Nikon D40x Less than four months after the release of the Nikon D40, Nikon have announced an upgrade in time for PMA. The D40x is mostly the same as the D40 but with three major differences. The pixel count has been upped, from 6.1MP on the D40 to 10.2MP on the D40x. A lower base sensitivity of ISO100 (ISO200 on the D40) and faster continuous shooting at 3 frames per second (2.5fps for the D40). They also claim an improved Image Processing Engine and longer battery life. The key specifications/features are :

• 10 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop)
• Nikon Image processing engine (as D80 / D200)
• 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (as D80 / D50)
• New Multi-CAM530 three area AF sensor
• ISO sensitivity range 100 – 1600 plus HI 1 (3200 equiv.)
• 3.0 fps continuous shooting, unlimited in JPEG
• No status LCD, new LCD monitor based status / settings screens
• Help suggestions on LCD monitor (eg. scene too dark, try using flash)
• Large 2.5″ 230,000 pixel LCD monitor
• Bigger viewfinder view (x0.8 magnification, 95% coverage)
• Short shutter lag and viewfinder blackout
• Support for SDHC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
• In-camera retouching
  • D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
  • Red-eye reduction
  • Trimming
  • Monochrome
  • Filter effects
  • Small picture
  • Image overlay
• USB 2.0 with PTP and Mass Storage device support
• Very compact, light body (smaller, lighter than D50)
• Improved menu user interface (as D80 / D200)
• New EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion battery (7.2V, 1000 mAh)

Set for a global launch on March 22nd, the Nikon D40x is priced at $799 with the 18-55mm kit lens.

Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200 mm lens Along with the D40x announcement, an updated version of the AF-S DX 55-200 mm lens was announced, the AF-S DX VR 55-200 mm F4.0-F5.6G IF-ED. Designed specifically for Nikons DX Format DSLRs (D80,D40, D40x), it features Nikon’s VR (vibration reduction) system for image stabilisation and sports a Silent ave motor for fast, accurate autofocusing. When used on a 1.5 crop body such as the D40x, the 55-200mm lens gives an equivalent field of view of 82.5-300mm.