Upgrade advise: D40X >D7000?

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Punjabi Geezer

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Hi, I've been shooting with my D40x for well over 4 years now and have well and truely outgrown the camera. I've been putting money towards glass and flashes and stuck with the same body but I think it's about time I should upgrade.
From my research the D7000 seems like the camera to go for <£1000, with most reviews saying it's better than the D300S. I can't afford to go for a D700 but the question is do I wait for the possible release of the D400 or is this likely to be well above £1k anyway?
Obviously I know this is just people's opinions as no-one can be sure about the release of the D400 but just wanted to know what others thought. I've stuck with the D40X for this many years so waiting a little longer doesn't bother me.
 
actually the D7000 is not better or worse than the D300s ........ yeah it some aspect it does i.e high iso, newer sensor etc but the D300s burst speed and buffer beats the D7000. Plus the D300s is a pro body camera and build like a tank as well.

It all depend on what you shoot.
 
If you're in no rush, it might pay to wait for the D400 announcement - there will probably be a few d300s and d7000 hitting the 2nd hand market as people upgrade.
Usually, I wouldn't recommend waiting on phantom models, but it seems an announcement is due soonish and you might kick yourself if you end up paying more than needed.

That said, this all assumes that the announcement will be a D400 rather than a D4. Anyone's guess!
 
Badboy - I do mostly potraits and small events photography.

Llamaman - Thanks for the advise, I think I am swaying on waiting even though they may not announce until September according to some sites!
 
What makes you think you have outgrown the D40x?

I ask because I shoot professionally with D700, D300s and recreationally with a D40. I get great shots out of all of them, and whilst I'd never use the D40 when I'm getting paid, aside from the lower resolution and lack of an extra jog wheel, I'm somehow more satisfied with it.

Maybe it's the notion of getting good photos from a more basic camera or that fact it's so simple and adequate that it just leaves me to concentrate solely on getting the best out of it?
 
I agree with you Daniel, the D40X is a great camera and I'm sure I'll still use it when I want a light weight option. Few things why I want to upgrade:

High ISO performance is pretty poor, have to fire the flash more then I'd want even with 2.8 lens.
I use wireless flash from time to time and have to mount my sb900 just to act as a commander.
I want easier access to options like changing ISO and focus options rather then taking the camera away from my eye and needing to look at the screen.
It doesn't feel very blanced with my heavier lenses.
Would like to have more focus points.

They're a few things I can think of at the moment but feel free to disuade me further from emptying my wallet :)
 
The D7000 is a superb image making machine and is small and easy to get used to.

It is hard to fault it. Just have a look at some images produced by it - they are so sharp.

I would have no hesitation recommending it (I have one myself and love it).
 
Punjabi Geezer said:
High ISO performance is pretty poor, have to fire the flash more then I'd want even with 2.8 lens.
I use wireless flash from time to time and have to mount my sb900 just to act as a commander.
I want easier access to options like changing ISO and focus options rather then taking the camera away from my eye and needing to look at the screen.
It doesn't feel very blanced with my heavier lenses.
Would like to have more focus points.
Click to expand...

All valid reasons to upgrade.

The fact that you mention high ISO performance but not burst FPS suggests the D7000 may be your thing.
And assuming the viewfinder on your D40x is like the one on my D5000 (i.e. bobbins) you'll love the OVF on the higher models (tried a friend's D7k and it made me sad for my poor little pentamirror).
 
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