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Nikon D40 vs Sony A37

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 Key Specs

Nikon D40
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Launched December 2006
  • New Model is Nikon D3000
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Revealed May 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A35
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Nikon D40 vs Sony A37, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and A37 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D40 was released 6 years prior to the A37 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the D40 matches up versus the A37 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Sony A37

 D40 A37 

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Nikon D40

 A37 D40 
RevealedMay 2012December 2006More modern by 65 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing2.6"2.5"Larger display (+0.1")

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Sony A37

 D40 A37 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D40 enjoys exterior measurements of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") along with a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) while the Sony A37 has dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 in the new Camera and 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 use at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the D40 and the A37.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D40 and A37 is 71 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing specs. The pic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D40 and A37.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony A37 to provide extra detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged D40 will be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A37 Portrait photography highlights
53
manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
74
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography advice
Sony A37 Street photography advice
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
77
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A37 as a Sports photography camera
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (6.0 fps)
low battery (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography factors
Sony A37 Travel photography factors
47
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
54
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery (500 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 Landscape photography information
Sony A37 Landscape photography information
47
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
64
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.6 inch)
low battery (500 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 Vlogging advice
Sony A37 Vlogging advice
9
can't shoot video
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Sony A37
 Nikon D40Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D40 Sony SLT-A37
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2006-12-21 2012-05-16
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 367.4mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3008 x 2000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5" 2.6"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 522 gr (1.15 lb) 506 gr (1.12 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 75
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 12.9
DXO Low light rating 561 799
Other
Battery life - 500 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $500 $522