Product Reviews

As far as appearances are concerned, the new Nikon D40x looks very similiar to the five-month-old 6 megapixel D40, apart from the badge to the right of the lens throat. It's also bundled with the same excellent kit lens, the Nikon-made AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II zoom. So how does the D40x hope to pry you away from its rivals?

The camera's main component is a brand-new 10 megapixel CCD image sensor. This is slightly odd given that Nikon had two other 10 megapixel sensors to choose from, those used in the D80 and the D200. Nevertheless, continuous shooting rates have been increased from 2.5 frames per second (fps) to a respectable 3fps, although that's still only on a par with its Canon Eos 400D and the Sony Alpha A100 rivals.

The new model has an expanded sensitivity range that offers a new 100 ISO option, but more importantly retains the H1 (3200 ISO equivalent) sensitivity setting of the D40. This bestows the D40x with the highest sensor sensitivity in its class. All current Canon digital SLR sensors adopt a proprietary CMos design, boasting on-chip noise reduction circuitry and low levels of noise. However, the introduction of 10 megapixel sensors, and now the D60+, means that Canon's lead in noise reduction has been eroded significantly.

Like all Nikon digital SLRs, the D40x adopts an APS-C sensor with a 1.5x effective magnification in the focal length of any Nikon-fit lenses attached. Older Nikon lenses designed for 35mm cameras and the new digital-only DX lenses will fit, but like the D40, the new model drops the internal focusing motor of earlier AF Nikon bodies. Only AF-S and some pro-level AF-I designated optics with internal focusing motors allow AF, which may be a shortcoming for some users. There are several practical benefits, though. First, AF is generally faster with the new lenses and the camera's size and weight have been drastically reduced compared with earlier offerings - and without any obvious ill-effects on build or durability. The camera's small size doesn't compromise its balance, and its sizeable handgrip proves compact digital SLRs needn't be uncomfortable to use.

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The D40x inherits the same rugged build of the original, so feels slightly more robust than its rivals. We also like the larger-than-average buttons, which are easier to find with cold fingers or when wearing gloves.

We had no real complaints about the speed of operation of the D40: our only concern was you have to select most of the camera's features from the menu, and it's no different with the D40x. Like rival digital SLRs, the D40x uses its rear LCD for all playback, camera status and menu selection duties, but it differs by having more complex access to features. The detailed 2.5in panel lacks the auto-switching feature of a proximity sensor found on both the Sony and Canon cameras, thereby adding another step to the selection process. After calling up the data screen, you still have to select a second window before you can navigate to the appropriate feature. Also unchanged is the three-point autofocus system, which is particularly poor compared with the nine-point array in the Eos 400D.

One of the highlights, though, has to be the superb viewfinder: images are big and bright, and checking focusing is easy, even in low light. It's easily outperforms its rivals in this respect. We also admire Nikon's automatic iTTL flash capability, which is superbly efficient and gives incredible results. Not only is the built-in flash almost impossible to fool, preventing clipped highlights even when hastily composing a shot at close range, but you can use optional SB800 flash units wirelessly to give balanced exposure in what would otherwise be a complex and difficult lighting setup.

Similar to the Eos 400D's Picture Styles, you can apply different parameter settings to out-of-camera Jpegs, although these are buried in the main menu. Image quality is great and easily on a par with rival models -certainly noise levels are impressively low and the 3200 ISO option is usable in an emergency. Outdoors, the auto-white balance is reasonable, but it's important to realise the default colour space using the advanced shooting modes has an extended green gamut that's more suitable for landscapes. As well as Adobe RGB, a third colour option, mode 1a, is more suited for portraits.

It's faintly annoying that the D40x doesn't improve on the original's meagre three-point AF system and menu-dependent operation. Compared with the Sony and Canon offerings, it's also slightly disappointing that Nikon hasn't managed to include any in-camera sensor cleaning this time round, and you'll still have to budget an extra £212 plus VAT for an image-stabilised lens. Nevertheless, with the new sensor, Nikon's great build and vastly superior viewfinder, the D40x is well worth a closer look.