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Nikon D40 vs Sony A57

Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Nikon D40 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Nikon D40 vs Sony A57 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
  • Revealed December 2006
  • Renewed by Nikon D3000
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A55
  • Newer Model is Sony A58
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A57 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Nikon D40 versus Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the D40 (6MP) and A57 (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D40 was introduced 6 years earlier than the A57 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the D40 matches up against the A57 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40 over the Sony A57

 D40 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Nikon D40

 A57 D40 
LaunchedSeptember 2012December 2006Fresher by 69 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D40 and Sony A57

 D40 A57 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon D40 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D40 features outer measurements of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) and the Sony A57 has sizing of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D40 versus Sony A57 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the D40 versus the A57.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D40 and A57 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the D40 and A57.

As you can see, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Sony A57 to provide you with greater detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images much more aggressively. The older D40 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D40 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40 Portrait photography information
Sony A57 Portrait photography information
53
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40 Street photography features
Sony A57 Street photography features
58
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
75
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40 Sports photography info
Sony A57 Sports photography info
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D40 Travel photography advice
Sony A57 Travel photography advice
47
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
67
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A57 as a Landscape photography camera
47
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
no Time Lapse function
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A57 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
77
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic socket
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Nikon D40 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40 and Sony A57
 Nikon D40Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D40 Sony SLT-A57
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2006-12-21 2012-09-13
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
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 6 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3008 x 2000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 16000
Max boosted ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 17.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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 synchronize 1/500s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 522 grams (1.15 lbs) 618 grams (1.36 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 75
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 13.0
DXO Low light rating 561 785
Other
Battery life - 550 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $500 $1,000