Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90
71 Imaging
45 Features
33 Overall
40


60 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
- Revealed December 2006
- Renewed by Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
- Announced October 2008
- Previous Model is Nikon D80
- Renewed by Nikon D7000

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Overview
Lets take a deeper look at the Nikon D40 versus Nikon D90, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are manufactured by Nikon. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and D90 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

The D40 was launched 22 months earlier than the D90 making them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon D40 being a Compact SLR camera and the Nikon D90 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the D40 matches up vs the D90 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D40 and Nikon D90. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D40 Gallery and Nikon D90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Nikon D90
D40 | D90 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Nikon D40
D90 | D40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | October 2008 | ![]() | December 2006 | Newer by 22 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D40 and Nikon D90
D40 | D90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D40 comes with exterior measurements of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) and the Nikon D90 has proportions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") along with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).
Check out the Nikon D40 versus Nikon D90 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the D40 and the D90.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the D40 and D90 is 71 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over specifications. The image underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the D40 and D90.
Plainly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon D90 to offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged D40 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Specifications
Nikon D40 | Nikon D90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon D40 | Nikon D90 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2006-12-21 | 2008-10-13 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.5mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 367.4mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 3008 x 2000 | 4288 x 2848 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Max boosted ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Number of lenses | 309 | 309 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | - | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 96% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 4.5fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 17.00 m | 17.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow | Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/500s | 1/200s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video file format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 522 gr (1.15 pounds) | 703 gr (1.55 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 56 | 73 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.0 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.0 | 12.5 |
DXO Low light score | 561 | 977 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 850 photographs |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL9 | EN-EL3e |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $500 | $1,199 |