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Nikon D40X vs Sony A580

Portability
71
Imaging
49
Features
33
Overall
42
Nikon D40X front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
82
Overall
67

Nikon D40X vs Sony A580 Key Specs

Nikon D40X
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 522g - 124 x 94 x 64mm
  • Introduced May 2007
  • Previous Model is Nikon D50
  • Newer Model is Nikon D60
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched May 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
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Nikon D40X vs Sony A580 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Nikon D40X and Sony A580, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the D40X (10MP) and A580 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D40X was unveiled 5 years before the A580 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the D40X scores against the A580 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D40X over the Sony A580

 D40X A580 

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Nikon D40X

 A580 D40X 
LaunchedMay 2011May 2007Newer by 48 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D40X and Sony A580

 D40X A580 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Nikon D40X vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon D40X comes with outside 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 A580 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check the Nikon D40X and Sony A580 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the D40X versus the A580.

Nikon D40X vs Sony A580 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D40X and A580 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D40X vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D40X vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading through technical specs. The picture here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D40X and A580.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Sony A580 to give you extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged D40X is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D40X vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Nikon D40X vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D40X vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D40X Portrait photography details
Sony A580 Portrait photography details
53
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D40X Street photography information
Sony A580 Street photography information
58
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
75
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D40X Sports photography info
Sony A580 Sports photography info
41
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
great battery power (1,050 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D40X Travel photography details
Sony A580 Travel photography details
48
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
61
great battery power (1,050 per charge)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D40X Landscape photography advice
Sony A580 Landscape photography advice
48
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
no Time Lapse mode
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (1,050 per charge)
two card slots
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D40X Vlogging highlights
Sony A580 Vlogging highlights
9
lack of video recording
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Nikon D40X vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D40X and Sony A580
 Nikon D40XSony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D40X Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2007-05-27 2011-05-26
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 3 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 17.00 m 12.00 m
Flash options 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 522 grams (1.15 lb) 599 grams (1.32 lb)
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 All around score 63 80
DXO Color Depth score 22.4 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 13.3
DXO Low light score 516 1121
Other
Battery life - 1050 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Dual
Retail pricing $375 $848