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Nikon D40

 
Nikon D40 front
 
Portability
71
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Nikon D40 overview

Nikon D40 is Nikon's Entry-Level DSLR camera first released on December of 2006. It uses a 6 MegaPixel, CCD APS-C sized sensor and has a maximum resolution of 3008 x 2000.

Nikon launched the updated Nikon D3000 (Read Full Comparison) in order to improve this camera.

The D40 comes in at #76 out of 80 in Entry-Level DSLR cameras & all around #722 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. Remember to use our Smart camera search to find camera listings based on your personal criteria.

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The following is a chart of various criteria used in the scoring system.

Nikon D40 family

The Nikon D40 has a history of related cameras. Listed below, you can identify all earlier and most recent models along with main specifications.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Nikon-D3500 front thumbnailNikon D3500
D40 vs D3500
24MPAPS-C5.0 fps2018
Nikon-D5600 front thumbnailNikon D5600
D40 vs D5600
24MPAPS-C5.0 fps2016
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Nikon-D3400 front thumbnailNikon D3400
D40 vs D3400
24MPAPS-C5.0 fps2016
Nikon-D5500 front thumbnailNikon D5500
D40 vs D5500
24MPAPS-C5.0 fps2015
Nikon-D3300 front thumbnailNikon D3300
D40 vs D3300
24MPAPS-C5.0 fps2014
Nikon-D5300 front thumbnailNikon D5300
D40 vs D5300
24MPAPS-C5.0 fps2014
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Nikon-D5200 front thumbnailNikon D5200
D40 vs D5200
24MPAPS-C5.0 fps2013
Nikon-D3200 front thumbnailNikon D3200
D40 vs D3200
24MPAPS-C4.0 fps2012
Nikon-D5100 front thumbnailNikon D5100
D40 vs D5100
16MPAPS-C4.0 fps2011
Nikon-D3100 front thumbnailNikon D3100
D40 vs D3100
14MPAPS-C3.0 fps2010
Nikon-D3000 front thumbnailNikon D3000
D40 vs D3000
10MPAPS-C3.0 fps2009
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Nikon-D5000 front thumbnailNikon D5000
D40 vs D5000
12MPAPS-C4.0 fps2009
Nikon-D60 front thumbnailNikon D60
D40 vs D60
10MPAPS-C3.0 fps2008
Nikon-D40X front thumbnailNikon D40X
D40 vs D40X
10MPAPS-C3.0 fps2007
Nikon-D40 front thumbnailNikon D406MPAPS-C3.0 fps2006

Nikon D40 Pros and Cons

Below is a selection of pros and cons of the Nikon D40 based on features which are often viewed as essential in a camera.

above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
comes with phase detect AF
flash built-in
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (6 megapixels)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
missing external microphone support
missing HDMI out
missing headphone support
missing Timelapse function
no liveview
no video recording
pixelated screen (230 thousand dots)
screen does not articulate
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
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Nikon D40 Sensor info

The sensor spec in the Nikon D40 is 23.7mm x 15.5mm (APS-C). The 367 mm² sensor is able to resolve 3008 x 2000 pixels at aspect ratios of 3:2.

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The CCD sensor has 6 megapixels and supports a native ISO range of 200 - 1600. This ISO can be extended digitally to a high of 3200. RAW files are supported which means that you have wider room to maneuver in post.

The image underneath shows the D40's sensor dimensions compared to other common sizes. The D40 sensor has a crop factor of 1.5 and is presented in green.

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To get a sense of specific aspect ratios, you can refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Nikon D40 dimensions

Nikon D40 weighs around 1.15 lbs (522 grams / 18.41 oz) & the sizing of the camera is 124mm x 94mm x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5"). The weight of normal Entry-Level DSLR camera is 540 grams so the Nikon D40 is on par when compared to other rivals.

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Down below is a image of the Nikon D40 next to a soda so you can get a feel for its scale.

Nikon D40 dimensions scale

The top view under will provide the button arrangement on the D40.

Nikon D40 topview buttons dials

Nikon D40 Lens info

The D40 works with the Nikon F mount and has 315 lenses currently available. Below is some of the lenses we have in our database which will work with the D40.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-18-35mm-f3.5-4.5G-ED lensNikon AF-S Nikkor 18-35mm f3.5-4.5G ED18-35mmf/3.5-4.5 385g
Sigma-18-200mm-F3.5-6.3-DC-Macro-OS-HSM-C-Nikon-F-DX lensSigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM C18-200mmf/3.5-6.3 430g
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Tamron-SP-AF-70-200mm-F2.8-Di-LD-IF-MACRO-Nikon-F-FX lensTamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD IF MACRO70-200mmf/2.8 1330g
Sigma-24-35mm-F2-DG-HSM-A-Nikon-F-FX lensSigma 24-35mm F2 DG HSM A24-35mmf/2.0 941g
Tamron-AF-18-270mm-F3.5-6.3-Di-II-VC-LD-Aspherical-IF-MACRO-Nikon-F-DX lensTamron AF 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical IF MACRO18-270mmf/3.5-6.3 560g
Nikon-AF-S-DX-Nikkor-16-80mm-F2.8-4E-ED-VR lensNikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm F2.8-4E ED VR16-80mmf/2.8-4.0 480g
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Nikon-AF-S-DX-Nikkor-18-135mm-f3.5-5.6G-ED-IF lensNikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-135mm f3.5-5.6G ED-IF18-135mmf/3.5-5.6 385g
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Nikon D40 Connectivity

The D40 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Cameras that consist of NFC and / or Bluetooth connectivity can easily be used wirelessly through smartphones. You will be able to transfer photos and sometimes alter camera settings with no need to connect straight to the camera.

Some applications even provide a Liveview and click the shutter whenever you aren't close to the camera. If the camera features a HDMI port, it could be connected to an external monitor. Almost all cameras enable you to charge the battery through the USB socket.

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Nikon D40 Video info

Nikon D40 doesn't take video. In case you are wanting a camera to take only images, this is not a concern.

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Nikon D40 Weather Sealing

There is no weather proofing for the Nikon D40 so you need to be cautious in wet or dusty situations.

Nikon D40 Display and Viewfinder

The Nikon D40 houses a 2.5 inch fixed display screen boasting a resolution of 230 thousand dots.

Please note that the display has no touch support.

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The View Finder specifications for Nikon D40 are the following:

  • ViewFinder Optical (pentamirror)
  • ViewFinder Coverage 95%
  • ViewFinder Magnification 0.53x

For sunny outdoor situations which make the camera screens washed out and hard to see, viewfinders are very helpful.

Nikon D40 Shutter info

Nikon D40 is able to shoot continuously at 3.0 frames/s. The max shutter speed is 1/4000 seconds.

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Nikon D40 Flash and Hot shoe info

Nikon D40 features both inbuilt flash together with external flash ability. The maximum flash sync is 1/500 seconds.

Nikon D40 Autofocusing info

Nikon D40 features both Phase Detect AF plus Contrast Detect AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is more snappier & accurate when compared with Contrast Detect autofocusing.

Nikon D40 has got manual focus in case it is required for low light or you need to have more accurate focus control.

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Nikon D40 Battery life

The general Entry-Level DSLR camera battery life is 589. Pentax K-x features the highest possible (1900) battery life for this class of cameras.

Listed below is a number of Entry-Level DSLR cameras that come with the highest battery life:

Nikon D40 for various types of photography

The following illustration presents a analysis of the Nikon D40 for various types of photography. To check out more, scroll to the specific paragraph underneath.

Nikon D40 Portrait photography features

The Nikon D40 gets a points total of 53 which is average, meaning that it is fairly suitable to use for portrait images. Photographing portrait images favors heavily to sensor resolution, RAW support & ability to utilize external flash.

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has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)

Nikon D40 Street photography highlights

With a average rating of 58, the Nikon D40 is relatively acceptable for street photography. A good street photography camera comes with a good balance of picture quality and portability.

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decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization

Nikon D40 Sports photography features

A awful sports photography points total of 39 means the Nikon D40 is simply not acceptable for taking pictures of sports. A camera should have good tracking plus fast continuous shooting for sports photography.

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sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)

Travel photography with Nikon D40

Size is really crucial when selecting a camera for travel. On the whole, the Nikon D40 gets a average 47 as a travelling camera which is relatively suited to purchase for your trips.

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has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (6MP)
screen is not selfie friendly

Nikon D40 Landscape photography features

For anyone who is planning to pick a camera for landscape pictures, the most essential aspect will be image quality. The Nikon D40 with it's decent rating of 47 as a landscape camera is somewhat appropriate amongst its competition.

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has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode

Vlogging with Nikon D40

A camera for vlogging should really have a moving screen, microphone port and ideally image stabilization. Considering every thing, the Nikon D40 is simply not acceptable for vlogging as it receives a awful rating of 9.

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no video

Nikon D40 Alternatives

If you are searching for alternatives to the D40, here is a list of the top ranked cameras that fall into the category of Entry-Level DSLR.

The chart here provides you a bird's eye view of the D40 compared to it's top ranked competitors mentioned above.

There are a bunch of cameras you may consider as alternative options. To browse through a extensive comparison, just click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Nikon
Model
Nikon D40
Class
Entry-Level DSLR
Launched
2006-12-21
Physical type
Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
APS-C
Sensor measurements
23.7 x 15.5mm
Sensor area
367.4mm²
Sensor resolution
6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
3:2
Full resolution
3008 x 2000
RAW files
Max native ISO
1600
Max boosted ISO
3200
Lowest native ISO
200
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens mounting type
Nikon F
Amount of lenses
309
Crop factor
1.5
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display diagonal
2.5 inch
Display resolution
230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage
95%
Viewfinder magnification
0.53x
DXO scores
DXO All around score
56
DXO Color Depth score
21.0
DXO Dynamic range score
11.0
DXO Low light score
561
Features
Slowest shutter speed
30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed
1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate
3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation
Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range
17.00 m
Flash options
Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize
1/500 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution
None
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
522 gr (1.15 pounds)
Physical dimensions
124 x 94 x 64mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.5")
Other
Battery model
EN-EL9
Self timer
Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage
SD/SDHC card
Card slots
One
Retail pricing
$500