Canon 40D vs Nikon D3000

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Canon 40D vs Nikon D3000

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APS-C 369.7mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon 40D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 40D.

APS-C 372.9mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3000.

Succeeded by the Canon 50D
Compare 40D vs 50D
Compare Canon 50D vs Nikon D3000

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Differences

Canon 40D advantages over Nikon D3000

Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
40D test data on DxO Mark D3000 test data on DxO Mark

703 vs 563 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

800 vs 550 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
6.4 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 16 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3000 advantages over Canon 40D

Less expensive
$600 vs $1299 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Neither provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 40D Full Review

Read our Nikon D3000 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Canon 40D

Pentax K200D

$1299
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Pentax K200D

Nikon D3000

Pentax K200D

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon 40D

Sony DSLR-A230

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A230

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
Faster JPEG shooting

$549
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
HDMI out

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Canon 40D

Sony DSLR-A330

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$530
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Sony DSLR-A330

Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A330

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
More viewfinder magnification

$530
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Compared to Pentax K-x

Canon 40D

Pentax K-x

$1299
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Pentax K-x

Nikon D3000

Pentax K-x

$450
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

$702
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-x

Compared to Pentax K-r

Canon 40D

Pentax K-r

$1299
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Pentax K-r

Nikon D3000

Pentax K-r

$450
APS-C

Less expensive

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-r

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