Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40
68 Imaging
54 Features
59 Overall
56
71 Imaging
45 Features
33 Overall
40
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Key Specs
(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
(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
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).
Photography GlossaryThe 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.
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D3100 & Nikon D40. The whole galleries are available at Nikon D3100 Gallery & Nikon D40 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Nikon D40
D3100 | D40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | December 2010 | December 2006 | More modern by 49 months | |
Screen dimensions | 3" | 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Exact 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.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.
Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3100 and D40 is 68 and 71 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Specifications
Nikon D3100 | Nikon 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 |