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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Nikon D40
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Revealed December 2006
  • Successor is Nikon D3000
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Nikon D40 and Pentax K-50, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and K-50 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The D40 was unveiled 8 years earlier than the K-50 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the D40 grades vs the K-50 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Pentax K-50

 D40 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Nikon D40

 K-50 D40 
ReleasedNovember 2013December 2006Newer by 84 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Pentax K-50

 D40 K-50 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D40 features external 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 Pentax K-50 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check the Nikon D40 and Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the D40 vs the K-50.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the D40 and K-50 is 71 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D40 and K-50.

Clearly, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax K-50 to render more detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged D40 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
53
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
low MP (6 megapixels)
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography features
Pentax K-50 Street photography features
58
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
great ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
more heavy than others in class (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-50 Travel photography advice
47
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
56
environment sealing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (650g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D40
Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
47
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D40
Vlogging with Pentax K-50
9
no video
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing microphone support
more heavy than others in class (650g)
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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Pentax K-50
 Nikon D40Pentax K-50
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D40 Pentax K-50
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2006-12-21 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 3008 x 2000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 51600
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 522 gr (1.15 lbs) 650 gr (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 79
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 13.0
DXO Low light rating 561 1120
Other
Battery life - 410 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $500 $610