• Explore the options with the D40X.photographer image by sasha from Fotolia.com
  
  Nikon's D40X is similar to the older D40 but shoots with 10.2 megapixels compared to the D40's six-megapixel imaging sensor. A cnet.com review finds it to be "a very nice first dSLR" with a comfortable, compact body design. The camera offers manual options for those who want to experiment a bit but provides point-and-shoot convenience for those who like to leave the settings in automatic.
  
  

Your Manual

• It seems obvious, but don't forget to read the owner's manual. In the excitement over a new camera, photographers may be tempted to shoot first and read later, but you won't get the most from your camera that way. If you've lost the manual, you can download a new copy from the Nikon web site at www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/noprint/D40X_en_noprint.pdf.
  
  

Focus

• You won't get a good photo if the subject isn't in focus. The D40X has manual and automatic focus options as well as different types of automatic settings. While automatic is certainly convenient, it isn't the best choice for all circumstances. You can also change the focus area when the camera is in automatic mode depending on what you are trying to photograph. Using the focus lock to recompose photos after initial focusing is another way to keep your pictures sharp.
  
  

Shooting Mode

• Decide whether you want the camera to take one photo at a time or a continuous stream of photos, and then adjust accordingly. Keep in mind that only one photo will be taken if the flash fires.
  
  

Setting Alphabet

• The D40X allows you to change modes to P, S, A or M. When the camera is set to P, the camera sets the shutter speed and aperture to give you good results when you have little time to react. When set to S, the photographer sets the shutter speed, and the camera adjusts the aperture. This is good to freeze or blur motion. The A setting allows you to choose the aperture size to blur the background or bring the background and foreground into focus. When set to M, you're in charge. This is the manual mode.
  
  

White Balance

• Nikon suggests that in most circumstances, you use the camera's auto setting to allow the D40X to adjust the white balance. In the P, S, A and M modes, you can make adjustments for different types of lighting, such as fluorescent or incandescent, or for sunny or cloudy days. In its review, cnet.com reported that slightly warm images were produced when shooting with the camera's automatic white balance in rooms with incandescent lighting. Cnet got the most neutral results when the camera was tested using the manual white balance setting.