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Nikon D40 vs Sony A390

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Nikon D40 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Nikon D40
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Introduced December 2006
  • Updated by Nikon D3000
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A380
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A390 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Nikon D40 versus Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and A390 (14MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D40 was launched 4 years prior to the A390 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the D40 matches up vs the A390 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Sony A390

 D40 A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Nikon D40

 A390 D40 
AnnouncedJuly 2010December 2006More recent by 43 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Sony A390

 D40 A390 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Nikon D40 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D40 has got exterior dimensions of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 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).

Check the Nikon D40 versus Sony A390 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the D40 compared to the A390.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D40 and A390 is 71 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements merely by viewing specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the D40 and A390.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony A390 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The older D40 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A390 Portrait photography highlights
53
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography information
Sony A390 Street photography information
58
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
low battery power (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography features
Sony A390 Travel photography features
47
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
low battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 Landscape photography details
Sony A390 Landscape photography details
47
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low battery power (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 Vlogging features
Sony A390 Vlogging features
9
no video recording
9
can't record video
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Sony A390
 Nikon D40Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D40 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2006-12-21 2010-07-28
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 6MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3008 x 2000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
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 screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 17.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 522 gr (1.15 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
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 All around score 56 66
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 11.5
DXO Low light score 561 607
Other
Battery life - 230 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $500 $500