If you really want to migrate to DSLR from your PnS or prosumer, the choices you have is D50, D70s and up.
D40 is like prosumer camera that can change lens, in between prosumer and DSLR.
Personally, i would not call D40 as DSLR... it does not have the function or ability of a DSLR.
D40 only 3-focus points, D50 5 area focus point
D40 use CAM-530, D50 use CAM-900
D40 no braketing, D50 have
D40 not fuly support AF lenses.
D40 to light, when mount heavy lenses might have problem.
D40 not support CLS i think.

but if you just want something better than PnS, D40 is a good choice.

this is mean....
but i do like D50 over D40
but then again, i like D80 above everything else 

is bracketing important anyway?

if got budget go for D80 lar !
no need to think, just buy !! 

Equipment Type: DSLR
Equipment Brand: Nikon
Equipment Model: D70 + DX 18-70mm + 70-300mm ED
Price (S$): $1450
Description:
D70 plus AF-S DX 18-70mm Kit lens plus
AF 70-300mm F4-5.6 ED (note this is not the cheaper G version)
Always kept in dry cabi when not in use.
Warranty Status: Nil
Package/Accessories/Extras:
Comes with box,charger,hoods...etc. (std package)
Free extra Nikon original battery plus 2 more Eastgear batteries
(total 4 battries)
Plus Nikon IR remote trigger and a Sandisk Extreme 512mb CF card.

ahsmile,
you from penang right ?
Going all the way down to SG for that camera?
M'siaand Sg not much different in price lar for camera and lenses.
other acessories like camera bags, tripod cheaper lar.

for example what i found in FTZ
under-warranty d70s kit complete with 18-70mm lens plus freebies. immaculate condition. serious buyers only. rm2700. - Wooi <wongpwc@yahoo.com>

aaltong, thanks for the info =D 
the info i was found when visit SG forum check for pricing. 
not really will go all the way down to buy from SG..just comparing price =)

i did check the price when visit HK mid of this month (Vacation trip). simply have a look. not really check up HK DSLR price..

Alamak..... HK you can get cheaper, but need to know where to shop.
I know someone fly all the way to HK just to get few lenses, the price is still cheaper than buying in here even after add air ticket price. But those lenses are huge and expensive one lar.

is bracketing important anyway?

my humble opinion is, D40 is very nice placed currently.
- why AF-S?  Diam diam focus, faster than screw, got so many zoom lenses from cheap to pro. and since most people like to curi-snap, AF-S work like a wonder
- why 6Mp?  a lot of consumer actually dont need more than 4mp, most of the time, they print 4R, and most of the time, the 6mp is too huge for the puny flash card they own
- 2.5" LCD?  Consumer like mah, big big clear and sharp
- no-direct buttons? why bother these when u just wan great photo without hassle, AUTO work best for these people
- built in flash with ittl? ok, this pwned sipeh many flash system...
maybe i am fanboy hahaha

D40? price?

D40 rox...

So for those who are getting the D40 ... here are the 'suggested' buys after your 18-55mm kit lens.Remember that you can only use AF-S / AF-I lenses in order to have AF.
1. AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED (NEW) featuring Dual Mode VR
2. AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED
3. AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
4. AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED
There you go!

any of the lens is price of the D40 kits already

rm2200..

i just got my d40 2 days ago, still belek-belek lg. try with my dad d70 lens, but need to focus manually...

What D70 lens would that be? 

i think its the kit lens 18-70mm
btw, the d70s and the d40 the difference is just about the AF thingy right? any other major difference?

The D70(s) kit lens (Nikkor 18-70mm) will work on the D40 (the lens has a SWM motor).

D40:
- no AF screw drive
- 3 point AF module
- no top LCD display
- big main LCD (2.5" high res, wide angle)
- Fancy in-camera image processing options (D-Lighting... etc.)
- ISO 3200 option
- USB 2.0
- Hidden RGB histogram

D70(s):
- AF screw drive present
- 5 point AF module
- top LCD display present
- smallish main LCD (1.8" or 2")
- Basic in-camera image options
- ISO 1600 max
- USB 1.1
- Single Green Channel histogram

oh not bad... just the AF point is the main drawback for me... hmmm... others are ok... so is there a chance that nikon might be selling the body only?

What D70 lens would that be? 

oh not bad... just the AF point is the main drawback for me... hmmm... others are ok... so is there a chance that nikon might be selling the body only?

Yeah, with regards to the AF points, typically one would use the center point most of the time.
No idea about the D40 being sold without the kit lens. Looking for an alternate lens? 

Yeah, with regards to the AF points, typically one would use the center point most of the time.

No idea about the D40 being sold without the kit lens. Looking for an alternate lens?