Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

I have had a number of point and shoot cameras, including a Lumix which which looks like an SLR, but quality of pictures is lacking. I wanted a camera that would take serious pictures of musical instruments and travel experiences. After a number of positive online reviews, I made the plunge and could not be happier. I bought the kit with the 55-200 extented lense. I take pictures at the low size level, which still produces outstanding quality pictures. I find that anything over 1 meg has to be reduced to email and is more trouble to fool with as I only make 4x6 pictures. As a result the newer 10 meg version was not really an options for me. The camera is easy to use. If you put it on P instead of auto, the flash will not be a problem during the day. Were this to be stolen, I would buy it again. This camera blows away any point and shoot camera that I have used or owned.

I bought this camera after waiting a long time to go digital. I am not a professional photographer, so I don't use a lot of the "higher tech" features. However, I found this camera to be very user friendly and the price is definitely right for an SLR.

I don't like to lug around a big camera, so the size of the Nikon D40 is perfect to carry in a small camera bag or in a mini bag inside a purse, which is great plus on a vacation.

If you've been waiting to go digital, then the Nikon D40 is a great place to start.

Just last week I received my Nikon D40 (I got it super fast thanks to Amazon Prime) and I couldn't be more excited/happy/inspired/creative and many more similar descriptive words.

Nikon has obviously done an excellent job hitting their target market for this camera (someone like me, who wanted to jump the bridge from point and shoot to DSLR), and we should be thankful that we can pick up a camera of this kind of quality for such a fair price (under $500).

The kit lens that accompanied the camera has already delivered some phenomenal shots, and I'm pretty pumped up and excited about using it for family photos for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Finally, someone in my family (me) will be able to share respectable and hopefully jaw dropping shots that capture the feel of the holidays more than a point and shoot camera can.

No need to get too technical here. It's simple. If you're looking for the best quality DSLR camera at the best price, this is it. Don't hesitate, just get it. Read the other 100+ 5 star reviews if you want, but they all say the same thing - this camera ROCKS!

Simply put, this camera excels at being compact and versatile! It may not have some of the features of the $1000+ DSLR's, but it does exactly what you want in an SLR and it does it very well. The 6.1MP lens is gorgeous and the shooting modes are all gorgeous. Even if you aren't an entry-level DSLR photographer, the compact nature of this camera will thoroughly excel in what you need.

I bought this kit + the 55-200 zoom in June 2008 and it's been perfect. I was a former SLR user in the film age but couldn't justify the crazy prices of DSLRs in the past. Now, I can't recommend this camera enough for anyone who is looking for better photos than a point and shoot can provide. As with any SLR, you will get more out of the camera if you learn the basics of aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. but unlike the more professional versions like the D300, this camera has modes like full-auto and scene (sports, portrait, landscape, etc..) that help out the rookie. In fact, I borrowed a D300 for a day and much prefer my D40. The D40 is much easier to use and has some features (like showing overexposed highlights in the preview pane) that the D300 doesn't have. The D40 is also much lighter and more compact than a D300 so I'm more likely to take it places.

The sensor in the camera is wonderful, especially to someone used to point and shoot sensors. All of your friends will be amazed at your pictures.

That being said, I may soon graduate to a higher end version in the next year or two. As soon as you want to move away from the kit lenses, you'll run into lens compatibility issues. I'm about to purchase a 50 mm f1.4 AF and it won't auto-focus on a D40. Also, with 6 MP your ability to crop pictures is more limited. It's not critical but you'll eventually notice it as you advance.

Fortunately, the resale value of D40s on Craigslist or other sites is high enough that you can sell it later on and trade up. Thus, buy this kit and only switch when you feel like you've outgrown it. A lot of people never will.

One more regret is I should have looked more closely at the VR version of the 55-200 or the 18-200 VR lens. I might have made a different choice on my second lens.