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Nikon has unveiled its new D40, the latest addition to its line of digital SLR cameras. Designed to bring the picture performance, excitement and experience of Nikon's digital SLR cameras to more customers than ever before, the D40 is an ultra-compact, lightweight 6.1-effective megapixel D-SLR that offers simplified new features, exceptional speed and a redesigned, visually-intuitive menu system. The D40 also incorporates handling and performance advantages that eliminate the frustrations often associated with compact digital cameras, making it ideal for anyone who wants to capture spectacular digital pictures without complication.

The D40 features a 6.1-effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor, a highly advanced Nikon Image Processing Engine and Nikon's exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II. For those who want more control over their shots, alternative metering options, such as spot metering, center-weighted metering and exposure compensation, are also available.

The D40 powers up and is ready to shoot in only 0.18 seconds. With minimal shutter lag time the camera provides a 2.5 frames per second rate for up to 100 consecutive shots (in JPEG Normal mode). The D40's three-area auto-focus system also adds to the camera's overall speed. Incorporating Nikon's advanced Multi-CAM 530 AF Sensor Module, the three-area AF system, with central cross-type sensor operation, adds effective new focusing options.

The D40's innovative information display can be shown in Classic format or with the new Graphic and Wallpaper formats for Digital Vari-Program modes and Program Auto, Shutter-priority Auto, Aperture-priority Auto and Manual (P/S/A/M) exposure modes. The D40's size, layout and operation of all controls are designed for maximum ease-of-use. The result is a very compact, light SLR camera.

The camera's Image Optimize menu options include sharpness, tone (contrast), color, saturation and hue optimization are controlled by the user-selected choice of Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black-and-White. The D40 also features an image Retouch menu, with exclusive in-camera editing functions.

The D40 is also compatible with Nikon's range of i-TTL technology enabled Speedlights including the SB-800, SB-600 and the recently introduced SB-400. A perfect companion for the D40, the SB-400 is an ultra-compact, lightweight Speedlight which is ideal for photographing subjects at extended distances or illuminating subjects with a softer, more natural appearing lighting effect with its bounce flash capability. With a guide number of over 98 feet the SB-400 provides all of the power and coverage that a D40 customer may demand for shooting group shots and reducing harsh shadows. All of the SB-400's settings can be controlled automatically by the camera's metering system or manually from the camera's built-in menus.

The D40 comes with Nikon's PictureProject software that makes transferring, organizing and sharing images easy. The camera also includes a 30-day trial version for Capture NX software (optional).

The D40 camera and the new 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens will be packaged together and made available beginning December 2006 for an estimated selling price of $599.95.

www.nikonusa.com.