Labs

The D40 has the lowest resolution of all the cameras here, but it's also the most affordable digital SLR currently available. It's relatively small and light, but not quite as comfortable in large hands as the bulkier models.

The resolution may be a turn off, but six megapixels is plenty for anything except A3 prints and heavy cropping, and besides, the D40 didn't embarrass itself for detail compared with the 10-megapixel

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SLRs. The lower resolution has a positive side, too. Because the sensor has the same 1.12in size as the 10-megapixel Nikon SLRs, more light hits each pixel, making it easier to measure accurately. The result is extremely low noise; the D40's photos at ISO 1600 look as clean and detailed as those from the best ultra-zoom cameras at ISO 200. Even at its highest sensitivity, which is labelled Hi 1 and equivalent to ISO 3200, it produced perfectly usable results on a par with those from the excellent Nikon D80.

The D40 is clearly designed for first-time SLR buyers, with onscreen graphics that play an educational role - flicking through the ISO speeds or drive modes presents a series of images showing where each setting might be used. It's a nice idea, but once newcomers have learnt the ropes they will wish for dedicated buttons.

There are a couple of other niggles shared with the D40x, but with no major flaws and a low price, the D40 is an excellent choice for those who can't afford Canon's EOS 400D.