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Nikon D40X vs Sony A500

Portability
71
Imaging
49
Features
33
Overall
42
Nikon D40X front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D40X vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Nikon D40X
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Released May 2007
  • Old Model is Nikon D50
  • Later Model is Nikon D60
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Replacement is Sony A560
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Nikon D40X vs Sony A500 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Nikon D40X and Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D40X (10MP) and the A500 (12MP) is fairly well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D40X was revealed 3 years prior to the A500 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summary of how the D40X grades against the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40X over the Sony A500

 D40X A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Nikon D40X

 A500 D40X 
ReleasedAugust 2009May 2007More modern by 27 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Nikon D40X and Sony A500

 D40X A500 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Nikon D40X vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D40X features physical 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 A500 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check the Nikon D40X and Sony A500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the D40X compared to the A500.

Nikon D40X vs Sony A500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D40X and A500 is 71 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D40X vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40X vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The pic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the D40X and A500.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Sony A500 to give extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged D40X is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon D40X vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40X vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40X vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D40X
Portrait photography with Sony A500
53
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
low megapixels (10MP)
63
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40X Street photography highlights
Sony A500 Street photography highlights
58
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D40X
Sports photography with Sony A500
41
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
51
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (520 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D40X Travel photography highlights
Sony A500 Travel photography highlights
48
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
43
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (520 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40X as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A500 as a Landscape photography camera
48
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
60
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (520 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D40X
Vlogging with Sony A500
9
no video shooting
9
can't record video
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Nikon D40X vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40X and Sony A500
 Nikon D40XSony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D40X Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2007-05-27 2009-08-27
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
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 mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 17.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 pounds) 630 grams (1.39 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 Overall score 63 64
DXO Color Depth score 22.4 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 11.6
DXO Low light score 516 772
Other
Battery life - 520 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $375 $638