[Dabhand16]

If this is your first dSLR, the choice you have to make now is not between the D40 and the 400D, but the system. Once you have started down whichever path you choose, it is very expensive to jump ship if you think you have made the wrong choice in the first instance. You can't then just change the camera unless you stick with the same make and get a different body. That is not a problem for most people as the main makers all produce good cameras that will have lenses and accessories to support them. However, the third party manufacturers are much more likely to produce stuff for the more popular brands and systems than the less popular ones, no matter how good they might be. This leaves you with little alternative to the maker's kit, so might reduce your future options.

First draw up a short list of cameras that you are interested in. You need to handle the cameras to see which one feels the best and is the easiest to set up and alter the settings. Some will have you hunting through menus, others will need a button press and/or a tweak of a dial. Metering. Does one have better metering options (even if you don't need them right now). Will you be doing one type of photography such as sports/action more than other types? A camera that writes to the memory quickly will help here, as will a good frame rate.

Don't think you have to stick to the 'entry level' dSLR's either. A small step further up the ladder might give you a camera that will tick all of your boxes.

When you do buy, you can get a good deal by buying a kit, but you don't have to. You can buy the body and lens seperately, or look around for a dealer kit that might include a body, lens (or lenses) and more for a good price.

The Nikon 18-70 kit lens is good, and for a bit more money you can get an 18-135, or the 18-200 which is really highly rated, especially with the VR. Canon also do a good range os similar lenses, although I'm not so well up on them. The 18-85 and 24-105 are probably good ones to consider.