Great budget SLR (Nikon D40)

Member Name: robstott

Product:	Nikon D40
Date:	13/05/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use, great pics

Disadvantages: Over engineered, easy to lose lens cap.

Like most buyers of this camera, it was my first digital SLR. I was slightly nervous because of what seemed like a very low resolution (6.1 Mega Pixels). Since it was the only digital SLR I could afford though I decided to go ahead and buy. I have never regretted it!

Okay, it's lower resolution than many of it's competitors but I guess you have to think about what you're going to do with your pictures. I've printed one of my shots out at A3 and it looks fine so long as you're more than 6 inches away! That's good enough for me.

If you want 'point and click' functionality then the automatic setting is pretty reliable. However, there are enough presets for common scenarios - these will be familiar to most users of Nikon cameras and were identical to those on my battered Nikon digital compact camera. Also, of course, if you decide to get fancy then you can take manual control and play around as you see fit.

The only criticisms I have (and they're pretty minor) are that;

1) It doesn't come with a case
2) The lens cap, in my opinion, is very easy to lose and since it's over engineered (does a lens cap *really* need moving parts?) I expect it will be a hassle to replace if I do lose it.

They're minor quibbles though. On the whole this a great SLR and I love it - I'd recommend it to anyone looking for their first digital SLR.

Summary: A great entry level SLR - ideal for those moving up from a digital compact

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