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Nikon D40 vs Sony A100

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
38
Overall
44

Nikon D40 vs Sony A100 Key Specs

Nikon D40
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Launched December 2006
  • New Model is Nikon D3000
Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Announced July 2006
  • Succeeded the Konica Minolta 5D
  • Replacement is Sony A550
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A100 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Nikon D40 and Sony A100, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and A100 (10MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D40 was launched 5 months later than the A100 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the D40 scores versus the A100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Sony A100

 D40 A100 

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Nikon D40

 A100 D40 

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Sony A100

 D40 A100 
AnnouncedDecember 2006July 2006Same age
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.5"2.5"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon D40 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D40 has got external dimensions of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) while the Sony A100 has specifications of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D40 and Sony A100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the D40 versus the A100.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D40 and A100 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D40 and A100.

Clearly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Sony A100 to result in more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A100 as a Portrait photography camera
53
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/500s)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
low MP (6MP)
53
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography details
Sony A100 Street photography details
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 Sports photography highlights
Sony A100 Sports photography highlights
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography info
Sony A100 Travel photography info
47
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low MP (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
45
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 Landscape photography information
Sony A100 Landscape photography information
47
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
53
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 Vlogging factors
Sony A100 Vlogging factors
9
can't record video
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Sony A100
 Nikon D40Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D40 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2006-12-21 2006-07-31
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 367.4mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 3008 x 2000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max enhanced ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m -
Flash options Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 522g (1.15 lb) 638g (1.41 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 61
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 22.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 11.2
DXO Low light rating 561 476
Other
Battery ID EN-EL9 NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $500 $1,000