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Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100

Portability
71
Imaging
49
Features
33
Overall
42
Nikon D40X front
 
Nikon D5100 front
Portability
66
Imaging
56
Features
81
Overall
66

Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs

Nikon D40X
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Revealed May 2007
  • Succeeded the Nikon D50
  • New Model is Nikon D60
Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Revealed April 2011
  • Succeeded the Nikon D5000
  • Newer Model is Nikon D5200
Photography Glossary

Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Nikon D40X versus Nikon D5100, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and they are both sold by Nikon. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the D40X (10MP) and D5100 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D40X was announced 4 years prior to the D5100 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the D40X grades versus the D5100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40X over the Nikon D5100

 D40X D5100 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D40X

 D5100 D40X 
RevealedApril 2011May 2007More modern by 47 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D40X and Nikon D5100

 D40X D5100 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and size. The Nikon D40X 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 Nikon D5100 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

See the Nikon D40X versus Nikon D5100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the D40X against the D5100.

Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D40X and D5100 is 71 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The pic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D40X and D5100.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon D5100 to provide you with extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged D40X will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40X Portrait photography info
Nikon D5100 Portrait photography info
53
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40X Street photography information
Nikon D5100 Street photography information
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
67
screen articulates
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40X Sports photography information
Nikon D5100 Sports photography information
41
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
63
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery power (660 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40X Travel photography features
Nikon D5100 Travel photography features
48
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
77
better than average battery power (660 shots)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40X Landscape photography info
Nikon D5100 Landscape photography info
48
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (660 shots)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40X as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D5100 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
69
selfie friendly screen
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
lack of image stabilization
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Nikon D40X vs Nikon D5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40X and Nikon D5100
 Nikon D40XNikon D5100
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D40X Nikon D5100
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2007-05-27 2011-04-26
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Expeed 2
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.7mm² 370.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 3 11
Cross focus points - 1
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.52x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 17.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4
Microphone 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 522 grams (1.15 lb) 560 grams (1.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 63 80
DXO Color Depth score 22.4 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 13.6
DXO Low light score 516 1183
Other
Battery life - 660 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9 EN-EL14
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $375 $0