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Canon 30D vs Nikon D40

Portability
58
Imaging
45
Features
39
Overall
42
Canon EOS 30D front
 
Nikon D40 front
Portability
71
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Canon 30D vs Nikon D40 Key Specs

Canon 30D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 784g - 144 x 106 x 74mm
  • Launched April 2006
  • Earlier Model is Canon 20D
  • Replacement is Canon 40D
Nikon D40
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Revealed December 2006
  • Updated by Nikon D3000
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Canon 30D vs Nikon D40 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Canon 30D and Nikon D40, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the 30D (8MP) and D40 (6MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The 30D was manufactured 8 months before the D40 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon 30D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon D40 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief view of how the 30D scores versus the D40 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 30D over the Nikon D40

 30D D40 

Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Canon 30D

 D40 30D 
RevealedDecember 2006April 2006More modern by 8 months

Common features in the Canon 30D and Nikon D40

 30D D40 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.5"2.5"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon 30D vs Nikon D40 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon 30D enjoys external dimensions of 144mm x 106mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") and a weight of 784 grams (1.73 lbs) while the Nikon D40 has proportions of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs).

Check the Canon 30D and Nikon D40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the 30D and the D40.

Canon 30D vs Nikon D40 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the 30D and D40 is 58 and 71 respectively.

Canon 30D vs Nikon D40 top view buttons comparison

Canon 30D vs Nikon D40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the 30D and D40.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Canon 30D to offer extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged 30D is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 30D vs Nikon D40 sensor size comparison

Canon 30D vs Nikon D40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 30D vs Nikon D40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 30D Portrait photography features
Nikon D40 Portrait photography features
51
focusing manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (8MP)
53
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/500s)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon 30D Street photography advice
Nikon D40 Street photography advice
52
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
no image stabilization
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 30D Sports photography factors
Nikon D40 Sports photography factors
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 30D as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D40 as a Travel photography camera
42
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
47
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 30D
Landscape photography with Nikon D40
46
focusing manually
swap lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 30D Vlogging factors
Nikon D40 Vlogging factors
9
no video
9
no video recording
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Canon 30D vs Nikon D40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 30D and Nikon D40
 Canon EOS 30DNikon D40
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS 30D Nikon D40
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2006-04-04 2006-12-21
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.5 x 15mm 23.7 x 15.5mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 367.4mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 3504 x 2336 3008 x 2000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max enhanced ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Amount of lenses 326 309
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (ISO 100) 17.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/500 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 784 gr (1.73 pounds) 522 gr (1.15 pounds)
Dimensions 144 x 106 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 59 56
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 11.0
DXO Low light rating 736 561
Other
Battery ID - EN-EL9
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $773 $500