Buying new dSLR question

[dnoh]

I am seriously thinking about buying new dSLR camera. Because of my budget, I can only get D40 or D50. I've been searching for awhile and I still can't decide what to get. Of course, I see tons of discussions about D40 vs. D50 everyday and it gives more confusion to my decision.

So my question is, after I read all these argument, is this correct me to say that only limitation that D40 over D50 is about can't Autofocus on AF lenses? And I believe Nikonians are refused to call D40 is upgrade to D50 because of this one reason? Is there any other limitation for D40?

Hypothetically, if Nikon created D40 which can autofocus AF lenses, do you guys think D40 is the better camera than D50? (I should say little upgrade to D50?)

I am still debating and my birthday is coming up within next 3 weeks. I guess I still have time to decide my future camera.

Thanks guys.

p.s. after I read the whole thing, I think some people might think this is another D40 vs. D50 topic. Please do not argue about this since I can see it everyday. I just want to know what D40's limitation over D50.

 

[PerL]

I am seriously thinking about buying new dSLR camera. Because of
my budget, I can only get D40 or D50. I've been searching for
awhile and I still can't decide what to get. Of course, I see tons
of discussions about D40 vs. D50 everyday and it gives more
confusion to my decision.

So my question is, after I read all these argument, is this correct
me to say that only limitation that D40 over D50 is about can't
Autofocus on AF lenses? And I believe Nikonians are refused to
call D40 is upgrade to D50 because of this one reason? Is there
any other limitation for D40?

Hypothetically, if Nikon created D40 which can autofocus AF lenses,
do you guys think D40 is the better camera than D50? (I should say
little upgrade to D50?)

I am still debating and my birthday is coming up within next 3
weeks. I guess I still have time to decide my future camera.

Thanks guys.

p.s. after I read the whole thing, I think some people might think
this is another D40 vs. D50 topic. Please do not argue about this
since I can see it everyday. I just want to know what D40's
limitation over D50.

Hi, this has proved to be a very sensitive subject - I hardly dare to write this... . IMO Nikon continously improves the IQ and some other features of the cameras, the D70 was bit improved over the D100, but the body was a little less high end. The same was true for the D50 vs the D70, and the D80 vs the D200. IMO the D40 have some improvements over the D50 (which after all is two years older), while the D50 have two advantages - can focus with AF-lenses as well as AF-S lenses, and the grip is a little deeper which makes it easier to hold big and heavy lenses. But the size can also be a plus for the D40 if you prefer small.

My personal pluses for the D40 - the VF, the LCD, the soft and quiet shutter, the size and the in-cam processing of jpegs.

Both can make outstanding images and the differences are small, maybe non-existant if you shoot RAW.

(My DSLR background - D100, D200, D50, D40 - have experience with the D70 and the Canon 350D. Now I have the D200 and the D40.)
--

http://www.pbase.com/interactive
http://tri-xstories.blogspot.com

 

[dnoh]

Thanks Perl. So D50 got 2 advantages over D40, lense and size. However, I went to local camera store this week, Beach Camera about 3 miles from where I work, and D40 is smaller but it fits perfectly on my hand. So size doesn't really matter to me much. (D50 fits perfect as well)

 

[larsbc]

dnoh wrote:
[snip]

So my question is, after I read all these argument, is this correct
me to say that only limitation that D40 over D50 is about can't
Autofocus on AF lenses? And I believe Nikonians are refused to
call D40 is upgrade to D50 because of this one reason? Is there
any other limitation for D40?

Limitations are only limitations if they get in the way of YOUR particular photographic needs.

With that in mind, I'll also point out that the D40 does not have FV-lock, which the D50 does. FV-lock allows you to effectively deal with the issue where some people, who are instinctual blinkers whenever the pre-flash fires, end up with closed or droopy eyes in flash photos.

The D40 also has fewer focus points which can limit compositional options, because the camera includes focus point info in its exposure and flash exposure calculations. You can pre-lock the exposure and recompose, but because the D40 doesn't have FV-lock, you cannot pre-lock the flash exposure and recompose.

D40 doesn't have a top-deck LCD so aperture/shutter/remaining exposure and other information must be viewed in the viewfinder or via the rear LCD. Some photogs (including me) consider a disadvantage. Others disagree.

D40 has fewer physical controls, requiring the user to delve into the menu system more often to change settings.

In favour of the D40, we have:
1) Bigger viewfinder (D40: .80 magnification vs. D50: .75 magnification)
2) Slightly longer battery life
3) Much larger LCD

4) Shutter/aperture settings can be viewed via the large rear LCD which is viewable in the dark. D50 relies on a small top-deck LCD with no backlight.
5) Slightly smaller size/weight.

6) Improved image processing so JPG images appear sharper and more noise free, particularly at higher ISO's.

I'm sure I left out some others but for the most part, those are the differences. Both are good cameras. Just pick the one that best suits your needs.

larsbc

 

[hbone]

I agree with larsbc. I have the D50 but looked at the D40, D70s and D80. I like the LCD screen and its a little bit heaver than the D40. D80 was too big for my hand. Didn't really need the DOF on the D70s. Compare what you like in a camera and pick one.

 

[Steve Simpkin]

The good thing about your choice is that both are really great cameras! Seriously though, compare the differences and choose the one that best fits YOUR needs.

--
'Life is a photo op'

Steve Simpkin