Originally Posted by
pa_sjo
If you're buying an SLR then it appears you want to get into photography. What you should do is look at the range of products by each manufacturer and see who supports the hobby the best. I somehow doubt Sony has anywhere near the range of flashguns and lenses than Nikon does.
The Sony camera is compatible with any bayonet fitting AF lens (konica, minolta) and as well as there own range of lens, flash guns and the various 3rd party items. The huge range of minolta items available I feel gives the A200 the edge of the D40 as the D40 does not support the older Nikkor lenses.
One of the main benefits the A200 has over the D40 is the amount of Focus points, it only has 3 versus the A200's 9 point sensor. One thing nobody has mentioned yet, Try the cameras and get a feel as you may find the size and weight of them restrictive.