -9° to +9° |
| Viewfinder | • Optically fixed eye-level • Penta-mirror type • Built-in diopter adjustment (-1.7 to +0.5 m-1) • Eyepoint: 18 mm (at -1.0 m-1) • Frame coverage 95% (approx.) • Viewfinder magnification approx. 0.8x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1 • Focusing screen: Type B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets |
| Viewfinder information | Focus indications, AE/FV 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 |
| LCD monitor | • 2.5″ TFT LCD • 230,000 pixel |
| Built-in Flash | • Auto pop-up in Auto, Vari-program modes • Manual pop-up in P, S, A, or M modes • Guide number approx. 17 at ISO 200 |
| Sync contact | X-contact only; Flash synchronization at shutter speeds of up to 1/200 sec |
| Flash control | • TTL Flash control by 420-segment 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-400, SB-800, and SB-600 • Auto aperture with SB-800 and CPU lenses • Non-TTL auto with SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27 and 22s • Range-priority manual with SB-800 |
| Flash mode | • Auto, Portrait, Child, Close-up: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction; fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight • Night portrait: Auto, slow auto sync, slow auto sync with red-eye reduction; slow sync and slow sync with a red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight • Landscape, Sports: Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight • P, A modes: Fill Flash, rear-curtain with slow sync, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction • S, M modes: Fill Flash, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction |
| Flash compensation | • -3 to +1 EV • 1/3 steps |
| Nikon Creative Lighting system | Supported with built-in Flash, SB-400, SB-800, and SB-600; Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-800 or SU-800 as Commander. |
| Shooting modes | • Single frame shooting (S) mode • Continuous shooting (C) mode: approx. 3.0 frames per second (slower with NR) • Self-timer/remote control mode. |
| Continuous buffer | • JPEG: Limited only by storage • RAW: Approx. 9 frames (shooting continues at a slower rate) |
| Self-timer | • 2, 5, 10, or 20 sec |
| Remote control | • Remote Control ML-L3 (optional, Infrared) • Camera Control Pro software (optional) |
| Text input | Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input are available with LCD monitor and multi-selector, stored in EXIF header |
| Playback functions | • Full frame • Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments) • Zoom (magnified) • Slideshow • Histogram indication • Shooting data • Highlight point display • Auto image rotation |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Storage | • Secure Digital / Secure Digital HC • FAT / FAT32 • Supports firmware update via SD card |
| Video output | NTSC or PAL selectable |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) • Mass storage / PTP selectable • Video out • DC-IN (optional AC adapter and adapter connector) |
| Languages | Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish |
| Power | Lithium-Ion battery pack EN-EL9 (7.4 V, 1000 mAh) |
| Working environment | • 0 to 40°C (32 to 104°F) • Less than 85% humidity |
| Dimensions | 126 x 94 x 64 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 in) |
| Weight (no batt) | 471 g (1.0 lb) |
| Weight (inc. batt) | 522 g (1.2 lb) |
| 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-800/600/T041/R1C1 |
Overall Conclusion
Nikon D40X 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
- 10.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for large, photo-quality prints
- 2.5-inch LCD monitor; 170-degree viewing angle
- 3D Color Matrix Metering II for ideal exposures in almost any lighting condition
- Image optimization functions and in-camera image retouching
- 10.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for large, photo-quality prints
- 2.5-inch LCD monitor; 170-degree viewing angle
- 3D Color Matrix Metering II for ideal exposures in almost any lighting condition
- Image optimization functions and in-camera image retouching
- Automatic Exposure with 8 Digital Vari-Program modes
When Nikon sent me the D40X press releases, no one was more shocked than I was. Except for a base ISO 100 sensitivity and 3.0 fps shooting speed, Nikon was set to announce a ten-megapixel version of the six-megapixel D40 camera, which had been available for less than four months.
The fact that the D40 went from six to 10 megapixels in just four months raises the obvious question: why didn’t Nikon issue the D40X in the first place? Why wasn’t the ten-megapixel sensor ready sooner? Did they have any remaining inventory of the “vintage” six-megapixel sensor? Unfortunately, I probably never will we find out.
But one thing is sure: the new model is positioned to compete with Canon’s EOS 400D, the most prominent digital SLR on the market (Digital Rebel XTi). On paper, it checks all the boxes; the only things it lacks are a physical dust reduction mechanism, a vertical hand grip option, and a limited ability to change image parameters.
As with the D40, devoted Nikon users may also be let down by the body’s absence of a focus motor, which prevents many non-AF-S/AF-I lenses (including some of Nikon’s most excellent prime lenses) from autofocusing.
The D40 also has other drawbacks, such as when I shot RAW+JPEG, I only received JPEGs of Basic quality. As with most recent digital SLRs, automatic white balance was something you should only use in natural light, and I wouldn’t say I liked that there wasn’t a dedicated ISO or WB button on the camera (yes, you can program the Fn button, but I would have thought it more logical to use the four-way controller on the rear from day one). Other factors, like the absence of bracketing, depth-of-field preview, and fixed exposure stages, will be less significant to D40 owners.
Everything we liked about the D40’s operation and performance applies to the D40X as well: quick start-up speeds, quick responses, good autofocus, and a snappy shutter button that makes you want to take more photos.
The D40X is one of the simplest digital SLRs to “carry around,” thanks to its small size without sacrificing ergonomics or comfort. As a result, it won’t strain your neck or cause your back to hurt.
Nikon D40x Price
Nikon D40x FAQs
How old is a Nikon D40x?
As of March 2023, the Nikon D40x will have been around for 16 years, as it was first released in March 2007.
Is Nikon D40x suitable for beginners?
Because of its straightforward interface and user-friendliness, the Nikon D40x is widely regarded as an excellent camera for novice photographers. This is because it makes it much simpler for inexperienced photographers to pick up photography fundamentals.
What is the cost of a camera D40x?
The Nikon D40x can be purchased in various places, each of which may offer a slightly different price contingent on the camera’s situation.
However, because it is an older model, you might be able to locate it on the used market for a more affordable price, potentially somewhere between $100 and $200.
How many megapixels is the Nikon D40x?
A camera with 10.2 megapixels can be found in the Nikon D40x.
