Nikon D40 SLR Review



Features & Controls (cont.)
Control on the grip include the shutter release with the main power switch mounted around it.
Next are the info and exposure compensation buttons. Press the info button to call up or
dismiss the Shooting Information display (described below) on the LCD. Last we have the Mode
dial used for selecting the desired exposure mode.
![]() The mode dial has the usual positions for AUTO, "P"rogram AE, "S"hutter speed priority, "A"perture priority and "M"anual exposure modes as well as the Digital Vari-Program modes for Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up and Night Portrait.
Digital Vari-Program modes automatically optimize white balance, sharpening, tone
(contrast), color, saturation and hue for optimal results according to the type of picture
you're taking. For example, select Portrait mode and the camera will automatically enhance
the image with beautiful skin tones, complimentary edge sharpening and soft background focus
that highlights your subject.
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Controls on the Back
The Shooting Information display. This acts much like the small data LCDs on many dSLRs, displaying values for focus area, AF-area mode, shutter speed, aperture, EV compensation, Flash compensation, shooting mode, ISO sensitivity, White balance, metering mode, etc. You can also see the "Shutter-speed and aperture display" (large iris on the left of the screen) that provides a visual indication of the shutter speed and aperture being used.
The Info display is activated by pressing either the Info button located by the
shutter release or the Zoom review mode button located on the back (shown in the above
table.) There are three display modes to choose from Graphic (shown here), Classic and
Wallpaper (shown below.)
Here you can see Classic mode.
And here is Wallpaper mode. Secure Digital Storage![]() The D40 is equipped with a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot and is compatible with any capacity SD or SDHC card. Shown here with PQI's High-speed (150x) 4GB card.
Approx. Storage 512MB SD Card![]()
I/O Interfaces![]() The I/O ports are on the left side, on the top is the Video-OUT port that is user-selectable (NTSC or PAL) for output to a TV monitor. Next is the USB 2.0 (high-speed) port for transferring image data to the host computer. The small rectangular hole inbetween is the Reset camera button.
The D40 does not have a dedicated DC IN port for connecting an external power supply.
However, you can use the optional EP-5 AC Adapter Connector, and EH-5 AC Adapter if you
needed an external power source.
Power Source![]() The D40 uses the Nikon EN-EL9 7.4V 1000mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery pack. It is recharged with the supplied MH-23 Quick Charger. The EN-EL9 is less powerful than the EN-EL3e (1000mAh vs 1500mAh) used by its big brother, the D80. Nikon claims the battery life is sufficient for capturing from 470 frames (using CIPA Standards) up to 2,200 frames (continuous frame mode, 1/250 sec, JPEG Basic quality, etc.) per charge. |
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