The following images were taken with the Nikon D40 using the bundled Nikkor DX 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens. Unless otherwise stated, each image was recorded using the Large Fine JPEG mode, with Auto White Balance, 3D Matrix metering and the Optimise Image parameter set to the default Normal for sharpening, tone, colour, saturation and hue; Noise Reduction was Enabled by default. The individual file size, exposure mode, shutter speed, aperture, ISO and lens details are listed for each image.

The crops are taken from the original files, reproduced at 100% and saved in Adobe Photoshop CS2 as JPEGs with the default Very High quality preset, while the resized full images were made in Photoshop CS2 and saved with the default High quality preset. The three crops are typically taken from far left, central and far right portions of each image.

Landscape: 2.96MB, Program, 1/320, f9, ISO 200, 18-55mm at 18mm (equivalent to 27mm)

						This landscape shot was taken with the kit lens zoomed-out to its widest 18mm focal length, and the D40 set to its lowest 200 ISO sensitivity. An aperture of f9 ensured both the nearby trees and distant mountains were in focus, and the crops, as you’d hope with these settings, are sharp, detailed and have no noise to speak of.

Portrait: 2.26MB, Aperture Priority, 1/640, f5.6, ISO 200, 18-55mm at 55mm (equivalent to 83mm)

						This portrait shot was taken with the kit lens zoomed-in to 55mm and its aperture wide open at f5.6. The crops are pin sharp, and again there’s no noise or other undesirable artefacts to mention. All the Gallery shots here were taken with the D40’s Optimise Image set to the default Normal option. It’s clear to see this delivers vibrant, colourful photos without going too over the top.

Macro: 2.37MB, Program, 1/500, f11, ISO 400, 18-55mm at 55mm (equivalent to 83mm)

						This macro shot, taken with the kit lens zoomed-into 55mm and focused as close as it could, again demonstrates the D40’s vibrant, consumer-friendly output using the default settings. Here we increased the sensitivity to 400 ISO, but there’s no evidence of noise on the crops.

Indoor: 2.90MB, Program, 1/80, f4.5, ISO 800, 18-55mm at 18mm (equivalent to 27mm)

						This indoor shot was taken with the D40’s sensitivity increased to 800 ISO. There’s the slightest evidence of noise, or rather noise reduction in the crops, but they’re still impressively clean and packed with detail. You can confidently shoot at 800 ISO using the D40 without compromise. It’s also worth noting unlike most cameras, the D40 figured out the indoor white balance in Auto without manual intervention.

Indoor: 2.62MB, Program, 1/80, f4.5, ISO 1600, 18-55mm at 23mm (equivalent to 35mm)

				Finally we have an example of the D40 set to 1600 ISO and the crops unsurprisingly reveal noise and a little smearing, but it’s still a good overall result with decent levels of detail. The window reveals a little purple fringing, but the impressive aspect here is the exposure which has sensibly balanced the bright windows against the dark interior. Most cameras require exposure compensation here, but the D40’s metering wasn’t fooled.