11. D2Xs

At 12-plus megapixels the D2Xs is Nikon’s highest megapixel DSLR. It is the Nikon DSLR most well suited to the pro photographer. I would guess that sensor size currently is somewhat of a barrier to taking the camera up to say 16 megapixels. The D2Xs reminds me of my Nikon F5 film camera in size, feel and build. If it weren’t so expensive, I’d consider buying one to give my Nikon lens farm a workout.

D40 And D40x

Nikon D40

Nikon scrambled to get a competitor to Canon’s Digital Rebel in place. The D40 had six megapixels, not enough to compete with the XT at eight megapixels or the XTi at 10 megapixels. So enter the D40x, a 10 plus megapixel DSLR with a lot of features for relatively little money. I was considering buying a D40x until I learned that the camera lacked the connector for auto-focusing Nikon D and G lenses. All my Nikon lenses are D and G models. Sigh.

Nikon D40x

D80

Nikon’s D80 is a 10 megapixel DSLR that compares favorably with Canon’s eight megapixel 30D in both price and features. From my experience both take great pictures with the D80’s extra two megapixels not seeming to give it an advantage over the 30D. Both cameras sell for around $1,000 street.