Nikon's already upgrading the D40...
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0703/07030602nikond40x.asp

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TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the D40X, a new digital SLR incorporating a 10.2-megapixel CCD. The D40X is scheduled to launch worldwide at March 22, 2007 (TBD) and is a sister model to the D40, which has a 6.1-megapixel CCD.

While maintaining the compact size and portability of the D40 camera body, the D40X produces even more outstanding, detailed pictures thanks to its 10.2-megapixel CCD and cutting-edge digital technologies. Its resolution power makes it easy for users to print up to A3-size pictures or crop aggressively without losing any fine details. The D40X is loaded with everything you need for truly amazing images: a 10.2-megapixel CCD, Nikon’s exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II, an improved Image Processing Engine and superb Auto White Balance. Together with a world-famous Nikkor lens, these features combine to ensure perfect exposure, refined details and natural, vivid colors.

The D40X shares the D40’s ergonomic design and streamlined interface, which means the same intuitive operation that’s simple and fun – even for entry-level users. The bright and clear viewfinder ensures precise composition, while the 2.5-inch large LCD monitor utilizes an easy-to-use menu system and a wide viewing angle so that everyone can navigate their settings and view their images with ease. There is also a handy built-in Help menu: simply press a button and useful information on key features is displayed on the LCD monitor.

The D40X is fast. Its near-instant power-up (0.18 second) and fast, reliable responses help photographers act on the moment, while the continuous shooting mode lets photographers easily capture up to 100 JPEG images of action as fast as 3 frames per second. The camera’s razor-sharp autofocus ensures crisp images for a wide variety of photographic scenes.

Flash photography is simple with the D40X because the camera employs Nikon’s market-leading i-TTL flash control, which evaluates ideal flash exposure automatically and accurately, even in difficult lighting situations.

Eight Digital Vari-Program modes offer creative shooting options that are optimized for common shooting situations. Fun, fast and simple, they are as easy to use as rotating the mode dial. For further control over aperture and shutter speed, P/S/A/M modes are available.

Exclusive in-camera image editing features are available in the Retouch menu. One of the main features is Nikon’s exceptional D-lighting, which brings out details usually lost in underexposed areas of an image while retaining the proper exposure in brighter areas. Photographers can correct red-eye easily, or use Monochrome effects to change an image to Black-and-white or Sepia tone. Nikon’s bundled software, PictureProject, also allows users to edit images on a computer. PictureProject makes transferring, organizing and sharing images incredibly simple, while the optional Capture NX software offers even more creative control.

Some of the D40X’s major improvements include an even longer-lasting battery that allows up to 520* images per charge (470* images for the D40), faster continuous shooting at 3 frames per second (2.5 fps for the D40) and a wider ISO sensitivity of 100 to 1600, plus HI-1 (200 to 1600 plus HI-1 for the D40).*CIPA standards, with Built-in Flash used for 50% of the shots

While it inherits many advanced digital and optical technologies from professional models, the D40X and its sister model, the D40, are Nikon’s smallest, most compact digital SLR cameras. By offering everyone mobility, ease-of-use and incredible pictures with great resolution, the D40X welcomes everyone to the world of Nikon digital SLR photography.

Sales release schedule
To launch worldwide at March 22, 2007 (TBD).

 

Here is my deal.

It has come to a point where I can't even keep track of all the new dSLRs on the market. Wow. Another 10 MP consumer dSLR.

 

well good news is Nikon is sticking to leaving the AF motor off of the camera, good news for D40 owners. now we just need more lenses! (primes, hint, hint)

 

So the D40 only lasted 4 months? That's got to be a record for an SLR...

 

Does it say they are discontinuing the d40? I figured they would sell this along side it to compete directly with the Rebel XTi at that pricepoint, but still give the 500 dollar option.

 

I did some reading and it appears you're right. It seems surprising to me, since the only real difference is the sensor.
They still sell the D50 and D70s, even though they're supposedly discontinued. I guess they're clearing out inventory, but their consumer lineup looks a little weird at the moment:
D40, D40x, D50, D70s, D80, D200
It's a shame that you lose the 1/500 sync rate that the original D40 had. That was a really nice feature, although I'm not sure if the mom's and pop's who are buying them really care anyway.

Speaking of strange decisions, why would anyone still buy the D2Hs? You'd have to be heavily invested in the Nikon line to consider a $3500 camera that's the equivalent to a six year old 1D. It was due for a replacement 3+ years ago. There have been 3 revisions of the 1D in the same timespan, and it's not like they release new updates every year...

 

and to go along with that the d300 is supposed to come out in the next 3 months I believe and you know the d200 will still sell for atleast another year then.

 

I'm always suprised when I'm out and run into photogs still shooting the original 1D and D2h. I've even run into a few still shooting ancient Nikon D1h's.

Small file size and high speed shooting seems to be the number one reason, especially in sports for news publications.

It is also funny, because it seems like now, consumers tend to be more up to date on the newest trends/gear. For the consumer its a "feel good" "look at me, look what I have" --- and for the pros it comes down to a tool to get the job done.

 

Sure, a tool is a tool, and there's nothing wrong with using something that works. My problem is they're charging current prices for an out of date tool.

If you were going out to spend $3500 today, would you rather have a D2Hs or a 1D3? The original 1D which is the closest match to the D2Hs is going for under $800 today. You could grab four of them for the price of one new D2H.

I think if you're a Nikon shooter looking for a pro body today, your only choice is the $5000 D2xs.

 

I would imagine that's how people feel in the racing industry too.

 

Nikon wanted to make an XTi killer.

 

Yeah, I see what you are saying now. Makes sense.

Unless you are a 100 % Nikonian then it would be useless.

 

kids, the D40X is Nikon's "answer" to the 1D3..

 

^ was that supposed to be red?