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Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Nikon D40 front
Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3000
  • Renewed by Nikon D3200
Nikon D40
(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
  • Launched December 2006
  • Later Model is Nikon D3000
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Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Nikon D3100 versus Nikon D40, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and both of them are manufactured by Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D3100 (14MP) and D40 (6MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3100 was announced 4 years after the D40 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the D3100 scores against the D40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Nikon D40

 D3100 D40 
LaunchedDecember 2010December 2006More modern by 49 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Nikon D3100

 D40 D3100 

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Nikon D40

 D3100 D40 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3100 comes with outer measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) and 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).

Look at the Nikon D3100 versus Nikon D40 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the D3100 against the D40.

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3100 and D40 is 68 and 71 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by looking at technical specs. The picture here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and D40.

As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Nikon D3100 to give greater detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger D3100 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3100
Portrait photography with Nikon D40
72
manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
53
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 Street photography factors
Nikon D40 Street photography factors
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D40 as a Sports photography camera
60
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
39
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3100
Travel photography with Nikon D40
58
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
47
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (6MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 Landscape photography information
Nikon D40 Landscape photography information
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
47
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3100
Vlogging with Nikon D40
27
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic support
9
can't record video
Photography Glossary

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Nikon D40
 Nikon D3100Nikon D40
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3100 Nikon D40
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-12-21 2006-12-21
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 2 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.7 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 355.7mm² 367.4mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3072 3008 x 2000
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 17.00 m
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/500 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 505 gr (1.11 lbs) 522 gr (1.15 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 56
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 11.0
DXO Low light rating 919 561
Other
Battery life 550 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL14 EN-EL9
Self timer Yes Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $565 $500