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Nikon D40 vs Sony A450

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A450 front
Portability
65
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 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
  • Revealed December 2006
  • Successor is Nikon D3000
Sony A450
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 560g - 137 x 104 x 81mm
  • Released January 2010
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Nikon D40 vs Sony A450, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and A450 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D40 was announced 4 years earlier than the A450 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the D40 scores versus the A450 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Sony A450

 D40 A450 

Reasons to pick Sony A450 over the Nikon D40

 A450 D40 
ReleasedJanuary 2010December 2006More modern by 37 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Sony A450

 D40 A450 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. 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) whilst the Sony A450 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the D40 against the A450.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D40 and A450 is 71 and 65 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by reading through technical specs. The picture below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D40 and A450.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony A450 to give extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The more aged D40 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 Portrait photography advice
Sony A450 Portrait photography advice
53
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
72
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography advice
Sony A450 Street photography advice
58
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 Sports photography advice
Sony A450 Sports photography advice
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
77
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (1,050 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography factors
Sony A450 Travel photography factors
47
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
60
good battery pack (1,050 shots)
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D40
Landscape photography with Sony A450
47
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
66
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (1,050 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.7")
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 Vlogging advice
Sony A450 Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
9
no video recording
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A450 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Sony A450
 Nikon D40Sony Alpha DSLR-A450
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D40 Sony Alpha DSLR-A450
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2006-12-21 2010-01-05
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 3200 -
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Clear Photo Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, Fill, Rear Sync, Slow Sync, Wireless/ High Speed Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
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) 560g (1.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 137 x 104 x 81mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 66
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 11.8
DXO Low light rating 561 769
Other
Battery life - 1050 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $500 $1,241