Nikon D40X vs Sony A300
71 Imaging
48 Features
33 Overall
42


64 Imaging
49 Features
45 Overall
47
Nikon D40X vs Sony A300 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
- Introduced January 2008
- Replacement is Sony A330

Nikon D40X vs Sony A300 Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Nikon D40X and Sony A300, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D40X (10MP) and the A300 (10MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

The D40X was introduced 8 months prior to the A300 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the D40X grades versus the A300 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D40X vs Sony A300 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D40X and Sony Alpha DSLR-A300. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon D40X Gallery and Sony A300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D40X over the Sony A300
D40X | A300 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Nikon D40X
A300 | D40X | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2008 | ![]() | May 2007 | More modern by 8 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Common features in the Nikon D40X and Sony A300
D40X | A300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Nikon D40X vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D40X enjoys outer measurements of 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 522 grams (1.15 lbs) while the Sony A300 has measurements of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
See the Nikon D40X and Sony A300 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the D40X vs the A300.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D40X and A300 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D40X vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D40X and A300.
As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution and you should expect comparable quality of files but you really should factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more aged D40X will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D40X vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40X vs Sony A300 Specifications
Nikon D40X | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon D40X | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2007-05-27 | 2008-01-30 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.6mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 369.7mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
Peak resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 3872 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 3200 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt 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, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/200 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Highest video resolution | None | None |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 522 grams (1.15 lb) | 632 grams (1.39 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 63 | 64 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.4 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.4 | 11.4 |
DXO Low light score | 516 | 538 |
Other | ||
Battery model | EN-EL9 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | Compact Flash |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $375 | $0 |