If you have a compact digital camera and are looking to buy your first digital SLR to take the next step up in photo quality and versatility, LOOK NO FURTHER! :-) We have been using Nikon’s 6-Megapixel D40 starter SLR since it was introduced a couple of years ago, and it is a stunner. Even better, you can get your hands on one of these babies at Best Buy for $475.00, complete with a genuine 18-55 Nikon zoom lens - an absolute steal - WOW!
Things that you will notice compared to a compact camera include:
- Much faster start-up time: the camera is ready to take a photograph the instant you turn it on.
- Much better battery life - the battery on the D40 goes on and on and on through hundreds of shots - waaaaay longer than a regular compact point and shoot camera
- Much better photo quality - due to better quality lenses that let more light in
- Much greater versatility - the D40 provides a full range of image-taking controls, right from fully-automatic through shutter and aperture-priority modes to fully manual.
- Greater range of system expandability - you can expand your picture taking opportunities by adding external flashguns, additional prime and zoom lenses, wireless controls, and a whole host of other accessories.
Although there are many players in the digital SLR marketplace nowadays, serious photographers usually limit their choices to either Canon or Nikon cameras and lenses. Canon and Nikon make the best glass and have been in the camera making business for a very long time with many dedicated professional users - they can be relied upon t make a really serious product. Canon also make some very good entry-level SLRsand you can’t really go wrong choosing one - it’s just that we have experience with Nikon Digital since the D70 in 2003 and know these cameras produce excellent results.
It is important to try out both Nikon and Canon before you decide which to buy, as whatever you choose will more or less dedicate you to that manufacturer in terms of future purchases of lenses and accessories. We find that Nikon cameras have better ergonomics and are well-balanced and easy to hold. They all feel very sturdy and made to last a long time. Some of the Canons are not as easy to hold and look to be more flimsily made from lower-grade plastics.
If you have a little more money, the Nikon D60 is worth considering at $665.00, as it has a vibration reduction lens (this means that hand-held pictures remain sharp longer), 10 Megapixels and a nifty sensor cleaning system. The body, controls and ergonomics are exactly the same as the D40 though - the D60 uses the SAME body as the D40.
Don’t be fooled by Megapixels, though. you really don’t need a lot of Megapixels to produce stunning photographs if the camera’s optics and picture-taking electronics are up to par. The results from the D40 will far exceed anyone’s expectations unless you’re making really large prints. Results are more than good enough for viewing on your computer or the web or making 8 x 11 prints from your desktop printer. We definitely do not think that the $210 extra the D60 costs is worth it - get the D40. You could use $100 of that extra $200 to buy a great external flashgun like the Nikon SB400!
This will really improve your indoor flash photography because you can bounce the flash off the ceiling instead of straight in someone’s face, resulting in less red-eye and a much softer, more natural feel.
