Nikon D40 vs Sony A560
71 Imaging
45 Features
33 Overall
40


64 Imaging
54 Features
78 Overall
63
Nikon D40 vs Sony A560 Key Specs
(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
- Released December 2006
- Newer Model is Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced August 2010
- Old Model is Sony A500

Nikon D40 vs Sony A560 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Nikon D40 vs Sony A560, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and A560 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

The D40 was introduced 4 years before the A560 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the D40 grades vs the A560 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A560 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D40 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A560. The whole galleries are available at Nikon D40 Gallery and Sony A560 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Sony A560
D40 | A560 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A560 over the Nikon D40
A560 | D40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2010 | ![]() | December 2006 | More modern by 44 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D40 and Sony A560
D40 | A560 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Nikon D40 vs Sony A560 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D40 comes with exterior 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 A560 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).
See the Nikon D40 vs Sony A560 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the D40 vs the A560.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D40 and A560 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A560 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing specifications. The pic underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D40 and A560.
Plainly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony A560 to render more detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged D40 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A560 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A560 Specifications
Nikon D40 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon D40 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2006-12-21 | 2010-08-24 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.5mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 367.4mm² | 366.6mm² |
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 | 12800 |
Highest boosted ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 15 |
Cross focus points | - | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 309 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 17.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/500s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 522 gr (1.15 pounds) | 599 gr (1.32 pounds) |
Dimensions | 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 56 | 70 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.0 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.0 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light score | 561 | 817 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 1050 images |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL9 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 2 |
Pricing at launch | $500 | $650 |