• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 6.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon D40 advantages over Nikon D7000

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.88 vs 4.79 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D7000 advantages over Nikon D40

  • Better color depth
    23.5 vs 20.9 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,167 vs 561 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 11.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1050 vs 470 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • 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
    16.2 vs 6.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    39 vs 3
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Better than average noise vs. detail handling at high ISOs; Very good dynamic range in JPEGs, excellent in RAW files; Lots of high-end features in a relatively compact body; 6 fps burst mode.

  • Viewfinder not as accurate as specified; Viewfinder doesn't show ISO unless adjusting; No live histogram in Live View mode; No phase-detect Live View AF mode.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 60D

Nikon D40
Canon 60D
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D7000
Canon 60D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon T3i

Nikon D40
Canon T3i
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D7000
Canon T3i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-30

Nikon D40
Pentax K-30
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D7000
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Canon T4i

Nikon D40
Canon T4i
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D7000
Canon T4i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D40
Pentax K-5 II
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Better color depth
Nikon D7000
Pentax K-5 II
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
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