| |
 |
| Photo by Linzee Karasik |
| Click photo for more images taken by the Nikon D40x. |
The Nikon D40x ($799, estimated street with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX Nikkor; $729, body only) may be small, but its shooting capacity is big. It's a great camera for first-time DSLR buyers set on a 10MP model and Nikon system users who want a lightweight body that's not lightweight in performance.
It returned Excellent Image Quality in tests in the Pop Photo Lab and out in the world, with excellent resolution through ISO 3200, stellar noise control (Extremely Low through ISO 400, Very Low through ISO 1600), and Excellent color accuracy.
Click here or on the photo to view the Nikon D40x Image Quality Gallery
Read the full Nikon D40x lab test.
The Competitive Set
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
With 18-55mm f/3.6-5.6 Canon EF-S lens ($770, street):
The Nikon D40x produces Image Quality a bit higher than Canon's mighty lightweight, notably in better noise control throughout the ISO range, and it has an ISO 3200 setting, which the XTi lacks. But the XTi remains a potent competitor, with faster and more sensitive AF using a sophisticated nine-point AF array that can track across the frame. The Canon takes a RAW file simultaneously with a highest-quality JPEG, not lowest. While we'd rate the build quality about equal, we'd trust the Canon more in dusty conditions, as it has both self-cleaning sensor and software dust deletion (the D40x, just the latter). And the Canon has no AF lens limitations -- all EF and EF-S lenses have built-in focusing motors.
Sony Alpha 100
With 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Sony Zoom DT lens ($710, street):
The Sony's singular advantage over both the Canon and Nikon models is its sensor-based Super Steady Shot system, which provides image stabilization across both the Sony and the discontinued Konica Minolta Maxxum lens lines. Canon and Nikon make you pay for stabilization with every lens. The Sony has faster and better-tracking AF than the Nikon D40x, a self-cleaning sensor, and innovative dynamic-range controls. We also think it's a better-built camera than the D40x. The Nikon wins on Image Quality, with somewhat higher resolution but, more important, clearly superior noise control. The Sony lens line is smaller than Nikon's AF-S lens catalog, but not by much.
See more image quality shots from similar cameras below, or check out our redesigned Galleries page.
|
