Questions on D40 and D40X

[J.A.F.T.]

I'm sorry to ask these questions, but I'm a DSLR newbie and I need some advice. I'm debating between the D40 and the D40X. I'm swayed by the 10 megapixels, but the more I read the less difference I see in the two. So here go the questions.

1. Is there enough difference to off set the $200+ price hike? Would I be better served by spending that extra on lenses?

2. I'm reading that Nikon is going to quit making both of these anyway. Is that going to cause me any trouble in the future?

3. Should I wait a few months and hope for a clearance price drop?

4. Should I wait and see what they replace these models with?


Thanks for any help you folks can provide.

J.A.F.T.

[hankbeblazin]

i'll make it easy.

d40 is a great camera i have it as well as the D300.

D40x i've heard its not worth the extra 200 and just get the D80 instead

[WestCoast]

The D40x is worth the extra cost if you do a lot of cropping. It also has a faster burst rate (3 fps vs. 2.5 fps) and a lower base ISO (100 vs. 200), but those features are not of great importance to everybody. If you do a lot of cropping, you'll want to consider the 10 MP D40x (~$570 w/o lens) or D80 (~$775 w/o lens). If not, save some cash and buy the D40 ($~475 w/ kit lens).

The D80 has an autofocus motor on the body, so it will autofocus with a greater selection of lenses. This is especially the case with primes. (Nikon has been slowly transitioning AF motors onto a greater number of lenses, and third-party vendors such as Sigma have also been introducing them.) But if you're just starting out, the current selection of fully-compatible AF lenses should be enough.

I see no reason to wait until the newer models are introduced.

[Rooz]

So here go the questions.

1. Is there enough difference to off set the $200+ price hike? Would I be better served by spending that extra on lenses?

Yes. but you havent indicated a final budget so unclear of how to answer this.

2. I'm reading that Nikon is going to quit making both of these anyway. Is that going to cause me any trouble in the future?

No they are not, they are just being updated like any dslr model. probably mid-late next year. No you won;t get into any trouble.

3. Should I wait a few months and hope for a clearance price drop?

thats up to you, then you'll be without a camera for 6-9 months.

4. Should I wait and see what they replace these models with?

again. up to you. there will always be something better and newer. you may as well wait another month for the PMA's to see what canon's xti replacement is like and how much it costs.

i assume that the "new d40" will be 10mp, have a 2.7 or 3 inch screen, (prob not VGA though), shoot at 3 or 4fps, 9 pt AF system and have live view as its major feature upgrades. it will not have an AF motor same as the current d40 series.

thats just a wild guess mind you.

[coldrain]

I agree mostly with Rooz' points, except that a D40x folow up will have 10mp and live view. Sony does not seem to have a 10mp CMOS (except the 10mp one they used in their R1, but that was an 1.7x crop factor sensor), only 12mp for now. If Sony did have a 10mp CMOS I am quite sure their new A200 would have this sensor, it does have a CDD however.

So... either no 10mp (but 12), or no live view is my guess.

[J.A.F.T.]

Thanks guys for all the help. I found the forum about where to buy and I'm searching prices and seeing what I can afford.

Thanks again for all the assistance!


J.A.F.T.