Another D40 vs D40x post...

I would not expect any new dslrs in the near future.
Prices? Who knows. We'd only be guessing.

I had the same dilemma until recently and opted for the D40 and am very pleased I did.

If you have to ask the megapixel question you probably don't need 10mp and the 6mp of the D40 will be fine.

There were too many downsides to the D40x compared to the D40 (slower flash sync, cost, larger file size, slightly poorer jpeg quality, slightly more noise) and only one real benefit (extra megapixels), which is only a benefit if you're planning to print very large prints?!

Assuming you're not wanting to print large, I recommend getting a D40 and the 18-135mm lens, you've got way more than enough wide angle and zoom to compose the shots you need in enough detail with the D40 anyway!

Whichever you get I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
Cheers,

John

I bought my D40 just last week. It is my 3rd DSLR. I have a D200 and a D70. I bought it for 3 reasons. I got it very cheaply (used, no lens with a 2GB card for $250), I wanted the faster sync speed, and most of all the size. It is just so much smaller than the D200. I stuck my 18-200 VR lens on it and it just disappears in my hands completely getting out of the way of taking photos. Today I tried it with my "pancake" 40mm and it is barely bigger than a pocket cam. I always have at least 2 cameras with me, I just love the size, and shooting with non AFS lenses is not difficult at all, even with my 56 year old eyes...
--
'Once in a while, you get shown the light
in the strangest of places if you look at it right...'
WSSA Member #80

I had both the D40 and the D40x and I can tell you the D40x is NOT noisier than the D40 as some would have you believe. If anything it is less noisy. I would never dream of using ISO 800 or 1600 when I had my D40 because the IQ was not acceptable to me. Now that I have my D40X I am amazed at how noise free the images are at ISO 800 and even 1600 so much so that I now use them both regularly in poor light. I can't think of any reason to get the D40 over the D40X not even price, it is just a more capable camera all the way around. Also don't let anyone tell you (not even Ken Rockwell) that 10 megapixels over 6 megapixels does not make a noticable difference. I was astounded at the resolution difference when I was expecting not much at all after listening to all the so called experts. I sold the D40 and kept the D40X and have never looked back.

JohnWH said:

Assuming you're not wanting to print large, I recommend getting a D40
and the 18-135mm lens, you've got way more than enough wide angle and
zoom to compose the shots you need in enough detail with the D40
anyway!

Click to expand...

If I was considering getting a lens such as the 18-135 or 18-200 such that the kit 18-55 becomes superfluous, I would recommend considering the D40x, since it can be bought as a body only, and the D40 can't, so a fair amount of the price difference goes away.

I also have both the D40 and 40X and in good light I see no difference in noise, but in poor light my D40 has the edge in lack of noise category. I have them set up the same, maybe you use different setups on the two. If I am using high iso for faster shutter speeds in good light, either one is fine, but if I am using high iso for really low light I will always use the D40.

You can purchase the D40 with the 18 to 135mm.
Another possibilty is purchasing a Nikon factory refub camera and lens.

I picked up a 18 to 135 Nikon for only $199 ...no tax. No shipping charge..from http://www.buydig.com
Lens looks pefect and is a pleasure to use w my D40.

Look at the http://www.imaging-resource.com comparometer and see the D40 and D40X images side by side.

Unless you regularly make 16 x 20's and/or crop extensively , you would find it almost impossible to tell the D40 from D40X images viewing them at normal distances. If you do make 16 x 20's regularly buy the D40X, otherwise spend the money you save by purchasing the D40 on lenses. That will make a bigger and notable difference.

I just got back from a Safari after purchasing my D40X and am glad I bought this in stead of the D40. For just the one photo I want to blow up (which the D40 cannot handle at a certain point), it was worth it. In the long run, you will never remember the difference in price between the 2.

I am a newbie - and today I finally decided on the D40X, 18-200VR and an SB600 flash. FWIW - I bought the D40x then the D40, returned the 40x, then bought it again. Compared with my 6 mp Rebel that I've had for 4 years.

I decided on the 40x mostly - BECAUSE I'M A NEWBIE - and I still make a lot of mistakes - mostly - I am usually too far away from the subject. Additionally, I don't frame things correctly, I shake the camera too much. Combine the shake with the distance problem and a lot of my photos come out too soft. I am sure that once my technique improves, the need for more MP might be reduced....but for right now, I am still learning how to improve. The extra mp's help b/c you can blow it up a bit and it still stays sharp. The 18-200 helps me too to zoom when I forget to move my feet; and the VR helps to minimize shaking (particularly when I'm also zooming).

The bottom line - these "compensations" help a newbie like me to take some really nice pictures.

As Thanksgiving is rolling near - the price b/t the 40 and 40X is quite narrow now compared to 3 months ago, particularly with the "kits" that are sold. Based on today's purchase the D40x was a few dollars cheaper than the D40 kit I had. Go figure.

Hope this helps.

RNW123

If the extra $200 is an issue then you have no choice.

Otherwise the difference boils down to two things. The rest is insignificant as they are nearly the same cameras.

D40 - 1/500 flash sync. This can be an advantage under some circumstances. Aside from the D70 series no other camera has this. This might be an indication of how useful it is.

D40x - more resolution. How many images can't be improved by cropping? BIG advantage.

joer56