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Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Nikon D5100 front
Portability
66
Imaging
56
Features
81
Overall
66

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs

Nikon D40
(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
Nikon D5100
(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
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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).

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Nikon D5100

 D40 D5100 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D40

 D5100 D40 
IntroducedApril 2011December 2006More modern by 52 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D40 and D5100 is 71 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon D5100 Portrait photography highlights
53
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (6MP)
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography details
Nikon D5100 Street photography details
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
67
screen articulates
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D5100 as a Sports photography camera
39
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
63
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery power (660 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography info
Nikon D5100 Travel photography info
47
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
77
better than average battery power (660 per charge)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D5100 as a Landscape photography camera
47
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
72
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (660 CIPA)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 Vlogging highlights
Nikon D5100 Vlogging highlights
9
no video
69
display is selfie friendly
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
no image stabilization
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Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Nikon D5100
 Nikon D40Nikon 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