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Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Nikon D5300 front
Portability
68
Imaging
65
Features
81
Overall
71

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed December 2006
  • Newer Model is Nikon D3000
Nikon D5300
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 480g - 125 x 98 x 76mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon D5200
  • Successor is Nikon D5500
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Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 Overview

Following is a extensive review of the Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both of them are created by Nikon. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and D5300 (24MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D40 was brought out 8 years earlier than the D5300 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple summation of how the D40 matches up vs the D5300 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Nikon D5300

 D40 D5300 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5300 over the Nikon D40

 D5300 D40 
ReleasedFebruary 2014December 2006More modern by 87 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Nikon D5300

 D40 D5300 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D40 provides exterior measurements of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5300 has sizing of 125mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 480 grams (1.06 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the D40 vs the D5300.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the D40 and D5300 is 71 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The picture underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D40 and D5300.

As you can tell, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Nikon D5300 to show extra detail having its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged D40 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D40
Portrait photography with Nikon D5300
53
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
low MP (6MP)
79
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Street photography camera
Nikon D5300 as a Street photography camera
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
69
screen articulates
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 Sports photography details
Nikon D5300 Sports photography details
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
low fps (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
65
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D5300 as a Travel photography camera
47
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (6MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
80
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 Landscape photography info
Nikon D5300 Landscape photography info
47
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
lack of Timelapse function
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 Vlogging information
Nikon D5300 Vlogging information
9
no video recording
72
screen is selfie friendly
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic port
lack of image stabilization
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Nikon D40 vs Nikon D5300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Nikon D5300
 Nikon D40Nikon D5300
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D40 Nikon D5300
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2006-12-21 2014-02-12
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed 4
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 367.4mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 39
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Number of lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.5" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 17.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 522 gr (1.15 lbs) 480 gr (1.06 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 125 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 83
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 24.0
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 13.9
DXO Low light score 561 1338
Other
Battery life - 600 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9 EN-EL14,EN-EL14a
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $500 $429