Nikon D40X vs Sony DSLR-A300 Specifications

APS-C 372.9mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D40X Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D40X.

APS-C 369.7mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A300 Review.

Detailed specifications
Nikon D40X
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

Links
Prices:
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:	Nikon D50 D50 vs D40X
Successor:	Nikon D60 D40X vs D60
General
Model Number:	D40X	DSLR-A300
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	SLR	SLR
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$799.95	$800.00
Street Price:	$749.99	$562.64
Date Available:	2007-04-01	2008-04-15
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	17.0 oz (481 g)	20.5 oz (582 g)
Size:	5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 in. (126 x 94 x 64 mm)	5.1 x 3.9 x 2.9 in. (131 x 99 x 75 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CCD	CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:		Sony
Effective Megapixels:	10.2	10.2
Sensor Format:	APS-C	APS-C
Sensor size:	372.88mm² (23.60mm x 15.80mm)	369.72mm² (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	6.10 microns	6.12 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.5x	1.5x
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed	Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	No	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	No	Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:	63	64
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	22.4	22.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	11.4	11.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	516	538
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	3872 x 2592 (10.0 MP, Other), 2896 x 1944 (5.6 MP, Other), 1936 x 1296 (2.5 MP, Other)	3872 x 2592 (10.0 MP, Other), 3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9), 2896 x 1936 (5.6 MP, 3:2), 2896 x 1632 (4.7 MP, Other), 1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2), 1920 x 1088 (2.1 MP, Other)
Image File Format:	JPEG, RAW (.NEF)	JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, RAW+JPEG; (.ARW)
Continuous-mode frames/second:	3.0	3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies:	No	No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:
Composite Video Out:	Yes	Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	Yes	Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:	No	No
HD Video Out:
HD Video Connection:

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Nikon F	Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens:	Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX	Sony 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAL-1870
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	27 - 83mm	27 - 105mm
Focal Length (actual):	18 - 55mm	18 - 70mm
Zoom Ratio:	3.06x	3.88x
Aperture Range:	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T)	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	28 cm to Infinity 11.0 in to Infinity	38 cm to Infinity 15.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:
Filter Thread:	52.0mm	55.0mm
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	No
Digital Zoom:	No	No
Digital Zoom Values:	n/a	n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Nikon Multi-CAM 530 3-Area Phase Detection, 1 cross-type, 2 line-type	9-point, center cross TTL phase detection with eye-start and "Quick AF" for Live View
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	Optical / LCD (playback only)	Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	SLR type, eye-level pentamirror, 95%, 0.8x, 18mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter	SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.74x magnification
Focus Peaking:	No	No
EVF Resolution:	n/a	n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):		0.49x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):		0.74x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	2.5	2.7
Rear Display Resolution:	230,000 dots	230,000 dots
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No
Selfie Screen:	No
Max Playback Zoom:	19.0x
Top Deck Display:	No	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	1600	3200
Minimum ISO (native):	100	100
ISO Settings:	Auto, 100 - 1600, Hi-1=3200	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature/Color Filter, Custom
Shutter Speed Range:	1/4000 - 30 sec	1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	3D color matrix metering II, color matrix metering II, center-weighted, spot	40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone metering in Live View mode)
Program Auto Exposure:	No	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:	portrait, landscape, child, sports, close up, night portrait, no flash	Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night view
Self Timer:	2 to 20 seconds	2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	Yes
Flash Modes:	Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync.	Built-in Auto Popup: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, Slow Sync, High Speed, Sync, Wireless off camera flash (with Flash HVL-F56AM, F36AM)
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	12.0 m / 39.4 ft.	12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description:	n/a	Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync:	1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation:	-3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	ISO hot shoe	Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:		Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	SD / SDHC	CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	Yes
Uncompressed Format:	RAW (.NEF)	RAW, RAW+JPEG; (.ARW)
Movie File Format:
Included Memory:	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:	No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	No	No
Headphone Jack:	No	No
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant:	Yes	Yes
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Optional ML-L3 wireless	Optional Wired
Connections (extended):	DC input

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	0.49
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	0.33
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):	6
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	3.0	3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	7	Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):	0.24 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):	0.25 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.179 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):	0.30 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.095 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):
Startup Time:	0.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:	5.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	520 shots	730 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary EN-EL9	Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium Ion rechargeable	Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary EN-EL9 Lithium Ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium Ion rechargeabl
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software:	PictureProject
OS Compatibility:	Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:		10MP version of the A350: Tilting 2.7" LCD with Live View; Quick AF during Live View (pentamirror Tilt mechanism directs light to a dedicated live view image sensor, enabling fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, even during live view.); Super SteadyShot IS; Anti-Dust; Dynamic Range Optimizer. $800 bundled with DT 18-70mm kit lens.