• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 6.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon D40 advantages over Nikon D3200

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.88 vs 3.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots

Nikon D3200 advantages over Nikon D40

  • Better color depth
    24.1 vs 20.9 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,131 vs 561 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.2 vs 11.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    12 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 6.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    11 vs 3
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • High resolution allows cropping; Good performance in low light; Compact and comfortable, highly portable; Fast and responsive, just begs to take pictures; Quiet shutter is great for candids.

  • Mediocre kit lens; Might be too small for some; No bracketing; Narrow flash coverage; Matrix metering tends to overexpose.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D40
Sony A65
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D3200
Sony A65
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D5200

Nikon D40
Nikon D5200
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Better color depth
Nikon D3200
Nikon D5200
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D40
Sony A58
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D3200
Sony A58
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon T5i

Nikon D40
Canon T5i
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D3200
Canon T5i
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Better color depth
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon D3300

Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Better color depth
Nikon D3200
Nikon D3300
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
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