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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Nikon D40
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Announced December 2006
  • Updated by Nikon D3000
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Revealed December 2009
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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-x Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Nikon D40 versus Pentax K-x, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and K-x (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D40 was unveiled 4 years before the K-x and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the D40 grades versus the K-x in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Pentax K-x

 D40 K-x 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Nikon D40

 K-x D40 
RevealedDecember 2009December 2006Fresher by 36 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Pentax K-x

 D40 K-x 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D40 features outer dimensions of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has proportions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D40 versus Pentax K-x in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the D40 and the K-x.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D40 and K-x is 71 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing merely by viewing specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D40 and K-x.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax K-x to render more detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older D40 will be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-x Portrait photography info
53
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography info
Pentax K-x Street photography info
58
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Sports photography camera
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
61
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (1,900 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography information
Pentax K-x Travel photography information
47
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
54
great battery life (1,900 per charge)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D40
Landscape photography with Pentax K-x
47
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
no Time Lapse recording
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (1,900 shots)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 Vlogging features
Pentax K-x Vlogging features
9
no video recording
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
does not have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
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Nikon D40 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Pentax K-x
 Nikon D40Pentax K-x
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D40 Pentax K-x
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2006-12-21 2009-12-23
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
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 6MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2000 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 17.00 m 16.00 m
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 522g (1.15 lb) 580g (1.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 12.5
DXO Low light score 561 811
Other
Battery life - 1900 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $500 $600