Nikon D40

Advantages: Lightweight and compact, easy to use in "Auto" mode
Disadvantages: comes without memory card

...kept separate, I bought the Nikon D40 "kit" which is essentially the camera body, a AFS DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED 2 lens, neck strap, a USB cable (for connection to your PC) battery charger and mains lead, battery, 2 CD's containing software, quick start guide, warranty certificates and instruction book. And then the slow realisation that there was no memory card. So I can't use it until I buy one, a minor irritation but I would have thought ...
...kit (airbrush and cloth) a Nikon infra red remote, a tripod and a decent bag to carry the kit around in. The battery life is excellent, and the 2GB memory card more than enough for my needs so I only bought a spare memory card, as I don't have a need for a spare battery (yet) So, to quickly sum up, I bought one of the "digital field guide" books and am still reading it, and I have no hesitation on recommending this camera to anybody wanting to take ... Read review

Advantages: A superb camera
Disadvantages: None

...then progressed to a 6mp Nikon "point and shoot". Finally decided it was time to move up to a DSLR, did a lot of research and went for the D40 - Why ? Firstly, the name: If it says Nikon on it, it is a quality camera - nuff said ! Why did I go for a camera with ONLY 6 mp ? Because there is more rubbish talked about the number of pixels in a camera than there is about anything else. You only need to go to 8/10/12 mp if you are making VERY large ...
...camera like this, but the Nikon battery just goes on for ever, despite having to power the electronics, the mirror, shutter, a large screen and the auto focus motor. I use a 2gb card (none supplied with camera) which holds 560+ photos at "best" jpeg quality, if you reduce the quality you double or quadruple that quantity. The camera will take a 4gb card, but I have read that there are compatibility issues with some cards of this size. If you get ... Read review

Advantages: Price, durability, ergonomic design, ease of use, good instructions!
Disadvantages: No memory card included. Argh.

...ISO also applies, and the Nikon Processing engine is the same as the D80 or the D200, with 420 pixel sensor on the 3D Color Matrix Metering. If this all sounds a bit beyond you, the camera ALSO offers lots of helpful and accessible functions like "in-camera retouching". This is just to help you improve your photos BEFORE you take them - the LCD monitor will tell you if your scene is too dark and you need to use the flash (I am so guilty of this). ...
...used across a variety of Nikon models - probably your current Nikon uses the same). I've read some pretty positive comments about the battery life - I would say average. HOWEVER, there is NO MEMORY CARD INCLUDED. I cannot stress this enough - it's the one big irritation in the specification. The camera is still definitely worth getting, but you do need to budget for a card (and probably if you buy this card you'll need a reasonably big one). The ... Read review

Advantages: Affordable, Lightweight, Easy To Use
Disadvantages: Only 6.1 Megapixels

The Nikon D40 was my first Digital SLR and second digital camera. I use it for special occasions and also for holidays. I wouldn't say that the D40 is an everyday point and shoot camera, though if you set it to auto it will do focus, shutter setting, apperature and all other settings. The screen is good for viewing all photos you have taken and can also edit the photo with clever tricks like cropping. It is 2.5 Inch which I find to be standard ...
...fall. Nobody can praise Nikon enough for what they have done. They have released a small, light, affordable Digital SLR. You can set the camera to many settings depending on what you want to do: AUTO - The camera will Do everything for you. Including flash and focus. AUTO NO FLASH - The camera will do everything without a flash. AUTO PORTRAIT - The camera will set its settings to take a portrait. AUTO LANDSCAPE - The camera will set its settings ... Read review

Having bought this camera 2 weeks ago, and with no previous knowledge of photography, I found this camera incredibly easy to use. Obviously there is the Automatic mode for a total beginner, but the manual that comes with the camera is very thorough, and expalins why and when you would use the other modes. The camera itself appears sturdy, and is well balanced in my hands. No complaints so far.