Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100
71 Imaging
45 Features
33 Overall
40
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
- Introduced December 2006
- Newer Model is Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Introduced April 2011
- Old Model is Nikon D5000
- Newer Model is Nikon D5200
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Overview
Following is a complete analysis of the Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and both of them are offered by Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and D5100 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe D40 was released 5 years prior to the D5100 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the D40 matches up vs the D5100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D40 and Nikon D5100. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon D40 Gallery and Nikon D5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Nikon D5100
D40 | D5100 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D40
D5100 | D40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2011 | December 2006 | More modern by 52 months | |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
Screen resolution | 921k | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) | |
Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D40 and Nikon D5100
D40 | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | More precise focusing | |||
Touch screen | Neither includes Touch screen |
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D40 features outer dimensions of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) and the Nikon D5100 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).
Check the Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the D40 against the D5100.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D40 and D5100 is 71 and 66 respectively.
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over specifications. The pic underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D40 and D5100.
To sum up, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Nikon D5100 to deliver more detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged D40 is going to be behind in sensor technology.
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Specifications
Nikon D40 | Nikon D5100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon D40 | Nikon D5100 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2006-12-21 | 2011-04-26 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Expeed 2 |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.5mm | 23.6 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 367.4mm² | 370.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 3008 x 2000 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 1 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Total lenses | 309 | 309 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.52x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 17.00 m | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/500s | 1/200s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 522g (1.15 lb) | 560g (1.23 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 56 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.0 | 23.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.0 | 13.6 |
DXO Low light rating | 561 | 1183 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 660 pictures |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL9 | EN-EL14 |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $500 | $0 |