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I bought my fiancee the Nikon D40x 10 MP camera for Christmas. It came with Nikkor 18-55 and 55-200 mm lenses.

I picked it over the Canon Rebel Xti because the Nikon uses an SD card and the Canon uses a memory stick. We're familiar with the SD cards and I don't want to go through figuring out how to deal with a new memory format.

Do any of you have the D40x? What do you think of it? What is teh battery life like?

She will mainly be using it for scenery photos and some portraits for family members. As amateurs, was there any reason to hold out for the fancier/more expensive D80?

Thanks!

Actually the Rebel XTi uses compact flash. I have cameras that use CF, SD and memory stick...and they all work the same way. Never had to learn how to use them.

I went with the Canon after talking to several professional photographers on another forum I belong to. Most shoot Canon, and those that don't will soon be upgrading to Canon. They felt the XTi could do everything I would want it to do and I could spend the money on nicer lenses, since the ones with the kits are crap. I'm just starting out and already I've gotten some very nice shots...considering I really have no clue what I'm doing. I bought a few books so I will be studying on my upcoming flights.

If the battery in the Nikon is anything like the Canon, it should be fine. I've shot 4 gigs with a 300mm IS lens and not made a dent in the battery, and the IS sucks down battery life. You can always get a battery grip for extra battery life.

If the D40x does everything you want it to do, there is no need to get the higher model. Save that money for better lenses....that is where you will see the difference.

I hope she has as much fun with it as I'm having with mine.

from everything i've read the nikon is an excellent choice. i favor canon only because i've had canon SLRs for years and have a solid investment in a bunch of quality lenses and accessories.

ditto pretty much everything BEG said.

most lenses packaged with bodies are pretty crappy. spend the money you saved on lenses. i'm not super aware of the differences between nikons but with canons you're basically paying for a faster or higher quantity of rapid fire shot capability and more bells and whistles rather than straight up improved image performance.

The focal ranges you have are a great start. you might want to add something like a 100mm macro or a fixed focal length wide angle depending on where your photography interests take you...

the other item you should get is a true flash unit. the little built in ones just don't cut it for much beyond fill flash.

I also recommend using 2 memory cards especially while on trips / vacations. That way if something happens to one card you've only lost half your photos...

I have it and I LOVE it!!!!!!

It is the easiest, best camera. She will love it too!!!

I take about 100 pictures a day with it and I love everything about it.
Sandy, however, has not contacted me...a little sad!!

Thanks, everyone! Michelle, glad to get such a great review!

I think Erin will like it very much. Now I feel great about the choice.

Happy Holidays!

it's not just a camera...

it's a Nikon...

Catch&Release wrote:Thanks, everyone! Michelle, glad to get such a great review!

I think Erin will like it very much. Now I feel great about the choice.

Happy Holidays!

I forgot to mention that the battery life is great too! I have a spare battery that I keep charged but I only change it every few weeks or so. I use my camera so much that I think I should have to change it more frequently, but I don't.

The only problem with the camera is...

It doesn't fit into your pants pocket at a Jimmy Buffett concert!!!!

Thanks, everyone. Erin loves her new camera. The pics it takes are so much more vibrant than my 9 MP Fuji. It clearly has a much better sensor than the point and shoots. Once we figure out our new computer, hopefully we wil post some pictures soon.

Thanks again and Hapy New Year!

Migration Michelle wrote:

Catch&Release wrote:Thanks, everyone! Michelle, glad to get such a great review!

I think Erin will like it very much. Now I feel great about the choice.

Happy Holidays!

I forgot to mention that the battery life is great too! I have a spare battery that I keep charged but I only change it every few weeks or so. I use my camera so much that I think I should have to change it more frequently, but I don't.

The only problem with the camera is...

It doesn't fit into your pants pocket at a Jimmy Buffett concert!!!!

You obviously need bigger pants.