Melville, N.Y. — Nikon added an entry-level digital SLR to its lineup today, bringing the D40 to market for a suggested $599 with lens.
The 6-megapixel D40 is the company’s least expensive digital SLR to date. It has been slimmed down from previous D-series models and offers a new menu system with a built-in help guide to shepherd newcomers through the intricacies of SLR photography.
Nikon’s new entry-level digital SLR model.
An “assist images” feature displays sample images for each camera setting to help consumers pick the right one while a retouch menu lets users correct mistakes — like red eye or under exposure — after they happen. The retouch option also lets users crop photos, overlay images or add photo and filter effects to images.
The D40 offers a burst mode of 2.5 frames per second up to 100 photos, a 2.5-inch LCD, eight scene modes, including a new “flash off” mode that kills the flash and boosts ISO for low light photography.
The camera will be bundled with a new 3x optical zoom Nikkor lens (18-55mm) and works with all of Nikon’s AF-S and AF-I Nikkor lenses. Nikon also added a new Speedlight to its accessory flash lineup.
