Canon 550D vs Nikon D40
70 Imaging
57 Features
63 Overall
59
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71 Imaging
45 Features
33 Overall
40
Canon 550D vs Nikon D40 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- 530g - 129 x 98 x 62mm
- Introduced April 2010
- Additionally Known as EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4
- Replaced the Canon 500D
- Later Model is Canon 600D
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 1600 (Push to 3200)
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
- Announced December 2006
- Later Model is Nikon D3000
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Canon 550D vs Nikon D40 Overview
In this article, we will be matching up the Canon 550D and Nikon D40, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the 550D (18MP) and D40 (6MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (APS-C).
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The 550D was announced 3 years after the D40 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the 550D grades against the D40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Canon 550D vs Nikon D40 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 550D and Nikon D40. The whole galleries are provided at Canon 550D Gallery and Nikon D40 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 550D over the Nikon D40
550D | D40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2010 | ![]() | December 2006 | Newer by 40 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+810k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Canon 550D
D40 | 550D |
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Common features in the Canon 550D and Nikon D40
550D | D40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Canon 550D vs Nikon D40 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon 550D offers external dimensions of 129mm x 98mm x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") and a weight of 530 grams (1.17 lbs) whilst the Nikon D40 has sizing of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs).
Contrast the Canon 550D and Nikon D40 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the 550D compared to the D40.
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Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the 550D and D40 is 70 and 71 respectively.
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Canon 550D vs Nikon D40 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The image below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 550D and D40.
As you can tell, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Canon 550D to show extra detail with its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more recent 550D provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.
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Canon 550D vs Nikon D40 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Canon 550D vs Nikon D40 Specifications
Canon EOS 550D | Nikon D40 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon EOS 550D | Nikon D40 |
Also Known as | EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4 | - |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2010-04-01 | 2006-12-21 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.7 x 15.5mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 367.4mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 6 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 3008 x 2000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Max enhanced ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF/EF-S | Nikon F |
Total lenses | 326 | 309 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.5 inches |
Display resolution | 1,040 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT color liquid-crystal LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m | 17.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/200 secs | 1/500 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | H.264 | - |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 530 grams (1.17 pounds) | 522 grams (1.15 pounds) |
Dimensions | 129 x 98 x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") | 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 66 | 56 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.0 | 21.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.6 | 11.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 807 | 561 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 470 pictures | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | LP-E8 | EN-EL9 |
Self timer | Yes (2 sec or 10 sec) | Yes (2 to 20 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $599 | $500 |