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Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Nikon D90 front
Portability
60
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Key Specs

Nikon D40
(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
Nikon D90
(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
Photography Glossary

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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Nikon D90

 D40 D90 

Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Nikon D40

 D90 D40 
AnnouncedOctober 2008December 2006Newer by 22 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Nikon D90

 D40 D90 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 size comparison

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

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D40
Portrait photography with Nikon D90
53
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/500s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
MP count low (6 megapixels)
62
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Street photography camera
Nikon D90 as a Street photography camera
58
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
54
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D40
Sports photography with Nikon D90
39
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
45
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D40
Travel photography with Nikon D90
47
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (6 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
44
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 Landscape photography info
Nikon D90 Landscape photography info
47
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
57
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D90 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
21
comes with face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Nikon D90
 Nikon D40Nikon 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