What's the deal with the Nikon D40?

I'm surprised this hasn't been talked about in this newsgroup --

"The word" is that Nikon will make two announcements at the PMA show
next week: the D3 professional DSLR (near-full-frame, 20 megapixel),
and the upgraded D40 with a 10 megapixel sensor.

But the rumor mill also has it that the existing D40's (with serial
numbers over 302xxx) also have the 10 megapixel sensor, but it's
limited by the firmware to 6 megapixels. Further, Nikon will sell a
special firmware update or "unlocking key" for the affected cameras
over the Internet.

Any more information on this?

 

That last part (about the firmware update for existing D40's) has been
admitted to have been a hoax.

 

And so a new rumour begins......

 

So why should we be wasting our time with this?

 

"Sell" an unlocking key? This would be (if true) the most disgusting
scam since Intel hobbled some of their cpus to disable the co-
processor function in order to create an artificial price point. But
how could they do this?
I can't see it being possible without physically reducing the coverage
area of the sensor by turning off pixel banks.

 

The D40 with 10 megapixels would be a Canon Rebel-killer. I'm curious to
see whether we do see a higher megapixel D40 or whether the body is a
D50 replacement with 10 megapixels.

 

Yawn! ... FYI, all D40 cameras in Canada have serial numbers over
302xxx, up here they start at 50xxxx.

 

Especially, when Canon will launch a $500usd 6.1 megapixel 3000D/XTjr soon.

 

Yeah but it'll still have that toy construction which the Rebels are
famous for. I wish Canon had more respect for their reputation and would
stop selling cameras with such lousy construction. If they'd give the
Rebel a sturdy shell, there would be little to complain about with that
camera.

 

Hmm, do they just fall apart or something, hard to handle, what?

Please explain in detail what a "sturdy shell" is and what is so
important about it. Seems to me if the camera isn't in danger of
falling apart, the controls work, and one can get a good grip on the
camera then it is sturdy.

Greg

 

You're right. The Rebel is just so perfectly designed that it just
screams -- SCREAMS -- quality. Everyone who touches it thinks "wow, I
am so lucky to spend $900 on a digital camera which is as poorly
constructed as the $180 35mm Rebel. The fit and finish are perfect --
who needs attention to details like smoothly turning dials, non-cheap
buttons, a well-engineered body that doesn't creak when you grip the
back with your thumb, tight joints, etc. I am perfectly happy with the
Rebel!"

Sarcasm aside, if they spent $5 extra dollars on manufacturing a better
shell, there would be no problem. A DSLR should have better
manufacturing quality than a $200 A610.

 

I don't know which Rebel you've used but none of that applies to my XT
nor my previous Rebel.

If they only needed to spend $5 then they must not need to do much. You
haters crack me up.

Greg

 

Haters? I would have bought a Rebel if not for the toy-like construction
and I own a Canon P&S. Everything in this newsgroup doesn't have to be
Nikon versus Canon.

Have you ever stopped to think about how cheap it is to manufacture
these cameras versus how much the companies derive from profits? Canon
has decided their profit margin on each Rebel sold is more important
than quality construction.