The NIKON D40X’s pros and cons

The D40x's high-resolution image quality is made possible by Nikon's high-performance 10.2 effective megapixels Nikon DX format CCD imaging sensor and exclusive Nikon image-processing engine, assuring stunning sharpness and color.
Beautifully styled, the D40x makes high-performance digital SLR photography easier and more convenient than ever.You will be amazed at the power packed into a camera that weighs just over 16 ounces.
The Nikon D40x’s DX Format CCD image sensor delivers vivid color and sharp detail, great for making beautifully detailed enlargements of 24 x 36 inches and beyond. High resolution also provides room for creative cropping.
Nikon D40x’s the good:
- Smallest Nikon SLR to date, great for travel
- Quiet shutter and AF operation: a very "polite" camera
- Great dynamic range
- Excellent high-ISO performance
- Good laid-out controls, fewer buttons yet still plenty of depth
- Fast AF system, good shutter response
- AF system works down to very low light levels, even without the AF-assist light
- Bright AF-assist lamp does not require flash be deployed
- Integration of info display and function menu is superb: Easy for a beginner, handy for a pro
- An excellent 2.5" LCD screen, which is very well organized and informative
- AF-S and manual focus lenses can be used with manual focus; camera's focus sensor points indicate correct focus
- Kit lens focuses down to 11 inches at any focal length
- Bright LED AF zone indicators in viewfinder display
- Accurate and consistent metering, works to very low light levels (but only in manual mode at the darkest levels)
- Nikon 3D matrix metering produces very accurate flash exposures
- 1/200 x-sync speed for flash shots
- Grip is comfortable for a wide range of hand sizes
- New mechanical shutter eliminates streaking of very strong highlights caused by shutter "gating" technique used in D40, D50, and D70
- Programmable function button is very handy, nice that it's on the left side of the body, making it easier to manipulate command dial at the same time
- Playback zoom operation is very convenient
- Playback display is very fast, refreshes quickly as you scroll through captured images
- In-camera "retouch" menu is unique, permits significant image adjustment without resorting to the computer
- Four-way controller disc works well
- Strap eyelets are recessed, won't gouge your hand when holding the camera
- Adjustable auto-off timers are a nice touch, surprising to find on an entry-level SLR
- Extensive custom function menu, way ahead of most entry-level DSLRs
- Digital "image overlay" permits creative multiple-exposure shots
- Fast downloads to a computer
- Optional remote control transmitter available
Nikon D40x’s the bad
- Only 3 AF regions
- Auto white balance setting does not handle household incandescent lighting well
- Kit lens shows dramatic flare, well in from the corners
- Chromatic aberration is also high at wide angle
- No Autofocus with non AF-S lenses
- Limited support for older, non-CPU lenses
- LCD status display is slow to update, lags behind actual camera settings when rotating command dial, particularly in "graphic" display mode, (optical viewfinder display is fast and accurate though)
- Glare from LCD info display is very distracting when looking through the viewfinder (almost blinding at night), can be turned off though
- AF assist lamp can be blocked by fingers
- Flash sync speed has been reduced from 1/500 sec to 1/200 sec (only a disadvantage if you prefer the 1/500-sync speed of the D40)
- Grip may be too small for some users
- AF point is easily changed accidentally by hitting the four-way control pad while shooting
- Dioptric adjustment of viewfinder optics is awkward to set, has somewhat limited range
- Battery charger requires large external cord, just one thing more to lug along on a trip
- No battery grip or option
- No in-camera support for Nikon Advanced Wireless Lighting System
- Kit lens does not come with hood