Canon 40D vs Nikon D90

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Canon 40D vs Nikon D90

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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
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D90 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D90.

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

Succeeded by the Nikon D7000
Compare D90 vs D7000

Compare CANON 50D vs NIKON D7000

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Differences

Canon 40D advantages over Nikon D90

More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
6.4 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D90 advantages over Canon 40D

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.4 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.
D90 test data on DxO Mark 40D test data on DxO Mark

977 vs 703 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D90 test data on DxO Mark 40D test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 11.3 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
12.3 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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
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 D90 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 50D

Canon 40D

Canon 50D

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$1000
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

Compare Canon 40D vs Canon 50D

Nikon D90

Canon 50D

$1300
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$1000
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D90 vs Canon 50D

Compared to Nikon D300S

Canon 40D

Nikon D300S

$1299
APS-C

Less shutter lag
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1697
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 40D vs Nikon D300S

Nikon D90

Nikon D300S

$1300
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1697
APS-C

External Mic Jack
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D90 vs Nikon D300S

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 40D

Sony DSLR-A550

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D90

Sony DSLR-A550

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Canon 40D

Sony DSLR-A500

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Top deck display

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D90

Sony DSLR-A500

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon 40D

Pentax K-5

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 40D vs Pentax K-5

Nikon D90

Pentax K-5

$1300
APS-C

Fast startup
More telephoto lens reach

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-5

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