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Nikon D40 vs Sony A230

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Nikon D40 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Nikon D40
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Introduced December 2006
  • Updated by Nikon D3000
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A200
  • Successor is Sony A290
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A230 Overview

Lets look closer at the Nikon D40 and Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and A230 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D40 was brought out 3 years earlier than the A230 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the D40 matches up vs the A230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Sony A230

 D40 A230 

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Nikon D40

 A230 D40 
LaunchedMay 2009December 2006Fresher by 29 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Sony A230

 D40 A230 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon D40 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D40 features external dimensions of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) and the Sony A230 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D40 and Sony A230 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the D40 versus the A230.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D40 and A230 is 71 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing purely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D40 and A230.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A230 to provide you with extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The older D40 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 Portrait photography features
Sony A230 Portrait photography features
53
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/500s)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low MP (6MP)
54
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography information
Sony A230 Street photography information
58
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 Sports photography information
Sony A230 Sports photography information
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D40
Travel photography with Sony A230
47
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (6 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
45
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 Landscape photography factors
Sony A230 Landscape photography factors
47
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
51
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
resolution not great (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 Vlogging factors
Sony A230 Vlogging factors
9
no video
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Sony A230
 Nikon D40Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D40 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2006-12-21 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2000 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 17.00 m 10.00 m
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 522g (1.15 lb) 490g (1.08 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 63
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 11.4
DXO Low light rating 561 531
Other
Battery life - 230 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $500 $569