While Nikon already has an entry-level DSLR in the D50, the D40 is a lot cheaper (at an estimated price of US$599) and yet comes with a number of improvements while taking away very little in terms of features. The D40 packs in a 6-megapixel sensor and a large 2.5in LCD monitor (the D50 only had a 2in LCD) along with a new autofocus system and an all-new menu system.

So whats the catch?

Apart from the missing monochrome information display, the only other concession Nikon has made to keep the size down is to get rid of the integrated autofocus motor found on every other Nikon DSLR. Nikon has long used two methods for driving autofocus lenses — the older method was to utilise motors and a drive shaft within the camera itself, which couples with gears inside the lens to drive autofocus.

The D40 drops the body integral drive motor and instead only supports the newer method, where electronic contacts are used to communicate with a fast and virtually silent motor within the lens itself.

This means that older lenses using the gear system will only work in manual focus, although metering and shooting will be unaffected. The autofocus points of the camera has also been reduced to just three, down from the five focusing points of the D50. The D40 is slated to appear in local stores next month.

Website : Nikon’s smallest DSLR yet from TechCentral