D40 Overview Feature Comparison
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Nikon D40 Feature Comparison

The chart below compares the D40 with other current Nikon cameras. We've used color tints in the cells to highlight differences between the D40, D50 (its predecessor) and the D80. A red cell means that the the camera involved has lesser specs than the other two, a green cell that it has better, a yellow cell that its specification is in between the two others.

We also have a table comparing the Nikon D40 with competing models from other manufacturers. This table is a bit wider though, and breaks the page layout in some browsers, so we're simply providing a link to it here that will open in a separate browser window. See the Nikon D40 vs the Competition comparison table for more info.

Nikon D40 vs other Nikon SLRs
Manufacturer
 Nikon
Nikon
Nikon
Nikon
Model
 D40
D50
D70s
D80
Imaging
System
Sensor Manufacturer
 Sony Sony Sony Sony
Sensor Type
 CCD CCD CCD CCD
Color Filter Array
 RGB RGB RGB RGB
Total Megapixels
 6.24
6.24
6.24
10.75
Effective Megapixels
 6.1 6.1 6.1 10.2
Effective Sensor Size (mm)
 23.7 x 15.6
23.7 x 15.6
23.7 x 15.6
23.6 x 15.8
Focal Length Multiplier (approx.)
 1.5x
1.5x
1.5x
1.5x
Image Processor
 Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
Viewfinder
Type
 Eye-level pentamirror
Eye-level pentamirror
Eye-level pentamirror
Eye-level pentaprism
Coverage
 95%
95%
95%
95%
Magnification
(-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity)
 0.8x
0.75x
0.75x
0.94x
Eyepoint (mm)
 18
18
18
19.5
Dioptric Adjustment Range (diopters)
 -1.7 to +0.5
-1.6 to +0.5
-1.6 to +0.5
-2.0 to +1.0
Focusing Screen
 Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V, with on-demand grid lines
Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark II, with on-demand grid lines
Viewfinder
Info Display
 3 focus area brackets/spot metering areas, focus confirmation, focus area/AF-area mode, battery status, AE lock indicator, flexible program shift, shutter speed, aperture value, electronic analog exposure display, flash compensation indicator, exposure compensation indicator, Auto ISO indicator, number of exposures remaining/buffer space/preset WB recording indicator/exposure compensation value/flash compensation value/PC mode indicator, flash-ready indicator, warning indicator
5 focus area brackets/spot metering areas, center-weighted metering area, no memory card warning indicator, battery status, focus confirmation, focus area/AF-area mode, AE lock indicator, FV lock indicator, shutter speed, aperture value, electronic analog exposure display, flash compensation indicator, exposure compensation indicator, Auto ISO indicator, number of exposures remaining/buffer space/preset WB recording indicator/exposure compensation value/flash compensation value/PC mode indicator, flash-ready indicator
5 focus area brackets/spot metering areas, center-weighted metering area, on-demand framing grid, focus confirmation, focus area/AF-area mode, AE/FV lock indicator, battery status, shutter speed, aperture value, electronic analog exposure display, flash compensation indicator, exposure compensation indicator, Auto ISO indicator, number of exposures remaining/buffer space/preset WB recording indicator/exposure compensation value/flash compensation value/PC mode indicator, flash-ready indicator
11 normal and 1 wide focus area brackets/spot metering areas, center-weighted metering area, on-demand framing grid, black and white mode warning, low battery warning, no memory card warning, focus confirmation, FV lock indicator, AE lock indicator, Auto ISO indicator, shutter speed, aperture value, electronic analog exposure display, battery status, flash compensation indicator, exposure compensation indicator, WB/exposure bracketing indicator, number of remaining exposures/buffer space/exposure compensation value/flash compensation value/PC mode indicator, flash-ready indicator
Depth of Field Preview
 Not available
Not available
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Live Preview on LCD?
 No
No
No
No
Recording
System
Recording Media / Quantity / Slot Type
 Secure Digital card
 (SDHC compatible)
Secure Digital card
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive
Secure Digital card
 (SDHC compatible)
Compatible File System
 FAT 16 / FAT 32
FAT 16 / FAT 32
FAT 16 / FAT 32
FAT 16 / FAT 32
Recording Formats
 RAW (NEF), JPEG
RAW (NEF), JPEG
RAW (NEF), JPEG
RAW (NEF), JPEG
Maximum Resolution
 3008 x 2000
3008 x 2000
3008 x 2000
3872 x 2592
Reduced Resolutions (JPEG only)
 2256 x 1496; 1504 x 1000
2256 x 1496; 1504 x 1000
2240 x 1488; 1504 x 1000
2896 x 1944; 1936 x 1296
RAW + JPEG Recording
 Yes, basic JPEG only
Yes, basic JPEG only
Yes, basic JPEG only
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution / compression
Color Space &
White Balance
User-Selectable Color Space
 Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB
Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB
Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB
Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB
Processing Parameters
(Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Color Tone) / # of Increments
 7 options each for sharpness and contrast, 4 options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment. Digital vari-programs preset various processing parameters as well. Second sRGB color space boosts saturation somewhat.
  7 options each for sharpness and contrast, 3 options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment. Digital vari-programs preset various processing parameters as well. Second sRGB color space boosts saturation somewhat.
  7 options each for sharpness and contrast, 3 options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment. Digital vari-programs preset various processing parameters as well. Second sRGB color space boosts saturation somewhat.
  7 options each for sharpness and contrast, 4 options for saturation. 7-step hue adjustment. Digital vari-programs preset various processing parameters as well. Second sRGB color space boosts saturation somewhat.
Preset WB settings
 6 (Direct Sunlight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash)
6 (Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash)
6 (Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash)
6 (Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash)
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range
 (No Kelvin option, but very broad Preset WB range)
(No Kelvin option, but very broad Preset WB range)
(No Kelvin option, but very broad Preset WB range)
2,500 ~ 10,000K in increments of roughly 10 mired
WB Adjustment Range
±3 steps in 1-step increments
10 mireds per step
Not available
±3 steps in 1-step increments
10 mireds per step
±3 steps in 1-step increments
10 mireds per step
Autofocus
System
Type
 TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM530 autofocus module
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM900 autofocus module
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM900 autofocus module
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM1000 autofocus module
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type)
 3 points (1 cross-type, 2 vertical-type)
5 points (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 2 vertical-type)
5 points (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 2 vertical-type)
11 normal points or 1 wide point (1 cross-type, 2 horizontal-type, 8 vertical-type)
Superimposed Focus Point Display
 No Yes Yes Yes
AF Working Range
 EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
AF-assist Beam
 Bright incandescent lamp, (Range approx. 3.0 m, 9.8 ft, depending on lens.) Not dependent on flash setting.
Bright incandescent lamp, (Range approx. 3.0 m, 9.8 ft, depending on lens.) Not dependent on flash setting.
Bright incandescent lamp, (Range approx. 3.0 m, 9.8 ft, depending on lens.) Not dependent on flash setting.
Bright incandescent lamp, (Range approx. 3.0 m, 9.8 ft, depending on lens.) Not dependent on flash setting.
Eye-start Focusing
 No
No
No
No
AF servo modes
 AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous tracking),
AF-A (for auto selection of AF-S or AF-C modes).
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous tracking),
AF-A (for auto selection of AF-S or AF-C modes).
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous tracking).
AF-S (single one-shot), AF-C (continuous tracking),
AF-A (for auto selection of AF-S or AF-C modes).
AF area modes
 Single area, Dynamic area, Dynamic area with closest subject priority.
Single area, Dynamic area, Dynamic area with closest subject priority.
Single area, Dynamic area, Dynamic area with closest subject priority.
Single area, Dynamic area, Auto area.
Exposure
Control
Shooting Modes
 12 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Auto with flash off, Portrait, Landcape, Close up, Sports, Child, Night Portrait.
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Portrait, Landcape, Close up, Sports, Child, Night Portrait.
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Portrait, Landcape, Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait.
11 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, Manual, Auto, Portrait, Landcape, Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait.
Metering Zones
 420
420
1,005
420
Metering Modes
 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor.
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm dia. circle in center of frame.
3) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area.
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor.
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm dia. circle in center of frame.
3) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area.
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor.
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 12 mm dia. circle in center of frame.
3) Spot: Meters 2.3 mm dia. circle (about 1% of frame) centered on active focus area.
 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor.
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, or 10 mm dia. circle in center of frame.
3) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area.
Metering System Working Range
 1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering)
(ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering)
(ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering)
(ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (spot metering)
(ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)
ISO Range / Extended
 200 ~ 1600 / 3200
200 ~ 1600 / --
200 ~ 1600 / --
100 ~ 1600 / 3200
Exposure Compensation
 +/- 5EV in 1/3EV increments
+/- 5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
+/- 5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
+/- 5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
Automatic Exposure Bracketing
 No
3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV steps
2 or 3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV steps
2 or 3 shots, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 or 2 EV steps
Shutter Speeds,
Frame Rate, Shutter Lag
Shutter Type
 Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter
Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter
Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter
Electronically controlled mechanical
Shutter Speed Range
 1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV, bulb
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
1/4000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
Maximum Frames Per Second / Buffer depth
 2.5 fps / 100 frames (JPEG large/fine)
2.47 fps / 16 frames (JPEG large/fine)
3.05 fps / 15 frames (JPEG large/fine)
3 fps / 9 frames (JPEG large/fine)
Shutter lag, full AF (sec.)
 0.26
0.27
0.29
0.25
Shutter lag, prefocus (sec.)
 0.098
0.114
0.106
 0.083
Startup time (sec.)
 ~0.4
~0.25
~0.4
~0.2
Flash
Built-in Flash / Guide Number at ISO 100.
 Yes (13 meters / 43 feet)
Yes (12 meters / 39 feet)
Yes (12 meters / 39 feet)
Yes (13 meters / 43 feet)
Max flash x-sync speed. (sec.)
 1/500 (!)
1/500 (!)
1/500 (!)
1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation
 -3 to +1 EV, 1/3 EV steps
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
Slow-sync flash
 1st or 2nd curtain
1st or 2nd curtain
1st or 2nd curtain
1st or 2nd curtain
PC Sync Terminal
 Hot shoe only
Hot shoe only
Hot shoe only
Hot shoe only
Nikon Advanced Wireless Lighting support
 Only with attached SB-800 flash or SU-800 wireless controller Only with attached SB-800 flash or SU-800 wireless controller Camera can act as wireless controller, single group and channel
 Camera can act as wireless controller with multiple groups, modes and channels
Playback
System
LCD Size / Pixel Count
 2.5 in LCD / 230,000 pixels
2.0 in LCD / 130,000 pixels
2.0 in LCD / 130,000 pixels
2.5 in LCD / 230,000 pixels
Enlarged Playback / Scroll
 1.1 - 19x for large images, 15x for medium images, or 10x for small ones/ Yes
1.1 - 4.7x in 10 steps / Yes
1.1 - 4.7x in 10 steps / Yes
1.1 - 25x for large images, 19x for medium images, or 13x for small ones/ Yes
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range
 10 steps
5 steps
5 steps
5 steps
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots
 Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Other Features
Computer Connection
 Yes, USB 2.0, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v2.0 speed)
Yes, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v2.0 speed)
Yes, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v1.1 speed)
Yes, USB 2.0, PTP-compliant (v2.0 standard, v2.0 speed)
Direct Printing (PictBridge-compliant printers)
 Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Menu Languages
 15 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
13 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Italian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Dutch, Swedish)
10 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, French, Korean, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Dutch, Swedish)
15 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
Camera Default Reset
 Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Custom Functions
(Quantity)
 Yes (17)
Yes (20)
Yes (25)
Yes (32)
Multiple exposures
 No
No
No
Yes
(2~3 shots)
In-camera image retouching
 Yes, D-lighting, Red-eye correction, Trim, Monochrome, Filter effects, Small Picture, Image overlay
No
No
Yes, D-lighting, Red-eye correction, Trim, Monochrome, Filter effects, Small Picture, Image overlay
Remote Control
 Optional ML-L3 wireless remote
Optional ML-L3 wireless remote
Optional, compatible with MC-DC1 remote cord or ML-L3 wireless remote
Optional, compatible with MC-DC1 remote cord or ML-L3 wireless remote
Info LCD Panel / Illumination
 No / n/a
Yes / No
Yes / Yes
(dedicated button)
Yes / Yes
(power switch)
Number of Command Dials
 1
1
2
2
Programmable function button
 Yes
No
No
Yes
Ultrasonic CCD dust-removal function
 No
No
No
No
Body Structure
Body Cover/Chassis
 Largely Plastic
Largely Plastic
Largely Plastic
Largely Plastic
Power System
Battery Compatibility
 EN-EL9
(1000 mAh)
EN-EL3,
EN-EL3a
(Ships with EN-EL3, 1400 mAh vs 1500 mAh for EN-EL3a)
CR2 pack is an added-cost accessory
EN-EL3,
EN-EL3a
(Ships with EN-EL3a, 1500 mAh vs 1400 mAh for EN-EL3)
CR2 pack is an added-cost accessory
EN-EL3e,
optional MB-D80 battery pack
Rated Shooting Capacity at 20°C/68F
 100% AE: 2200
50% Flash: 470
100% AE: 2000
50% Flash: 400
100% AE: 2500
50% Flash: 500
100% AE: 2700
50% Flash: 600
Dimensions & Weight
Dimensions (WxHxD, mm)
 126 x 94 x 64
133 x 102 x 76
140 x 111 x 78
132 x 103 x 77
Weight (body only)
 475 g
540 g
600 g
  585 g
Operational
Environment
Operating Temperature Range
 0 ~ 40°C
0 ~ 40°C
0 ~ 40°C
0 ~ 40°C
Operating Humidity Range
 < 85%
< 85%
< 85%
< 85%
Kit Lens
Focal length / aperture
 18-55mm
f/3.5-5.6G II ED
18-55mm
f/3.5-5.6G ED
18-70mm
f/3.5-4.5G ED
18-135mm
f/3.5-5.6G ED
Lens Compatibility
Lens Mount / Compatibility
  1. DX Nikkor: All functions supported;
  2. Type G- or D-AF-S Nikkor: All functions supported;
  3. Type G- or D-AF Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus;
  4. Other AF Nikkor (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except autofocus, 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR;
  5. AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR and autofocus;
  6. Some non-CPU lenses can be used in exposure mode M only, with no metering, autofocus or TTL flash control; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster.
  7. IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used.
  1. DX Nikkor: All functions supported;
  2. Type G- or D-AF Nikkor: All functions supported;
  3. Micro Nikkor 85mm F2.8D: All functions supported except some exposure modes;
  4. Other AF Nikkor (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR;
  5. AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR and autofocus;
  6. Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster.
  7. IX Nikkor Lenses cannot be used.
  1. DX Nikkor: All functions supported;
  2. Type G- or D-AF Nikkor: All functions supported;
  3. Micro Nikkor 85mm F2.8D: All functions supported except some exposure modes;
  4. Other AF Nikkor (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR;
  5. AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR and autofocus;
  6. Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster.
  7. IX Nikkor Lenses cannot be used.
  1. DX Nikkor: All functions supported;
  2. Type G- or D-AF Nikkor: All functions supported;
  3. Micro Nikkor 85mm F2.8D: All functions supported except some exposure modes;
  4. Other AF Nikkor (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR;
  5. AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR and autofocus;
  6. Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster.
  7. IX Nikkor Lenses cannot be used.

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D40 Overview Feature Comparison
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