Nikon D50 (D40) Digital SLR Camera

Having purchased a D50 kit with a 28-80mm zoom lens in December of 2006, I have been exceptionally impressed with both the ease of operation and picture quality. There is very little distortion in low light settings and the camera gives you full control over picture size and quality modes. Nikon's latest version of the 6.1 megapixel body is now being marketed as the D40, but the general features of the two cameras are very similar. If you want more raw data to process, then I recommend moving up to the D40X or the D80.

The overall feel of the Nikon "D" series camera body in your hands is very comfortable. Although a bit heavier than the tidal wave of point and shoot digital cameras on the market, it's sure grip and balance more than makes up for an extra ounce or two of weight. The ergonomic features built into the exterior case far surpass the old 35mm camera bodies of days gone by.

For the point and shoot user in your family, Nikon uses a fast power-up feature in the "D" series. By the time you turn on the switch and get it raised to your eye, it's ready to go. No lost pictures due to boot-up delays. Battery life is very good and is coupled with a good size battery indicator on the top display panel.

As with any new camera, the user will get the best use of the built-in features by spending at least thirty minutes reading the operating manual. However, if you are impatient when unpacking your new "toy", there are plenty of quick-start amenities on the D50/D40 (along with a brief quick-start guide) to get you up and running immediately. For the average-to-advanced user, the D40 will give a lot of bang for the buck.

There are seven fully automated modes on the D50 body. Each of them has specific tweaks for processing color, focus options, and shutter speed. For instance, the landscape view saturates the digital data with more blues and greens. The portrait setting leans toward warmer hues for skin tone. At the same time, the camera automatically adjusts the flash power for specific low light conditions. The LCD menu does allow for some +/- override in the flash power settings too, but rarely have I seen where this would be needed. If a more powerful flash is desired, Nikon has provided a hot shoe above the eyepiece.

If you are like me and like to play around with special settings and lighting, then you'll love the ease of getting into and out of the manual and semi-automatic settings. There is a "program" mode which provides basic automated settings, but allows for minor adjustments. The shutter and aperture priority modes operate much like film cameras of the past. The full manual mode is a delight. One minor detractor is the awkward button position for setting the aperture. Other than that, I find that manual operation of this camera is a breeze. As an added bonus, your manual settings are held in memory when power is switched off.

The back panel LCD would be better if Nikon had made it a bit larger, but they seem to reserve that nicety for the next level above this one. It does have good resolution and the color seems to be true. The menu also provides a brightness override option for the LCD. It does help in outdoor and bright conditions.

Other menu functions are fairly straightforward, and the owner's manual easily guides you through anything that might be questionable or unfamiliar. The USB cable port is easy to find and plug into, as is the video jack for instant slideshows through your television. The rubber cover over these connections could be of better design. It is a bit tough to re-seat after use, but the flexible material used should protect against moderate moisture conditions.

For the dual use family like mine, this camera series can't be beat. My wife can use the automated point and shoot modes with ease, while the artist in me can play with all the manual settings my heart desires . . . without breaking the bank. Highly recommended.