Verified answer

The Nikon D40 is the least specced DSLR on the market, its the cheapest for a reason.

Lenses matter more than camera body, with DSLR your buying into a system with the D40 you have to buy the expensive AFS lenses if you want auto focus, it has no external shutter release socket, only 3 focus points, its missing vital functions such as auto bracketing, build quality is 'plasticky' in short its an expensive toy.

You're probably better off buying a second hand Canon or Pentax. Even a Pentax DS is more of a camera than a D40 will ever be. Available within your budget second hand.

Chris

Yes, the D40 is a superb choice, and don't be put off by other replies or comments which suggest otherwise. I would recommend the D40 over the D40x, since the only differences involve a slightly higher resolution sensor (10mp vs. 6mp) and a slight increase in the frames per second rate (3fps vs. 2.5). Neither of those will make a practical difference in the kind of shooting done by the D40 or D40x. Moreover, the D40 is still being made/sold; the D40x has been replaced by the D60.

Yes, it's true that you need AF-S (or Sigma HSM) lenses to autofocus with the D40, but it's not true that they are expensive. Lenses like the 18-55mm and 55-200mm are quite affordable. Anyone who urges you to buy a Pentax instead should be doubted--just read the reviews of Pentax cameras and you'll discover issues with white balance, resolution, etc. Moreover, financially, Pentax is in deep trouble and may not be a long-term player in the digital SLR market. As a person who owned and used Pentax film SLRs, I am saddened by this, but after their late entry into the digital SLR market, I am not surprised.

Nikon lenses offer excellent optics and the D40 has an excellent multi-segmented metering system, as well as the outstanding i-TTL flash metering system.

The biggest caution I would offer is that you should buy from a Nikon authorized dealer to ensure proper support. Here's the official list for the U.S.:

http://www.nikonusa.com/fileuploads/pdfs/Authorize...

Ultimately though, I urge you to actually physically handle the cameras in your price range. See how the camera feels in your hands. Make sure the controls feel logical to you, that the ergonomics make sense, etc. Check out the build quality. Turn the camera on and check the menu systems. Check out how the camera autofocuses. See how the lens mounts and feels when you zoom. What is the build quality of the lenses? Etc.

Essentially, once you handle the camera, you'll know which one fits you personally. It might be the Nikon D40, but it could easily be a Canon, Sony, Pentax, or Fujifilm SLR too. While I like the D40 and can recommend it easily, ultimately you are the person who has to use it and like it.

Elvis, I would certainly not recommend Ken Rockwells site for anything as serious as buying a camera, DPReview.com is certainly the site to trust, it is a serious site with serious reviews. Ken Rockwells site is just a comedy site and certainly not to be taken seriously, any photographer worth his salt knows this.

Here is his disclaimer in his own words on his 'About' page...

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"While often inspired by actual products and events, just like any other good news organization, I like to make things up and stretch the truth if they make an article more fun. In the case of new products, rumors and just plain silly stuff, it's all pretend. If you lack a good BS detector, please treat this entire site as a work of fiction.

Read this site at your own risk. I make a lot of mistakes."

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Now that is certainly not a site I would recommend for somebody wanting to spend their hard earned money!.

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go to kenrockwell.com

to read about both of them

he is an expert on the subject