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Nikon D40 vs Sony A290

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Nikon D40
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600 (Push to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Launched December 2006
  • New Model is Nikon D3000
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Nikon D40 vs Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and A290 (14MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D40 was introduced 4 years prior to the A290 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the D40 grades versus the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Sony A290

 D40 A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon D40

 A290 D40 
LaunchedJune 2010December 2006More recent by 42 months
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Sony A290

 D40 A290 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D40 has external measurements of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the D40 vs the A290.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D40 and A290 is 71 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by seeing specifications. The photograph underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D40 and A290.

To sum up, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony A290 to produce more detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older D40 will be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
53
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (6MP)
65
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D40
Street photography with Sony A290
58
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
39
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
low battery pack (290 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
47
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
47
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
low battery pack (290 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Sony A290
 Nikon D40Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D40 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2006-12-21 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 367.4mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3008 x 2000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
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 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 17.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 522g (1.15 lb) 549g (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 66
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 11.5
DXO Low light score 561 615
Other
Battery life - 290 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $500 $600