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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 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
  • Released December 2006
  • New Model is Nikon D3000
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-S1
Photography Glossary

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and K-S2 (20MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D40 was manufactured 9 years prior to the K-S2 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the D40 scores vs the K-S2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Pentax K-S2

 D40 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon D40

 K-S2 D40 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015December 2006Fresher by 99 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Pentax K-S2

 D40 K-S2 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D40 enjoys 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) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has proportions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") having a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the D40 and the K-S2.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the D40 and K-S2 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading through technical specs. The visual below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D40 and K-S2.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Pentax K-S2 to resolve extra detail due to its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The older D40 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography info
53
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (6MP)
78
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography information
Pentax K-S2 Street photography information
58
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
72
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
great ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography advice
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
low battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography information
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography information
47
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
low battery (410 per charge)
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography highlights
47
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
low battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging advice
9
no video shooting
71
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone support
more heavy than competition (678 grams)
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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon D40Pentax K-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D40 Pentax K-S2
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2006-12-21 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 367.4mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 3008 x 2000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max boosted ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 5.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 17.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 522 gr (1.15 lb) 678 gr (1.49 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 410 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $500 $581