Does the Nikon D40 replace the D50?

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

12/24/2006 01:20:01 PM · #1

I was in a store today and he told me they no longer had the D50 in stock. But that the D40 would be available after Christmas.

The funny thing is that the D40 is priced at about â�¬200 *more* than the D50 was.

Does the D40 replace the D50? - I thought it was supposed to be the new entry-level from Nikon. But I didn't think the D50 was being discontinued.

Louis

Nikon D800

12/24/2006 01:44:12 PM · #2

Something of a comparison. Interesting that the D40 doesn't have a top information display. D40 in this review is said to be the most user friendly. Also:

"The advantage with the Nikon D50 compared to the Nikon D40 is that you can use the older AF Nikkor lenses and still maintain Auto Focus (AF) capability. When using one of the non AF-S type of Nikkor lenses on the Nikon D40 you loose the AF ability, the metering and automatic exposure modes will still work, so if you don't mind using manual focus you will be fine."

_eug

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

12/24/2006 01:49:22 PM · #3

NO!

The D40 is a stripped down consumer camera which is being marketed to the P&S crowd who want a Big Name on their camera. It's not intended to replace the D50 any more than the D50 was intended to replace the D70. It's just marketing strategy to get themselves a bigger piece of the Digital Camera pie.

Personally I'd not buy a D40 myself, but if it was a gift I might consider it depending on the experience level of the recipient.

Message edited by author 2006-12-24 13:50:27.

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

12/24/2006 04:04:53 PM · #4

Absolutely NOT! But I have heard it is a nice camera for someone who is looking to take one step up from a point and shoot model.

hotpasta

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/24/2006 05:27:04 PM · #5

I am looking at one as a second body where I can put a 50mm lens on and leave it on. That way my D200 has my lens of choice for the particular project, and the D40 is quick and easy to grab as a second camera to avoid all the lens changes. It looks nice and feels really good in the hand. It will be nice to take out instread of my p and s panasonic because it's small enough to carry around.

Prof_Fate

12/24/2006 05:46:16 PM · #6

I've read in a magazine (pop photo i think) that the D40 does indeed replace the D50.

12/24/2006 06:23:07 PM · #7

I also thought it was released as the new entry-level.

But what really threw me today was the pricing.

This particular store (Dixons, a UK chain) has made the D40 â�¬200 more expensive than the D50. So they'd never sell any D40's .... unless they stopped stocking the D50.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/24/2006 07:18:34 PM · #8

Originally posted by hotpasta:

That's ok if you like to focus manually.
The D40 will not focus with AF-D lenses.
It only focusses with AF-S lenses, so a 50 f/1.4 or 50 f/1.8 (and many other screwdriven-AF lenses) will not work on the D40.
For what you intend with it, you are better of with a D50.

Message edited by author 2006-12-24 19:19:02.

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/24/2006 07:19:33 PM · #9

Originally posted by Azrifel:

Originally posted by hotpasta:
I am looking at one as a second body where I can put a 50mm lens on and leave it on. That way my D200 has my lens of choice for the particular project, and the D40 is quick and easy to grab as a second camera to avoid all the lens changes.

That's ok if you like to focus manually.
The D40 will not focus with AF-D lenses.
It only focusses with AF-S lenses, so a 50 f/1.4 or 50 f/1.8 (and many other screwdriven-AF lenses) will not work on the D40.
For what you intend with it, you are better of with a D50.

How come you know so much about camera's? You don't work in a photoshop, do you?

12/24/2006 07:28:40 PM · #10

The D40 does not replace the D50, absolutely not.
The D40 should be cheaper than the D50. If not, the shop is screwing you. Don't buy there.

The D40 is intended as the absolute baseline Nikon dSLR. It is for the people who like the qualities of an APS-C sensor, the better DOF control, the optical viewfinder etc. The people who prefer to use one or two modern zoom lenses like the AF-S VR 18-200. The D40 does not focus with non-DX primes, it hass less focus points, a slightly weaker AF engine, everything dumbed down a bit to save money. It is intended for the people who want better quality than their p&s but don't care about all the bells and whistles a dSLR can offer.

The D50 is a step above that.
The D70 is a step above the D50, mostly a better body.

Ironically they all use the same sensor and Nikon keeps improving the processing. So the D50 has better image quality than the D70, but the high iso noise performance of the D40 is better than the D50.
The D80 is a stap above the D70 with a new sensor, better viewfinder, better/more controls and processing.
The D200 is the top consumer Nikon and comes close to a pro model with its speed, build quality and weather sealing.
D2h and D2x are the pro models.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/24/2006 07:30:40 PM · #11

Originally posted by biteme:

How come you know so much about camera's? You don't work in a photoshop, do you?

When I buy stuff I do not want to rely on what others tell me, so I keep informed and have a good memory. Perhaps I am a bit of a photography technology geek. :)

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/24/2006 07:32:06 PM · #12

Originally posted by Azrifel:

Originally posted by biteme:
How come you know so much about camera's? You don't work in a photoshop, do you?

When I buy stuff I do not want to rely on what others tell me, so I keep informed and have a good memory. Perhaps I am a bit of a photography technology geek. :)

that's good to know ;) might come in handy when I want to get Nikon. But... nah.

maybe you have a photographic memory?

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/24/2006 07:35:35 PM · #13

Originally posted by biteme:

Originally posted by Azrifel:

Originally posted by biteme:
How come you know so much about camera's? You don't work in a photoshop, do you?

When I buy stuff I do not want to rely on what others tell me, so I keep informed and have a good memory. Perhaps I am a bit of a photography technology geek. :)

that's good to know ;) might come in handy when I want to get Nikon. But... nah.

maybe you have a photographic memory?

I do. Not always a good thing. :)
At least I am not as freaky as my aunt. When you ask her something about medicine she will quote you the text and tell you from what book and which page. :)
But most of the time I have little trouble to find things back when I saw them somewhere before. Text, photos, shops, dreams, anything. :)

TJinGuy

Nikon Coolpix 2100

12/24/2006 07:41:41 PM · #14

I just don't see reason anyone would buy either the D40 or D50. If you can't pony up for a D70 or D80, the Rebel XT is a better camera. It is the same price as the D40 and D50 but has better pretty much everything.

When I started my search for my DSLR, I started off by looking at the D50 and wishing I could afford the D70. I came from a Coolpix 5700 and wanted to stick with what I knew. It took me a while to realize that it did not matter. At that point I started reading about the Rebel and before long, it was an easy decision.

kearock

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

12/24/2006 07:47:58 PM · #15

Originally posted by TJinGuy:

I wont get into the issue of what is a better camera for the money because I don't really know much about either brand's entry level models, but if the Rebel XT were the best in the price range, it might still make sense to get a D40 or D50 if you want to be (or already are) invested in the Nikon system. It's not just about the body, it's about the lenses and other accessories too.

Message edited by author 2006-12-24 19:48:10.

TJinGuy

Nikon Coolpix 2100

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/24/2006 08:54:45 PM · #16

Originally posted by kearock:

Originally posted by TJinGuy:
I just don't see reason anyone would buy either the D40 or D50. If you can't pony up for a D70 or D80, the Rebel XT is a better camera. It is the same price as the D40 and D50 but has better pretty much everything.

When I started my search for my DSLR, I started off by looking at the D50 and wishing I could afford the D70. I came from a Coolpix 5700 and wanted to stick with what I knew. It took me a while to realize that it did not matter. At that point I started reading about the Rebel and before long, it was an easy decision.

I wont get into the issue of what is a better camera for the money because I don't really know much about either brand's entry level models, but if the Rebel XT were the best in the price range, it might still make sense to get a D40 or D50 if you want to be (or already are) invested in the Nikon system. It's not just about the body, it's about the lenses and other accessories too.

I can understand that if you already own Nikon lenses or if your dream is to own a D2X in the future, buying a baby Nikon now is not a bad way to go (of course the D40 requires DX lenses so that makes it useless as an upgrade to a D2X). But if you are starting from scratch, Canon and Nikon are on equal ground and the choice is more about best camera for the money. That is where the Rebel wins.

_eug

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

12/24/2006 09:24:40 PM · #17

Originally posted by TJinGuy:

I just don't see reason anyone would buy either the D40 or D50.

I started of last January with a D50. It was between the D70 and the D50 and I decided I'd rather invest in the glass. Bodies will be upgraded and I wanted to put my money where it counted while moving up to d dSLR.

I agree with the D40 not being for me, but that doesn't apply to everyone. It's still a decent step up from a P&S for a student who can't afford a Canon XTi or Nikon D80.

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

12/24/2006 09:48:44 PM · #18

I've scanned a few forums and online retailers. And there are surprisingly few D50's actually in stock;

- Jessops doesn't have the D50 listed on their website. But it has the D40 for around the same price the D50 used to be

- Expansys is showing the D50 as 'Special Order' on their UK site and actually as 'Discontinued' on their Norwegian site //www.expansys.no/p.aspx?i=122833

- The D50 is not available on Amazon.co.uk, but the D40 is (and for the same price as the D50)

I'm getting a funny feeling about this.... Look at it from the Nikon marketing department's viewpoint. They couldn't price the D40 much cheaper than the D50 otherwise it'd be eating into their high-end P&S sales. But position the D40 and the D50 too close in price and it'll confuse the customer.

Maverick

Nikon D200

12/24/2006 10:11:59 PM · #19

Originally posted by TJinGuy:

(of course the D40 requires DX lenses so that makes it useless as an upgrade to a D2X)

Actually, DX lenses work on all Nikon DSLRs (including the D2X)

TJinGuy

Nikon Coolpix 2100

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/24/2006 11:30:55 PM · #20

Originally posted by Maverick:

Originally posted by TJinGuy:
(of course the D40 requires DX lenses so that makes it useless as an upgrade to a D2X)

Actually, DX lenses work on all Nikon DSLRs (including the D2X)

Sorry I just assumed that the DX lenses were like the Canon EF-S lenses.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

12/24/2006 11:43:50 PM · #21

B&H has them in stock.

See here

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

12/25/2006 05:05:30 AM · #22

Originally posted by TJinGuy:

Originally posted by Maverick:

Originally posted by TJinGuy:
(of course the D40 requires DX lenses so that makes it useless as an upgrade to a D2X)

Actually, DX lenses work on all Nikon DSLRs (including the D2X)

Sorry I just assumed that the DX lenses were like the Canon EF-S lenses.

They are, but a D2x is also a DX format camera, it has an APS-C sensor.
The DX lenses will not work, or only work with a lot of vignetting on the film cameras.

MikeO

Fujifilm x100

12/25/2006 05:44:31 AM · #23

Originally posted by Azrifel:

BTW Sander,thanks for the info on the Fuji F30 - After your article on it I did a lot of research and am buying one next month after my holiday pay comes through.

:-)

Mike

Message edited by author 2006-12-25 05:47:54.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

12/25/2006 05:55:29 AM · #24

Originally posted by TJinGuy:

I had an A-1 for 25 years and loved it, but when I went to digital, I ended up with the Nikon D70s. It was a super-easy decision for me.

That tiny little Rebel just felt wrong in my hand that was used to a large, substantial feeling camera. I'm a big guy with large hands. It was strictly a feel thing. A friend of mine loves her Rebel, but she has tiny hands.

I'll be getting a D40 for my 12 year old daughter here in the next couple of weeks.....one of the driving factors is its simplicity.....another is that we'll be able to share lenses.

Message edited by author 2006-12-25 05:59:30.