5 comments about HP Photosmart MZ67 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Zoom.

1. Great camera! Takes great pictures and video, and has a lot of awesome features like you can crop a picture and remove red eyes right on the camera. Also, it's just the right size. It's not as slim as some other cameras, but it's not bulky either. One thing I don't like about this camera, though is that you can't listen to your videos on the camera. You can record and watch them, but there's no audio.



2. I have wanted a digital camera for a long time but couldnt justify the expenditure and I didnt want to get one with less than $5 mp. This camera is GREAT! it has red eye remover build in the camera, the pics and clear and the zoom is very good and the software is good. I am very happy with the purchase and the price makes it sweet! Great images and now im ready for anything.



3. I am very disappointed with this camera. I hate to leave a negative review, but I have no choice...I have owned several HP digital cameras(and other products) over the past several years and have loved each and every one of them(I am very faithful to buying only HP products) . They were all easy to use right out of the box and I never ever had any problems with the color of my photos. UNTIL NOW:( I was so exicted to purchase this camera and could not wait til it arrived.It got awesome reviews so I knew it had to be good... The seller sent it promptly(THANK YOU J&R camera:) and when it arrived I opened the box, and I immediatly started to use it. I work with preschoolers and could not wait to see the photos I had taken of the little cuties. Much to my surprise my photos were a horrible shade of YELLOW!! So I tried again and again and still my photos were yellow...Now, I'm no professional photographer, but I do have several years of experiance using digital cameras, and have never had a problem like this...I called HP and after over an hour of trouble shooting, they sent me a replacement camera thinking perhaps it was defective. Well, that was a month ago and I still have the same issues. I am not sure what I could be doing wrong. I have tried changing the settings and everything and still they are yellow. I am not used to having to change any settings for the color, as I have never had to in the past and my photos turned out beautiful...so perhaps I'm doing something wrong...or perhaps this isn't the camera for me....it's certainly not as easy to use as my past cameras...unfortunatly, it has been over 30 days and I can't return it. I wish I knew how to solve this problem....HP tech support only left me frustrated...



4. This is the first HP product we have ever regretted buying. This camera is totally useless outdoors in bright sunlight. You cannot see a thing on the LCD screen, even at its brightest setting, and the battery saving feature turns it off too soon while you are struggling to see the picture. Trying to use the zoom with a questionable live view is also impossible as you cannot find your target. The photos that do result appear to be OK, but you can't count on getting what you really wanted. We had to resort to our old HP Photosmart 935 camera on recent vacation - fortunately we took both along. Whoever decided that optical viewfinders should be eliminated is crazy. And, to not be able to recharge batteries without a dock is absurd while travelling. HP - rethink your line of cameras!



5. A close friend purchased one of these cameras over a year ago (an older model than mine) and I was instantly amazed at how user friendly it was. My daughter was looking at digital cameras and I suggested the HP which after doing some research she purchased the HP MZ67. After playing around with hers I also bought one! The pictures are clear, it takes wonderful videos, has a nice large veiwing screen and the price is hard to beat. My friend is still using her older model as well with no complaints!

5 comments about Vivitar Vivicam 5100 5.0 MP Digital Camera.

1. This is basically a digital point and shoot, but IT DELETED 250 PICTURES FROM MY MEMORY CARD WITHOUT WARNING, and I lost all of my pictures from a 2 month backpacking trip. Be careful, and do not insert a memory card that already has pictures on it, I think that is how they got deleted.



2. I purchased this camera earlier this year and fell in love with it immediately! At 5.1 Mega-pixels resolution, it produces excellent photographs that can be printed clearly at up to 8"x10" in size. I use a 512MB Kingston SD card (Available for around $20 on Amazon.com), which provides me with plenty of storage space for photos and video clips. I've only filled the card completely once, and I had over 120 images and around 100 video clips of varying length. A 512MB card at full-resolution will probably store at least 350-400 images. In addition to high-quality, high-resolution pictures, the Vivicam 5100 can record video clips and has a decent built-in microphone (The sound quality is great unless there's a breeze blowing into the microphone, which causes some distortion in the sound).
   
   The best feature of the Vivitar 5100 is the use of AA batteries, instead of bulky camera batteries. I use rechargeable batteries, so I just keep 6-8 fully-charged batteries in the case (sold separately) with the camera, and I never have to worry about running out of juice. If I ever do, I know I can easily buy a new set of batteries anywhere I go, so I don't have to wait until I can put the camera or battery on the charger for a few hours to continue shooting.
   
   There's one thing to remember about this camera: It's a basic point-and-shoot model, and is not suitable for the advanced photographer. It has a relatively slow shutter speed, which means it simply won't capture fast-action shots, so you may end up with some blurry pictures. Fortunately, you don't have to waste time or money getting the pictures developed to find out whether or not they are blurry - just erase them right on the camera! Several other reviewers have mentioned that there is a slight delay between pushing the button and capturing the picture, which is true but not a major problem for most instances. Also, this camera has no optical zoom capability, so you can't get the same high-res pictures if the subject is too far away. It has a digital zoom, but all that does is crop the image, meaning you can't print it at full size to get the same high-quality image. This hasn't cause me any problems, but is good to know about. Again, this is a perfect entry-level digital camera.
   
   I was able to use the camera immediately when I opened the box, but found out later that the camera was factory-set with a date-stamp on all the images, which couldn't be removed. All of my first-day pictures had the date printed over the image. That wasn't too bad, but I wish I had known ahead of time so I could have taken that off before shooting all those pics!
   
   This is my first digital camera, and I couldn't be happier with it. I'm sure I'll upgrade to a higher-end camera eventually, but this one serves my needs very well for now, and was certainly worth the $70 I paid for it - worth a lot more, in fact. If you're new to digital cameras or just want something basic to capture memories, this is the camera for you!



3. This camera is ok if you are just looking for a typical, average, not-so-special digital camera. It is not a good camera for photographing small up close items. For normal everyday photos of people or places, then this is a good camera for you. The 'zoom' feature only works if you have the resolution set to the highest it can go...which is only 3 options. You can have black & white, sephia, and colored photos. This camera does not like to photograph moving images. I have owned this camera for about 2 years now and its done the jobs needed to be done :] this camera can also record up to about 5 minutes of video, that can come in handy.



4. The only thing I'm disappointed about this camera is the low memory storage it has. You can only hold about 15 pictures on the camera with out buying a larger memory or downloading them to your computer.



5. I agree with the other reviewers that this is definitely an entry level camera. It takes very good pictures outdoors. Colors are rich, contrast is sharp. However, it's a nightmare to work this thing indoors. It's nearly impossible to not get some sort of blur in indoor pictures. First, the view finder takes a long time to come into focus so you basically have to remain still for around 3 seconds before even pressing the button. Once you press the button, it's anyone's guess how long the shutter lag will be, so you better keep still until you hear the click. Even if you do manage to take a picture indoor without any movement, the colors are flat and contrast poor. You have to use photoshop to improve any single indoor picture. I swear, I have taken better looking photos with my cell phone than with this camera. Again, this problem is with indoors lighting. No such problems outdoors for me.
   
   Another bad thing is that the camera eats up battery charge super fast. Even with Duracell batteries, the battery meter goes down within minutes. Basically you have to bring a lot of backup batteries with you if you intend to take lots of pictures.
   
   The one positive surprise about this camera is the video feature. The video and sound quality is actually quite good give how mediocre the camera's pictures are.
   
   In conclusion, if you buy this expecting a mediocre starter camera for under $100, you won't be disappointed. However, you have high expectations, you will be sorely disappointed.

5 comments about Canon Powershot SD400 5MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom.

1. Great tool for carrying in a tiny purse ALL the time!
   
   + 2.5 years old and still works and looks like new
   + excellent battery life
   + compact - fits pockets and tiny purses
   + has a viewfinder - so when my LCD cracked (no apparent reason), I still could take photos!
   + great zoom for a point-and-shoot
   
   - no memory meter until u have 2 seconds left!
   - no manual shutter controller - but ok for a point-and-shoot
   - LCD cracked on its own 1.5 years after i got it - no pressure was applied and no temperature extremes either. Fixed it for about $90 on ebay.
   
   Overall, with so many minuses -a for 2.5 - 3 years old, 5MP camera with cracked LCD - its not the hottest thing anymore. Yet I get compliments on it all the time (size especially), maybe cause I use it everyday and love it.



2. My daughter purchased this camera about 3 years ago. She absolutely loves it, but unfortunately, she tripped and fell with it in her hand. The display no longer worked but the camera still took great pictures. She tried to buy another but they were so expensive and all the stores said it would be cheaper to buy something new than get that one fixed. I called Canon and they said they would fix it for $99 + $7 shipping. She was ecstatic, so we sent it off to them. Canon emailed when they received it, then they emailed the next day that it was being repaired at no cost, and then they emailed the next day with the tracking number for FedEx, and we received it the following day. Canon said they fixed it as a courtesy. They didn't only fix the display, but they updated the software, fixed the zoom, which she didn't even think about at the time to ask them to also look at, and they even polished it so it looked almost new. It now works as if it were new. They had no reason not to charge us because it has been long out of warranty. I am extremely impressed with Canon, and in fact, I am asking for a camera for Christmas for myself and have specifically requested a Canon in light of this.



3. Everyone has it... for a reason. It is a great camera! Small and powerful!!



4. I've owned this camera now for a few years. As a Computer Engineer and Computer Tech I am required to work a lot with digital cameras. I must say that this camera exceed all my expectations. Great quality, small, long battery life, great flash and many options. When I print the images at local stores (Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, etc.) the images are so sharp, some people think they are post cards.
   
   Even though it's a bit outdated, I still recommend this camera. Don't let the megapixels fool you, it's all marketing techniques. Even though it is only 5MP, this is more than what most people need. I take most of my pictures at 1600x1200 which is not even using the full potential of the camera which goes up to 2592x1944, and still the images and printed photos come out spectacular. For those of you experiencing the "Memory Card Error", save your pictures first on the computer, you can use an SD adapter or if you have a memory card reader just plug it in. Once you have saved all of your pictures on the chip, perform a format of the chip on the camera, it is located after hitting the Menu button, point to Tools icon, then scroll down. The option to format is right under "Clock/Display". If you still continue to experience problems try a different brand of SD cards. I use Sandisk, RiData, and Kingston which work very well. Some of you have also been wondering about how to reset your camera to factory settings. Turn the camera on and press the Menu button for about 6 seconds. You will then be asked if you wish to reset to default settings, select yes. This solves a lot of out of focus problems or incorrect settings applied to the camera. If you have any problems with your camera just contact me, I'm willing to help.
   
   Joshua Marius
   www.letheonline.net



5. Now I have had it for 3 years, great pictures of outside spaces, not so good on the inside or dark areas. The best is that you can fit it everywhere, I always carry it with me (I used to forget my cameras and never take pics, does not happen with this one). Now there are better resolution cameras for the price that I paid, but Canon is the best for leisure use.

3 comments about 10.1 Mp Digital Camera Black.

1. Very good product. The zoom at the wide end is significantly wider than almost all other cameras of this class, and this is much more useful than having more at the telephoto end of the zoom. This is its most compelling feature as far as I am concerned.
   
   Picture quality good for the small receptor size. Battery life is exceptional. Could be the ideal pocket camera.



2. The movies recorded in UHQ-Wide mode are always choppy and the I/O of the camera cannot handle this resolution in movies even though they have this resolution available (UHQ-wide: 848 × 480)
   
   As you go down with the resolution it performs OK.
   
   Also, it does not optically zoom in the video mode. You can only digitally zoom which deteriorates the picture quality. The recorded sound is in mono rather than stereo.
   
   Also, its not obvious how to manually tune the shutter speed other than using the available "best-shot" feature that modifies other setup parameters as well, which is not what you always want to do.
   
   FYI.
   
   I actually ordered this product but have been using my friends camera until it arrives for testing. I am not too impressed.



3. This camera comes with a long long lasting battery. I didn't have to charge for 2 birthday parties and half-day trip!!!

5 comments about Sony Cybershot DSC-M2 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Wide Zoom.

1. I always say that there is technology you can use and technology you can impress others with.
   This model helps you do both. You have a nice 5.1 MP still camera and MPEGMovie4TV video.
   The very fact that you have a camera which you can take both still pictures and video is huge. I never had a video camera before because I hate to carry two camera and a big camera case, so this was the obvious solution.
   I realize that instead of embracing the moment (for which they need the memory) most people often juggle between cameras.
   Cons:
   * Sometimes people might confuse it with camera phone
   * Buttons are harder to find
   * Software is not the best
   * Wish had more zoom
   Pros:
   * Convince
   * Compact
   * Battery lasts long
   * Flash is good
   * Video sound quality is good
   I wonder why this model has not swept the market - another story of good product and mad marketing.



2. I can't believe they haven't made more and these are so hard to find now! I've had mine for a year now and it is awesome. Finally a handy marriage between a still camera and a video camera. Parents and grandparents everywhere I go wish they had one to catch EVERY fun moment with the kids. My only complaint is the low-light capabilities. Pictures just won't turn out and movies are terrible unless you're outside or inside with bright lights.



3. I was so excited when I got this camera from Amazon. Why ? The looks alone - the flip out screen was cool, like a mini camcorder. It has MPEG4 with Stereo Sound which is, indeed, very cool. And, the video is great! But that was where the excitement ended. Now I'm not technical but I've had 3 digial cameras in the past so let me explain in simple terms why this camera sucks.
   
   Why does this camera suck ?
   
   It's bulky. Had they packed in something better than the standard 3x optical zoom I could understand that but they didn't.
   
   Pictures came out blurry in darker settings. Maybe I didn't make the right settings adjustements ? But it's the worst in standard settings of all my cameras.
   
   Flash is weak. Again with a camera this size you expect more.
   
   5.1 Megapixel camera only. Not bad, but come one, my wife's credit card sized DCS T10 does 7.2, so again, why is this camera so big if the specs are so... average...
   
   You need the base station to both charge the camera and view on the TV using the AV cables. Considering the base sticks out like a sore thumb with its bulky design its not something you can easily take with you unless you are carrying luggage or something. Bad choice.
   
   But here is what really clinched it. After having 3 cameras where the LCD screen was exposed I thought, wow, this screen is protected inside so it will never break - never mind none of my screens ever broke before. So what happened? Two months after I got the camera I dropped it from from waist level and it fell on a little rock or something because I saw a little indentation on the outside and guess what - the LCD screen was all messed up. 90% unviewable. $450 wasted. I wasn't going to put in another $200 to get this junker fixed.
   
   Bottom line? Best video I've seen, esp. for the size. Everything else about the camera sucked.



4. THIS CAMERA WAS GREAT FOR THE 1YR AND 3 MONTHS THAT I HAD THE CAMERA IN PERFECT CONDITION. FIRST OF ALL YOU NEED TO GET A CARRYING CASE FOR IT IF NOT U ARE GONNA GO THROUGH WHAT IM GOING THRU. THE SLIDE CLICK WHEEL(fwd button) TO CHANGE PICS AND VIDEOS WHEN IN VIEWING THEM SNAPPED OFF AN BROKE ON ME. THE CAMERA BEEN ACTING FUNNY ON ME LIKE LOCKING UP ON ME AND WONT CHANGE MODES, IT WONT STOP RECORDING VIDEO AFTER I PRESS THE VIDEO BUTTON AGAIN, AND WHEN IM VIEWING PHOTOS AND VIDEOS THE CAMERA SOMETIMES STARTS SWITCHING AUTOMATICALLY FROM PHOTO TO PHOTO OR VIDEO FROM VIDEO WHEN IN VIEWING MODE. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE CAMERA WHEN ACTING LIKE THIS IS TURNING IT OFF AND ON AGAIN BUT SOMETIMES I STARTS TO ACT THE SAME WAY SHORTLY AFTER, THIS IS STARTING TO GET FRUSTRATING SO I WAS WONDERING IF SONY SELLS ADDITIONAL PARTS LIKE THIS OR DO I NEED NEED TO REPLACE THE CAMERA.



5. This is the most aesthetic camera I have ever seen, the vertical design allows one hand operation without the risk of dropping it, perfect for having fun at parties or vacation.
   
   PROS:
   Easy to use.
   BIG shooting buttons! (not the ones you have to press with toothpick fingers on other cameras).
   Long last battery.
   Not too big files.
   Pretty descent video/photo quality.
   
   CONS:
   Fragile (simply get a good case).
   Not a Professional camera (if that's what you're looking for), only 5mp 3x zoom.
   Zooming should be associated with the jog control during camera mode.
   
   
   I wish Sony make new improved models of hybrid cameras. Meanwhile I'm really happy with my DSC-M2.

No comments about Kodak EasyShare M1063 10.3 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver).

5 comments about Tamrac Explorer 10 DSLR Camera Bag (Black).

1. I purchased this bag to go with my new camera, the Canon Powershot S5 IS. It fits well, but I did have to move one of the dividers to fit the camera well. I can carry my extra camera card, extra batteries, the camera manual, and more. It does seem larger in the picture and measurements they give than when it arrived, but it's the perfect size.



2. A good sturdy bag, but I know Tamrac bags are strudy because i
   used one for 5 or 6 years already. The new bag works for the new
   camera along with all the accessories. The seller delivered the bag
   on time and well packed. I give the bag and the seller **** stars. Why
   not five? I feel very few things in life rate 5 stars....



3. Exellent quality, but a tight fit for my Nikon D40. Not much room for anything else.



4. I was a little nervous ordering a camera bag online. It is so hard to judge size & pocket placement, etc. I am very happy with this bag. I have a Canon Rebel XTi and one lens. I didn't want something really bulky to be carrying around (along with a diaper bag, a baby, a toddler and a kindergartener)! This fits the camera & lens and some accessories such as extra batteries and memory cards. I would recommend this.



5. The bag's quality is quite good and it has lots of pouches and spaces to keep accessories well organized. I own a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 and I like to leave it permanently with the lens protector and an UV filter on to avoid scratches on the camera lens. A trade-off for the addes protection is the extra space it occupies, but even on this situation it fits nicely on this bag.

3 comments about LCD Timer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon 40D 30D 20D with Remote Control.

1. I was debating getting a standard canon battery grip for my 40D but when i came across this, after a great deal of debating, I went with this one to see if it would be cool. Out of the package it looks nice, and buttons are functional. I slapped it on my camera and proceeded to a wedding to take photos.. When I would grab the vertical grip it would turn off... (as in the power would be lost). It became such a headache that I took it off and shot without it. Pretty much thinking that I was going to return it the moment I got out of there. I thought originally it was a bad connection in the neck, but it looked fine. I would press it and twist it and somehow it would click back on... The next night after looking it over, finally I realized that on the inside where the door opens to insert the battery tray there was a small button that needs to be pressed in to allow it to work. The door doesn't press it in far enough, and when you rotate it vertical the tray presses just enough that it turns the camera off! I have no idea why they would want to have that little button on there, as it serves no purpose. I ended up taking super glue and gluing the button fully depressed in order to use the camera with this grip.
   
   Aside from that little bit of fun fixing buttons (hopefully this helps others with it) the grip is rather nice, works and does what it is suppose to do. If it didn't have that little button on there (i still don't understand why they have it) I would give this a phenomenal review. I do hope that doing this doesn't effect something else, but this is the only way to make it work properly.
   
   (oh, and don't be scared, for some reason the product states "Works only with 20D and 30D cameras"... same body frame I guess)



2. Quickly:
   Pros: low price compared to OEM battery grip, fits my 40D very nicely
   Cons: cheap parts, poor implementation of timers
   
   Another reviewer talked about a button inside the battery compartment that needed to be pressed in to keep the unit working. I had no such issue. I'm not sure if the button referenced was in the camera's battery compartment or the grip's battery compartment but I suspect the camera's.
   That button is placed there by Canon so that the camera will not operate unless the battery door is closed or the grip is properly installed.
   
   The grip is worth the price (compared to Canon's pricing) just as a dual battery grip so I shouldn't have much to complain about, but I'm still disappointed in the quality of this product.
   
   The blue backlight is anemic and completely useless in all but the darkest situations, that combined with the generally low contrast of the LCD display makes reading the display less than simple.
   
   The instructions are poorly translated from another language and it took me a few tries to figure things out.
   Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that the shutter release timer and repeat timer are integrated functions, which doesn't really make sense to me.
   You set the timer to take an image every 10 seconds and HAVE to set an exposure time of at least one second or the timer will not release the camera's shutter. Setting the exposure to zero SHOULD fire the shutter at the shortest possible timing. To get repetitive shots at 10 second intervals you need to set the repeat timer to 9 seconds and the exposure timer to 1 second. In all but 'bulb' mode the camera will still only open the shutter for the time set by on the camera, the grip just count up to 1 second for no good reason. I'm hard pressed to think of a situation where one would want to take repetitive bulb exposures the way this grip/timer thinks we would and is not the behavior implied in the product's description.
   
   The remote control only works in the specific remote control mode but it works reliably from a good distance.
   
   For some inexplicable reason the timer also has a date/time function. The clock can't be used in any way to control picture taking, nor does it set the time on or from the camera. It's just there. Any on my unit the time resets to 1-1-00 any time I open the battery door on the grip even though the separate clock battery is installed, activated and charged.
   
   Overall the construction is good for plastic. The wheel near the vertical shutter release feels cheap and is not as precise as the the upper wheel on the camera but gets the job done . The zoom buttons are very squishy and I have a hard time telling if I've pressed them and the timer setting buttons are almost too small, I have to press them with a finger nail to be sure I'm hitting the right one and pressing it down enough.
   
   I'm still up in the air about this item and may yet return it because of the design and implementation flaws. It's very well priced compared to Canon's grip-only product, but its just so badly done in all the other functions that I'm having a hard time liking it.



3. As one reviewer noted, this grip has a weird design flaw - fortunately for me, I read his review before ordering, and was aware of that potential 'gotcha' because mine did the exact same thing. The battery compartment door, on the grip itself (NOT the camera's batter compartment) has a mechanism that mirrors that on the cameras battery compartment - a small lever that much be pushed in for the camera to operate. And like the other reviewers, the door of my grip's battery compartment door did not close tight enough to push it's lever in, thereby making its operation spotty. I superglued the lever in the closed position, and now it works like a charm. I like the way it feels, adds a nice heft to the camera, my 30D now has a wireless remote, and I can use 2 batteries at a time (or AAs should the need arise, a very handy option.) For the price, I am very satisfied and would recommend this product to others, just being sure to inform them of that battery compartment door lever issue.
   
   Pros:
   Wireless Remote
   AA adapter
   Once the gotcha was fixed, works well.
   Price
   
   
   Cons:
   The LCD is not that useful. I wish it mirrored the LCD of the camera, but it mostly just is a calendar/clock. The grip supposedly allows some time-lapse feature, but I have not looked at that in depth.

5 comments about Panasonic DMC-L1 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica 14-50mm Mega O.I.S. Lens.

1. considering that you can get the camera for much cheaper than what it originally was priced its a great bargain. You first get a DSLR with a live view, bounce flash and great analog controls then the 2.8 14-50mm (28-100mm equivalent) Leica lens with Mega OIS. And with the four-thirds system that is steadily gaining popularity you really cant go wrong.



2. I 've been taking pictures for 25 years with different cameras (OM 1O, EOS 10, LUMIX dmc-fz20, EOS 400d...) and I wanted something special for my 40's. This machine is absolutly perfect. Actually, this was design and created with Leica (this is exactly the same camera as the Leica Digilux 3). Some will say it's only a 7.5MP SLR camera! Indeed, but perfectly "adjusted". You can use Zuiko lenses which are great.
   I do recommand this Panasonic dmc-L1!



3. I bought this camera when Amazon had them for $799. I thought it would be a good camera to re-familiarize myself with manual controls and a higher degree of involvement with photography. I was also in love with the design and layout of the controls and the body.
   I will not get into an analysis of the pros and cons of this camera; there is enough information out there to provide anyone with a sense of how the L1 measures against the competition. I will however, contribute a few observations.
   
   Even though the viewfinder is dark and small, you adapt to it fairly well. I used the camera on a 4 day trip to Colorado and found it a lot better to manage than I initially thought.
   
   This camera requires patience and a willingness to try different things. If you just stick it in Auto, you miss the whole point of using this unique instrument. A tweak here, an adjustment there, and you are rewarded with rich, detailed and well balanced images.
   
   You will be stunned at the quality of images this camera produces. Outdoor shots are beautifully rendered, bokeh is quite good, and the 14-50mm Leica lens is a joy to use, albeit a tad unforgiving when the wrong settings are used.
   
   7 megapixels is more than most people need.
   
   Low light performance is really poor. The AF hunts and hunts, high ISO performance is relatively noisy (But why would anyone shoot above ISO800 anyway?) and the built in flash only works well at close range. One cool feature is the bounce-flash feature, which returns well lit and not washed out portraits, but only at a reasonable distance.
   
   I have a Nikon D300 SLR that I use for more professional applications. I however prefer to use the L1 as a walk around, fun camera. It behaves very much like an analog camera.
   
   Perhaps one shouldn't think of this camera's challenges as shortcomings, but of how far digital photography has advanced and even gone beyond film in performance and flexibility.
   
   As long as lighting conditions are good, this camera shines!



4. I love this camera. I've used Canons and Nikons in the past, especially D30s and D40s, and I much prefer using the L1. I almost always shoot manual, and find the actual, physical controls on this to be a great improvement over all the buttons on the Canon. The design/navigation of the menu is also the nicest I've seen on a digital camera (have also owned Sony and Fuji). Picture quality is outstanding. Plus, I admit I really like walking past people carrying their omnipresent Canons and Nikons, while I'm sporting a much rarer Lumix.
   
   The single biggest flaw with this is the viewfinder. It really is too dark - a problem common to many dSLRs which don't use pentaprisms like film SLRs. It can be worked around, but it's a real annoyance.
   
   Also, be aware that this is not a small, inconspicuous camera.



5. When this camera was introduced I knew I wanted one. The look and feature set just appealed to me. Finally I got one. It is not a perfect camera for everyone, but get your hands on one and it speaks for itself. I love using this camera and I find it quite comfortable to use with everything where I expect it to be. Some features I particularly like are the manual controls, two-stage flash, live view, and the kit lens.
   
   The manual controls feel more natural than using menus. I especially like the quick access buttons on the back and the drive mode and metering switches on top. Though these switches can change position easily at times, I still much prefer it to delving into a menu. I also love the two programable function buttons. This can be very useful, though be warned that one of them defaults to aperture when using a lens without the ring. But this has its workarounds.
   
   I normally avoid using flash, but on the L1 I will try to find a way to use it. The bounce flash I find especially useful for portraits. The power of the flash I think is also very good for a built in unit. Its also amusing to see other peoples' faces when you pop the flash.
   
   Live view is a feature many seem to scoff at, but I find it quite useful. It also helps to compensate for the viewfinder's deficiencies or when you really want to get that unique perspective.
   
   And last but not least, the LEICA lens. I wanted a bright lens, and the L1 comes with one. Having a quality piece of glass to start with is a real plus and this lens is part of what makes the L1 the camera it is.
   
   The L1 has its faults and quirks too.
   
   The viewfinder is small and dark. Though I don't find it to be any darker than the viewfinder on my old Canon AE-1, it is smaller than most. But it is adequate for ordinary shooting and something you quickly adjust to. If you're shooting detail you can use Live VIew to check focus and to better view in dark lighting.
   
   The auto focus is normally quick and near silent, but it does struggle in dim lighting or under harsh backlighting. Then the lens racks through its range and can make a bit of noise. But it is quieter than mechanical focus systems and I find it to be very accurate most of the time.
   
   Lastly a few nit-picks. The flash being located off center from the lens axis can cause uneven lighting, but it is barely noticeable and often only occurs at either close or far distances. Also, don't use the lens hood with the flash as it causes shadows. The shutter dial is nice to use, except it doesn't turn 360 degrees. This makes switching from aperture to shutter priority a slight pain at times. But it isn't a big deal unless you switch between shooting modes a lot. Battery life isn't stellar by comparison to some others, especially if you use Live View a lot. So an extra battery would be suggested.
   
   Overall this is a very unique piece of photographic equipment and is one you will either love or hate. But don't just take peoples' word for it. Get your hands on one and see for yourself. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm proud to own what will surely become a piece of photographic history.

5 comments about Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens.

1. I have now owned my D40 for just under a year and I am hooked. I've shot 10,000+ pics and still counting. It's size, ease of use, and user friendly interface are perfect for people thinking of getting into the DSLR world; and the battery life is phenomenal! The only things I wish this camera came with were the ability to bracket shots automatically, and an intervolometer, other than that I love my D40!



2. Camera purchase okay and good camera. Very dissatisfied with Amazon as they canceled another order with no explanation. Will not order again from Amazon.



3. I kept telling myself, "I'm a Canon person, I'm a Canon person." The Eye-Fi crew kept trying to turn me into a Mac person, now they were trying to turn me into a Nikon person? I didn't think this was possible. They had a D40 shipped out to us for testing and I was quite a bit more surprised at how excellent this camera was. After using a Nikon L11 Point N Shoot, I didn't think that the D40 would tickle my fancy. In fact, I expected to be disappointed.
   
   It seemed like no matter what mode I put it in, I just could not get a bad picture to come out of this camera. Even when I mistakenly left it on manual focus and took way too many pictures that were out of focus they still seemed good! The ISO settings were amazing, as well. I put it all the way up to ISO 800 and still failed to get any real noticeable noise in the pictures (unless you looked at 150% or so). ISO 100 was absolutely fabulous, no noise whatsoever. I took a ton of night shots with this camera, never disappointed.
   
   The Nikon DSLR really changed my opinions on Nikons. I will still never use another Nikon PnS again anytime in the future, but I am now a Nikon DSLR fan!



4. I have been very pleased with this camera and recommend it to anyone who wants to take great pictures. I love being able to zoom in without losing the quality of the picture. This camera is good for sports or just taking still pictures. I rate this product with a 5 star



5. I have now owned the Nikon D40 for almost a year, and I feel that I now have a strong enough opinion on this camera to write a meaningful review.
   
   The D40 was my first digital SLR. Going back about a year, around this time in 2007, I was busy doing a lot of research on whether I should buy the Canon digital rebel XT, or the Nikon D40 (both of which are entry-level SLRs from the two leading camera manufacturers). I am glad now that I chose the D40. When it came down to it, both the D40 and XT were for the most part equally matched, in both price and specs. I chose the Nikon D40 simply because it felt like a more tough, less "plasticy" body. If you are currently caught in the same position that I was at the time, I urge you to go to some electronics store, and try both of the cameras out. Get a feel for them, and make your buying decision based on which one is more comfortable in your hands.
   
   However, this is not a review of the Canon Rebel XT, so without further adieu, let me tell you why I have loved the D40 so much over the past year.
   
   1.) this is a camera that can easily grow with you. It offers a host of customizable features - far more than you would find in any point and shoot camera. As you begin to explore photography, you will find that the D40 contains many doors for you to open along the way (some of which you might never even touch, depending on your style of photography). I consider myself an advanced amateur photographer, and I love the D40. Many people seem to think that it's only useful for absolute beginners, but that's simply not the case. Additionally, as an SLR camera, the D40 allows the interchanging of lenses, for more creative and professional control over your images. While this is all true, please realize that the D40 cannot grow with you forever. As an entry-level SLR, it has limitations that I will describe later.
   
   2.) The image quality of the D40 is fantastic, as you would expect. If you're worried because the D40 has "only" 6 megapixels, don't be. 6 megapixels is enough to capture plenty of detail in your images, and will allow you to make fantastic prints at 8x10 inches. If you print larger than 8x10, the quality will degrade slightly, but not to a significant degree. I have recently been making 11x14'' prints, and they have all turned out wonderfully sharp. Tied in to the technical image quality is the "noise" performance of a camera. As you increase your camera's ISO setting (which determines how sensitive it is to light), you will begin to see an increase in what's known as digital noise: the off-colored speckles/grain that appears in many indoor and nighttime images. Some cameras produce more of this grain than others, but the D40 is a very solid performer. The reason for this brings us back to megapixels. The higher number of a megapixels a camera has, the more noise it will produce (unless noise reduction is applied). Thus, with 6 megapixels, the D40 unsurprisingly has better noise performance than the more expensive 10 megapixel D80 ($600) and D200 ($1000). Of course, with the D80 and D200 you are given a lot of more advanced features, and that's what accounts for their higher prices. Anyway, the point is that most of the time I am very satisfied with how the D40 performs, even at ISO 1600 (which may be shocking to many people, since this is an entry level SLR). Those of you moving up from a point and shoot camera will be amazed by the quality of the D40's images, outdoors and inside.
   
   3.) The bright 2.5 inch LCD on the back of the D40 is used to display the camera settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, white balance, exposure compensation, metering mode, autofocus mode, and more. Also, this is where you change 99% of the camera settings (other than aperture and shutter speed). As you will see later on (assuming you read this whole review), I have also marked this as a negative aspect of the D40. However, if you are a beginner in the world of advanced digital photography, you will definitely appreciate being able to clearly see what settings you're changing on a large color LCD display.
   
   4.) The ergonomics of this device are simply outstanding. The menu system (which you will be using a lot, trust me) is very easy to navigate through, and all of the controls are placed exactly where you want them to be. Over the year, I've had the chance to play around with cameras from both Nikon and Canon, and Nikons always feel more natural in use. Also, even though the D40 is made out of plastic, it doesn't feel like it will fall apart or slip in your hands easily (I suppose this is primarily attributed to the material surrounding the grip, which the Canon Digital Rebel XT, discussed earlier, doesn't have much of).
   
   5.) Ease of use. The D40 is a very simple and well organized camera. The moment you pick it up, you will immediately begin figuring out all of its controls without having to read through a manual (not to say it doesn't come with a manual!). If you ever want to know what some menu item does, just push and hold the "zoom out" button on the back of the camera, and it will overlay a brief description of what that setting does. This could prove to be very useful for amateurs.
   
   6.) Speed. No, the D40 is not the quickest digital SLR in the world, and will not satisfy all sports photographers, but it is MUCH quicker starting up, focusing, and shooting than any point and shoot camera. It will make you feel quite "snappy" if you have never used anything better than a point and shoot before.
   
   7.) Size. The D40 is very small and light. You won't be getting any aches in your arms or wrists holding the D40, unless you have a gigantic lens attached to it. With the standard 18-55mm kit lens attached, this is an extremely lightweight and portable camera. Some people like to have a hefty and larger camera because it gives greater balance to the photographer, and makes the device feel more solid; Many times though, it's very nice to have a small kit (NOTE: The D40 is much larger than any point and shoot that I know of -- that's why even most professional photographers keep a P&S around -- but for a digital SLR, it is very small).
   
   8.) Full manual control. The D40 contains several automatic modes, which are nice to have if you're just doing snapshots, or handing the camera over to someone that's photography illiterate. However, the D40 gives you a fully manual mode, and 3 other semi-manual modes (aperture priority, shutter priority, and programmed auto) for when you want to have complete control over the look of your image. Keep in mind how important this is... Let's face it, every good image consists of 3 main things: good composition, good exposure, and uniqueness. No camera in the world is going to tell you how to compose your image, or how to be more creative... but even the D40 will allow you to make any manual adjustments to the exposure!
   
   9.) RAW files. The Nikon D40, like all digital SLR's that I know of, allows you to capture images in a file format known as "RAW" (Nikons RAW file format is called "NEF" and Canons is called "CR2"). RAW files are exactly what their name implies... Raw (uncompressed) data from the actual camera's imaging sensor. As such, they occupy more memory than a JPEG (which is a compressed image format). However, RAW files give a lot more flexibility to your image. For example, you are able to to precisely alter the white balance (a critical aspect of the image) using software such as Photoshop AFTER the photograph has been taken! Generally, the only point and shoot cameras that offer a RAW file option are the advanced ones, which I will state my opinion on a little later in this review.
   
   10.) A trusty companion. Yes, this is where the title of the review came from. I can give you my guarantee that this device is reliable (unless you got a dud, due to manufacturing complications... which can happen). This is not a professional-grade camera, obviously. It's not made out of magnesium alloy like the higher end cameras from Nikon and Canon... but it can take more punches than I ever expected. I live in Wisconsin, and winters here are quite bitter. I've taken the D40 out in below freezing weather, and never had any problems with it. I trudged around New York city for a week with this camera around my neck, and never had any problems. I photographed a football game with this camera in the evening, at which point the air got quite cold, foggy and moist. Never had any problems with it. The only thing that I'm sure this camera CAN'T take (and I don't intend to test this) is a light rain shower. The Nikon D300, D700, and D3 are professional weather sealed cameras, and they have been proven to stand up even against the rain (for a little while). The D40, while fine in most situations, probably can't handle rain.
   
   11.) Price. This is Nikon's cheapest digital SLR, and let me tell you, you get a lot of bang for your buck. That's something that EVERYONE can appreciate. By the way, this is one reason that I don't recommend the Nikon D60 -- you know, one of the cameras that Ashton Kutcher advertises. It has only a few extra features over the D40, such as 4 more megapixels, and a built in accelerometer to make the screen rotate, and it costs a couple hundred more! Both are entry-level models, so you'll essentially be getting the same package for a lot more money. For those who are looking into buying an advanced point and shoot, such as the Canon G9, or the Canon S5 IS, I would recommend that you stop for a moment and consider spending just a few bucks extra on a low priced digital SLR like the D40. You will be getting a lot more "bang" for a little more "buck" (although, this is debatable, as a digital SLR is not the best option for everyone).
   
   Now that I've covered most of what I love about the D40, I'll reveal the truth... I plan to upgrade to either a Nikon D90 or D300 soon. As I said early in this review, you will most likely outgrow the D40 eventually, as I have now. Why? What does the D40 not have that the other cameras do? Here's what it doesn't have for me (keep in mind, these aren't the only things it's missing):
   
   1.) Flash commander mode. The D40 has a fairly nice built in pop-up flash, and you can even alter how powerful its output is. That's about the extent of it, though. The Nikon D80, D90, D200, D300, and D700 have what's known as a commander mode, where the built in flash can be used to trigger external Nikon speedlights (SB-600, SB-800, and SB-900). If advanced lighting technique is not something you care about, this doesn't matter. This is something that I, on the other hand, have been getting more and more interested in.
   
   2.) The D40 does not have a built in focusing motor. This means that the only lenses which will autofocus with the D40 are ones designated with "AF-S". For many people this is not a problem, because Nikon ONLY makes AF-S lenses now (and they have many to choose from now). If you own older AF lenses that aren't marked with "AF-S," the D40 will not autofocus them. AF-S lenses have "silent wave motors" inside of them which do the focusing. Older AF lenses are focused using a screwdriver-like device that's built into the camera body (not the D40 body).
   
   3.) Earlier, as you may recall, I mentioned the fact that you have to use the LCD to change 99% of camera settings as both an advantage and a disadvantage. Here's the disadvantage: clicking through menus and menus of information to change one setting can be a bit of a hassle. If you are mostly interested in shooting objects that don't move, this is no problem. However, for shooting action, it's helpful to be able to change settings with just the push of a button. More advanced SLR's have more external controls on the body, so that the photographer can almost immediately change a setting without having to look at the back of their camera.
   
   4.) The D40 does not have a live view mode. This is a bit ironic, because most people see live view mode as more of an amateur feature than a professional one. Live view, for those of you that don't know, is the ability to use the LCD screen in place of the viewfinder (like you do on all point and shoot cameras these days). This means that you will have to put your face up to the viewfinder of the camera. For most situations, that's what any photographer (including myself) would rather do anyway. There are times though, when live view can be helpful. For instance, in macro photography, the photographer is often times forced to be right on the ground and look through their camera's viewfinder at a very odd, or sometimes even impossible angle. In this case, having live view mode would be a great asset, so that the photographer can simply look at the LCD screen from above. Live view can also be helpful if you're handing your camera off to someone (which I tend to do a lot) who isn't used to the viewfinder. It's funny how intimidated some people can become when you ask them to take a family picture for you, and then they realize they have to look through that hole in the back of the camera!
   
   5.) As I mentioned, the D40 can handle everything from ISO 200-1600 fairly well in most cases. In some rare cases, a sensitivity higher than 1600 is necessary to capture the action (such as a night/indoor sports game). The D40 produces extremely grainy images at ISO 3200, which is surprising considering the overall usability of ISO 1600 (just one stop below 3200). While the D90/D300 have a lot more megapixels than the D40, they have remarkable noise reduction systems, which makes ISO 3200 images quite a bit more usable than those of the D40 (although, they're far from perfect).
   
   Did you notice how all of the "negatives" I just listed about the D40 are only significant in rare situations? The fact is that the D40 is an extremely capable camera, and an absolutely outstanding value. I would highly recommend it to anyone that wants greater image quality than they get with their point and shoot camera, that wants to explore the art and craft of photography with more depth, that doesn't want to spend $1000+ on an excellent camera, and advanced-amateur photographers that can sacrifice a few specialized features of higher end cameras for the sake of a lower price.
   
   5 out of 5 stars, without any reservations, considering the price.