Nikon today unveiled its new D40, the latest addition to its line of digital SLR cameras.

The D40 is an ultra-compact, lightweight 6.1-effective megapixel D-SLR that offers simplified new features, speed and a redesigned. The D40 also incorporates handling and performance advantages that eliminate the frustrations often associated with compact digital cameras.

The D40 features a high-resolution 6.1-effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor and an advanced Nikon Image Processing Engine.

Using Nikon?s exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II, the D40 promises accurate exposure control, even in difficult lighting conditions. Its frame-wide 420-pixel sensor instantly and automatically assesses and compares each scene?s brightness, contrast and color with a built-in database of information from over 30,000 real-world lighting scenarios, before setting the accurate exposure. 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 also powers up and is ready to shoot in only 0.18 seconds, features minimal shutter lag time and the ability to shoot 2.5 frames per second. Up to 100 consecutive shots (in JPEG Normal mode) can be recorded to the SD memory card. Preview images are also displayed on the D40's 2.5-inch color LCD monitor.

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 and ensures greater ability to capture that perfect shot.

Creative shooting is as simple as rotating the D40's Digital Vari-Program mode dial. The camera has eight preconfigured program modes that optimize the camera?s performance for specific shooting conditions.

The D40 includes a new Flash Off mode that shuts off the camera?s flash and boosts its ISO, so users can easily take pictures in places where flash photography is not allowed, inappropriate, or when they prefer the look of natural light. Users can also select from other Digital-Vari Program modes including Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sports, Night Landscape or Night Portrait.

The D40 also features an image Retouch menu, with in-camera editing functions that promise to keep D40 shooters engaged when they?re not busy shooting. Options within the Retouch menu include:

- D-Lighting: Automatically balances underexposed portions of an image to enhance detail in these areas.
- In-camera Red-eye Correction
- Trim: Images can be trimmed to produce smaller cropped versions of any file on the SD card for greater creative freedom and greater efficiency.
- Image Overlay: Merges a pair of selected RAW files to create a composite image within the camera as a RAW or JPEG file. This feature is especially useful when trying to create a soft-focus effect with two similar images.
- Monochrome settings: Convert any color image in the camera into a pleasing monochromatic picture, either in black-and-white, sepia or cyanotype.
- Filter Effects: Emulate and apply the effects of a skylight or a warming filter to any image stored on the SD card. A Color Balance menu within filter effects can also be used to make subtle shifts in color.
- Small Picture: Create a smaller version of any image in the camera for easy sharing and faster download.

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.