I have a Nikon D40x digital camera but I don't get it. Can you help?

Question

Can I view things on the screen before I shoot? (What's the point of an LCD screen if you have to use the viewfinder?) Is there digital zoom? Can anything be saved without a memory card? I don't get why it lacks so many things a cheap digital camera would have but it costs so much!

Answer 1

The Nikon D40x is an excellent camera- but it sounds like you didn't exactly know what you were buying.

DSLRs, by their nature, don't give you an LCD preview. (a few of the Olympus DSLRs are the exception here, like the new E410 or E510). The whole point of a DSLR is to be able to look directly through the lens and get a big, bright view of the image. If the light is traveling through the lens and into the optical viewfinder.... it's not landing on the detector. Also, the detectors aren't designed with real time video output circuitry. This makes them less complex and therefore less noisy (better image quality).

There are many things about the D40x that are superior to a compact digicam, but only in the hands of a photographer that wants to take advantage of what it has to offer.

However- you're basically correct. For most people, a good quality compact digicam, or perhaps one of the better bigger zoom cameras is a far better choice. the image quality is so close that you need a magnifying glass to tell the difference, and they offer consumer features that you'll enjoy more. And- be less costly, smaller and lighter.

oh- no, nothing can be saved without a memory card (fortunately, these are readily available and cheap)
and- a digital zoom is the same as just cropping the image. You can do that later on your computer, it's the same thing.

Answer 2

It lacks features of the point and shoot, because it is digital SLR. There isn't a digital zoom, per se, but you have a motorized telephoto lens. It's the same principle as the digital zoom. You can't see via the LCD screen because you have a SLR. The lens is closed until you take the photo. Light doesn't make it to the LCD. Once you take the photo, you see the photo, but do not see the image in real time.

Two different cameras (digital and digital SLR) for different levels of competence. The D40x is a entry level to medium level SLR. It's one of the best cameras for the money, and allows a great deal of creativity. Or, if your prefer set the camera for full auto and let the camera do the thinking.

Answer 3

It sounds as though you may have over-bought and now have a camera that's more advanced than you need. Carefully reading the Owner's Manual should help you understand the many features and benefits of this camera. You can also search for one of the Magic Lantern Guides that explains your camera. Such Guides are highly illustrated with step by step instructions - and usually more understandable than the manual that comes with the camera.

Your DSLR is much more versatile than most any digicam and will allow you to really explore photography.

An optical zoom like your D40 uses will give much better results.

If all else fails and you're just too overwhelmed by the D40 you can always sell it on ebay and then look for a camera more suited for your photographic needs.

Answer 4

this is why i recommend the panasonic lumix dmc-fz50 for people that are not comfortable with the DSLR. with the panny cam you can see what your going to take but still be able to do all the manual things a DSLR does. the panny has a fixed lens but it goes from 35-420mm and you don't need to carry all those lens around to get the zoom like the panny does. yes the do have converters where you can get 18mm, has a hot shoe that works with alot of flashes. If your just starting out and thinking of getting into DSLR try these prosumer cameras.