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Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50

Portability
71
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Nikon D40 front
 
Nikon Z50 front
Portability
74
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73

Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50 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
  • Launched December 2006
  • Newer Model is Nikon D3000
Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Announced October 2019
Photography Glossary

Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Nikon D40 versus Nikon Z50, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are produced by Nikon. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and Z50 (21MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D40 was announced 13 years before the Z50 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Nikon D40 being a Compact SLR camera and the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the D40 scores vs the Z50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Nikon Z50

 D40 Z50 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Nikon D40

 Z50 D40 
AnnouncedOctober 2019December 2006Newer by 155 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Nikon Z50

 D40 Z50 
Manually focus Very exact focus

Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D40 offers physical measurements of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) while the Nikon Z50 has proportions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") and a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs).

See the Nikon D40 versus Nikon Z50 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the D40 compared to the Z50.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the D40 and Z50 is 71 and 74 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by looking at a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D40 and Z50.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Nikon Z50 to resolve more detail with its extra 15 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged D40 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon Z50 as a Portrait photography camera
53
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
80
you can focus manually
MP count good (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography details
Nikon Z50 Street photography details
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
72
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
features focus by touch
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (397g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 Sports photography details
Nikon Z50 Sports photography details
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
75
MP count good (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography highlights
Nikon Z50 Travel photography highlights
47
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
77
environment proofing
has bluetooth
features focus by touch
MP count good (21MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (397 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D40
Landscape photography with Nikon Z50
46
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
MP count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon Z50 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
71
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
provides face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic support
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (397 grams)
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Nikon D40 vs Nikon Z50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Nikon Z50
 Nikon D40Nikon Z50
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D40 Nikon Z50
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2006-12-21 2019-10-10
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 21MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3008 x 2000 5568 x 3712
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 209
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon Z
Amount of lenses 309 15
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 11.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 17.00 m 7.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 522g (1.15 pounds) 397g (0.88 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 561 not tested
Other
Battery life - 320 photographs
Form of battery - Built-in
Battery ID EN-EL9 EN-EL25
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $500 $857