The Nikon D40xs as the best choice for a begginer

Just under four months since the D40 and Nikon has announced an upgraded ten-megapixel version of the camera. The new Nikon D40X is essentially identical to the D40 apart from its ten-megapixel CCD, a lower base sensitivity of ISO 100 and faster continuous shooting (now up to 3.0 fps). Obviously, the competitive target for this camera is the Canon EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi), and it is clearly priced to achieve that at $799 including the 18-55 mm kit lens.
The D40x has a 2.5" LCD display with 230,000 pixel resolution and a 170 degree viewing angle, which means your friends can gather 'round behind you and everyone will see the same image quality wherever they're standing. Other D40x features include extensive in-camera image editing, a full array of automatic and manual exposure modes, including some modes tuned for specific situations, like Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up and Night portrait. An Auto ISO mode lets the user select the maximum ISO and minimum shutter speed, which leaves you with some control over what Auto can do. Just like the D40, autofocus is only supported when using AF-S or AF-I lenses, which limits you to newer Nikon lenses. The built-in i-TTL flash has a guide number of 12m /39 ft. at ISO 100 in auto modes and 13m / 42 ft. in manual. Maximum flash sync is 1/200 second.
Specifications

- Type of Camera: Single-lens reflex digital camera
- Effective Pixels: 10.2 million
- Image Sensor: RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 10.75 million, Nikon DX format
- Image Size (pixels): 3,872 x 2,592, 2,896 x 1,94 , 1,936 x 1,296
- ISO Sensitivity: 100 to 1600 in steps of 1 EV with additional setting one step over 1600
- Storage Media: SD memory card, SDHC compliant
- Storage System: Compressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression; JPEG: JPEG baseline compliant
- File System: Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 and DPOF
- White Balance: Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor); six manual modes with fine tuning and preset white balance
- LCD Monitor: 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with 170-degree wide-angle viewing and brightness adjustment
- Playback Function: 1 frame; thumbnail (4 or 9 segments); magnifying playback; slide show; histogram indication; highlight point display; auto image rotation
- Delete Function: Card format, all frames delete, selected frames delete
- Video Output: NTSC or PAL
- Text Input: Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi selector; stored in Exif header
- Compatible Lenses: Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts Type G or D AF Nikkor:
- AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported;
- Other Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus
- PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D: Can only be used in mode M; all other functions supported except autofocus
- Other AF NikkorA/AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
- Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster
- IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used
- Picture Angle: Equivalent in 35mm [135] format is approx. 1.5 times lens focal lengs
- Eyepoint: 18mm (-1.0 m-1)
Fixed-eyelevel penta-Dach mirror type; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.7 to +0.5m-1)
Focusing Screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets
Viewfinder Frame Coverage: Approximately 95% (vertical/horizontal)
Viewfinder Magnification: approx. 0.8 xs with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1
Viewfinder Information:

Focus indications, AE/FV lock indicator, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure/exposure compensation indicator, exposure mode, flash output level compensation, exposure compensation, number of remaining exposures, flash-ready indicator
Autofocus: TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM530 autofocus module with AF-assist (range approximately 0.5-3.0m/1ft. 8in.-9ft. 10in.); Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20 degrees C/68 degrees F)
Lens Servo:
1) Autofocus (AF): Instant single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous servo AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status
2) Manual focus (M)
Focus Area: Can be selected from 3 focus areas
AF Area Modes:
1) Single Area AF
2) Dynamic Area AF
3) Dynamic Area AF with Closest Subject Priority
Focus Lock:
Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure Metering System: TTL full-aperture exposure metering system:
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor;
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm circle in center of frame
3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area
Exposure Metering Range:
1) 0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) 2 to 20 EV (spot metering)
Exposure Modes: Digital Vari-program (Auto, Auto [Flash Off], Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto (S); Aperture Priority Auto (A); Manual (M)
Exposure Compensation: plus or minus 5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Exposure Lock: Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
Shooting Modes:
1) Single frame shooting mode
2) Continuous shooting mode: approx. 2.5 frames per second Approx. 1.7 frames per second with Noise Reduction turned on and approx. 1 frame per second with ISO HI1
3) Self-timer mode
4) Delayed remote mode: 2 s. delay
5) Quick-response remote mode
Shutter: Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter, 30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3, bulb
Synchronize Contact: X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/200 sec.
Flash Control:
1) TTL: TTL flash control by 420-segment RGB sensor, i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR and standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR available when CPU lens is used with built-in flash, SB-800, SB-600 and T041
2) Auto aperture: Available with SB-800 with CPU lens
3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27 and 22s
4) Range-priority manual available with SB-800
Flash Sync Modes: Auto, Portrait, Child and Close Up modes:
1) Auto, auto with red-eye reduction; fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight
2) Night portrait mode: Auto, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction; slow sync and slow sync with red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight
3) Landscape, Sport mode: Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight
4) P, A: Fill flash, rear-curtain with slow sync, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction
5) S, M: Fill flash, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction
Built-in Flash: Auto, Portrait, Child, Close Up, Night Portrait mode: Auto flash with auto pop-up P/S/A/M: Manual pop-up with button release Guide number (ISO 200/ISO 100, m [ft.]): approx.17 [55]/12 [39] (manual full 18 [59]/13 [42]
Flash Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Accessory Shoe: Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with sync, signal and ground contacts and safety lock
Self-Timer: Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds
Remote Control: Via optional ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control
Power Source: One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9; charging voltage (MH-23 quick charger): 7.4V DC, EH-5 AC Adapter (available separately; requires optional EP-5 AC Adapter Connector)
Tripod Socket: 1/4 in. (ISO1222)
Dimensions (W x D x H): Approximately 5.0 x 2.5 x 3.7 inches
Weight: Approximately 1lb., 1oz. without battery, memory card or body cap