Filed Under (News) by spatznick on November-22-2006

Nikon D40 official specs are out now; I was curious myself to see how the tiny D40 compares to its older and more experienced colleagues, so I put together a chart showing the four cameras already mentioned. The D40 is not available yet, so no image samples, impressions and conclusions yet -just pure numbers!

Nikon D80: click for details Nikon D70s: click for details Nikon D50: click for details Nikon D40: click for details
D80 D70 D50 D40
Image Sensor 10.2 million pixelsDX Format RGB CCD
23.6 x 15.8mm
6.1 million pixelsDX Format RGB CCD
23.7 x 15.6mm
6.1 million pixelsDX Format RGB CCD
23.7 x 15.6mm
6.1 million pixelsDX Format RGB CCD
23.7 x 15.6mm
Image Size (pixels) 3,872 x 2,592 [L]
2,896 x 1,944 [M]
1,936 x 1,296 [S]
3,008 x 2,000 [L]
2,240 x 1,488 [M]
1,504 x 1,000 [S]
3,008 x 2,000 [L]
2,256 x 1,496 [M]
1,504 x 1,000 [S]
3,008 x 2,000 [L]
2,256 x 1,496 [M]
1,504 x 1,000 [S]
ISO Sensitivity 100 to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1/3 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.7 and HI-1 200 to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1/3 EV 200 to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1 EV 200 to 1,600 in steps of 1 EV with additional setting one step over 1600
Storage Media SD memory card CF memory card SD memory card SD memory card, SDHC compliant
File types 1) JPEG- 3 levels
– Fine (1:4)
– Normal (1:8)
– Basic (1:16)
2) NEF (RAW)
1) JPEG- 3 levels
– Fine (1:4)
– Normal (1:8)
– Basic (1:16)
2) NEF (RAW)
1) JPEG- 3 levels
– Fine (1:4)
– Normal (1:8)
– Basic (1:16)
2) NEF (RAW)
1) JPEG- 3 levels
– Fine (1:4)
– Normal (1:8)
– Basic (1:16)
2) NEF (RAW)
White Balance 1) Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor)
2) Six (6) manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature setting (Kelvin),
3) Preset white balance
4) White balance bracketing
1) Auto (TTL white balance with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor)
2) Six (6) manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature setting (Kelvin),
3) Preset white balance4) White balance bracketing
1) Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor)
2) Six (6) manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature setting (Kelvin),
3) Preset white balance4) White balance bracketing
1) Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor)
2) Six (6) manual modes with fine-tuning
3) Preset white balance
LCD Monitor 2.5-in., 230,000-dot, low temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment allows up to 170-degree wide-angle viewing. 2.0-in., 130,000-dot, lowtemperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment 2.0-in., 130,000-dot, lowtemperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment 2.5-in., 230,000-dot, low temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Playback Function 1) Full frame
2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments)
3) Zoom
4) Slideshow (Standard or Pictmotion)
5) RGB histogram indication
6) Shooting data
7) Highlight point display
8) Auto image rotation
1) Full frame
2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments)
3) Zoom
4) Slideshow (Standard or Pictmotion)
5) RGB histogram indication
6) Shooting data
7) Highlight point display
8) Auto image rotation
1) Full frame
2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments)
3) Zoom
4) Slideshow (Standard or Pictmotion)
5) RGB histogram indication
6) Shooting data
7) Highlight point display
8) Auto image rotation
1) Full frame
2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments)
3) Zoom
4) Slideshow (Standard or Pictmotion)
5) RGB histogram indication
6) Shooting data
7) Highlight point display
8) Auto image rotation
Interface/ Connectivity USB 2.0 (Hi-speed) (mini-B connector) USB 2.0 (Full-speed) (mini-B connector) USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) (mini-B connector) USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) (mini-B connector) and PTP selectable
Text Input Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input
Compatible Lenses All functions possible with all AF Nikkor lenses (including AF-S, DX, VR and D-/G-type) All functions possible with all AF Nikkor lenses (including AF-S, DX, VR and D-/G-type) All functions possible with all AF Nikkor lenses (including AF-S, DX, VR and D-/G-type) All functions possible with all AF Nikkor lenses (including AF-S, DX, VR and D-/G-type)
Viewfinder Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-2.0 to +1.0m-1) Fixed eye-level penta-Dach mirror type; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.6 to +0.5m-1) Fixed eye-level penta-Dach mirror type; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.6 to +0.5m-1) Fixed eye-level penta-Dach mirror type; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.7 to +0.5m-1)
Viewfinder Frame Coverage Approx. 95% Approx. 95% Approx. 95% Approx. 95%
Viewfinder Magnification Approx. 0.94x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0m-1 Approx. 0.75x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0m-1 Approx. 0.75x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0m-1 Approx. 0.80x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0m-1
Viewfinder Accessories 1) DR-6 Angle Finder
2) Eyepiece correction lenses (-5 to +3m-1)
3) DK-21M Eyepiece Magnifier
1) DR-6 Angle Finder
2) Eyepiece correction lenses (-5 to +3m-1)
3) DG-2 Eyepiece Magnifier
1) DR-6 Angle Finder
2) Eyepiece correction lenses (-5 to +3m-1)
3) DG-2 Eyepiece Magnifier
 
Focusing Screen Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II with superimposed focus brackets and On-Demand grid lines Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets and On-Demand grid lines Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets Type B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets
Optional Focusing Screens No No No No
Autofocus System TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 900 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 900 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 530 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator (range approximately 1ft. 8in.-9ft. 10in.); Detection range: -1 to +19 EV
AF Lens Servo 1) Single Servo AF [S]
2) Continuous servo AF [C]
3) AF-A (auto AF-S/AF-C selection)
4) M: Manual
5) Predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject’s status
1) Single Servo AF [S]
2) AF-C: Continuous servo AF [C]
3) Manual [M]4) Predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject’s status
1) Single Servo AF [S]
2) Continuous servo AF [C]
3) AF-A: auto AF-S/AF-C selection
4) Manual M
1) Autofocus (AF): Instant single-servo AF (AF-S);
2) Continuous servo AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A);
3) Predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status
4) Manual focus (M)
Focus Area/Sensors 11 focus areas; any single area can be selected; center focus area can be switched from normal to wide-frame operation 5 focus areas: any single area can be selected 5 focus areas: any single area can be selected 3 focus areas: any single area can be selected
AF Area Mode 1) Single Area AF
2) Dynamic Area AF
3) Auto-area AF
1) Single Area AF
2) Dynamic Area AF
1) Single Area AF
2) Dynamic Area AF
3) Dynamic-area AF with closest subject priority
1) Single Area AF
2) Dynamic Area AF
3) Dynamic-area AF with closest subject priority
Exposure Metering System 1) 420-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II
2) Variable Center-weighted
3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm diameter circle (approx. 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area
1) 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering
2) Variable Center-weighted
3) Spot: Meters 2.3mm diameter circle (approx. 1.0% of frame) centered on active focus area
1) 420-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II
2) Variable Center-weighted
3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm diameter circle (approx. 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor
2) Center-weighted:Weight of 75% given to 8mm circle in center of frame
3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area
Exposure Metering Range 1) EV 0 to 20 (3D Color Matrix or Center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering)
1) EV 0 to 20 (3D Color Matrix or Center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering)
1) EV 0 to 20 (3D Color Matrix or Center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering)
1) 0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering),
2) 2 to 20 EV (spot metering)
Exposure Modes 1) 7 Digital Vari-Programs
2) Programmed Auto with flexible program
3) Shutter-Priority Auto
4) Aperture Priority Auto
5) Manual
1) 7 Digital Vari-Programs
2) Programmed Auto with flexible program
3) Shutter-Priority Auto
4) Aperture Priority Auto
5) Manual
1) 7 Digital Vari-Programs
2) Programmed Auto with flexible program
3) Shutter-Priority Auto
4) Aperture Priority Auto
5) Manual
1) 8 Digital Vari-Programs
2) Programmed Auto with flexible program
3) Shutter-Priority Auto
4) Aperture Priority Auto
5) Manual
Exposure Compensation ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Auto Exposure Lock Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AFL button Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AFL button Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AFL button Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
Auto Exposure Bracketing 2 to 3 exposures in increments between 1/3 to 2.0 EV (±2 EV) 2 to 3 exposures in increments between 1/3 to 2.0 EV (±2 EV) 3 exposures in increments between 1/3 to 2.0 EV (±2 EV) None
Top Framing Rate 3 frames per second up to 3 frames per second up to 2.5 frames per second 2.5 frames per second
Shutter type Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter
Shutter Speed Range 30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb 30 to 1/8000 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb 30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb 30 to 1/4000 sec (1/3 EV steps), bulb
High IS0 Noise Reduction 1) Low
2) Normal
3) High
No No No
Long Exposure Noise
Reduction
Yes Yes Yes No
Retouch Menu 1) D-lighting,
2) Red-eye Correction
3) Image Trimming
4) Monochrome
5) Filter Effects
6) Image Overlay
No No No
Recent Settings No No No No
Flash Modes 1) i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash
2) Auto Aperture
3) Non-TTL Auto
1) i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash
2) Auto Aperture
3) Non-TTL Auto
1) i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash
2) Auto Aperture
3) Non-TTL Auto
1) i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash
2) Auto Aperture
3) Non-TTL Auto
4) Range-priority manual available with SB-800
Flash Sync Modes 1) Auto
2) Fill-in flash
3) Red-eye Reduction
4) Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync,
5) Slow Sync
6) Rear-curtain Sync
7) Off
1) Auto
2) Fill-in flash
3) Red-eye Reduction
4) Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync,
5) Slow Sync
6) Rear-curtain Sync
7) Off
1) Auto
2) Fill-in flash
3) Red-eye Reduction
4) Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync,
5) Slow Sync
6) Rear-curtain Sync
7) Off
1) Auto
2) Fill-in flash
3) Red-eye Reduction
4) Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync,
5) Slow Sync
6) Rear-curtain Sync
7) Off
Top Flash Sync TTL 1/200th sec. 1/500th sec. 1/500th sec. 1/500th sec.
Auto FP High-Speed flash sync 1/4,000th sec. No No No
Built-in Flash 1) Auto flash with auto pop-up
2) Manual pop-up with button release
1) Auto flash with auto pop-up
2) Manual pop-up with button release
1) Auto flash with auto pop-up
2) Manual pop-up with button release
1) Auto flash with auto pop-up
2) Manual pop-up with button release
Built-in Flash Guide Number Approx. 42 ft rated at 100 ISO value Approx. 36 ft rated at 100 ISO value Approx. 36 ft rated at 100 ISO value Guide number approx. 17 at ISO 200
Flash Compensation -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3EV
Flash Bracketing 2 to 3 exposures in increments between 1/3 to 2.0 EV 2 to 3 exposures in increments between 1/3 to 2.0 EV 2 to 3 exposures in increments between 1/3 to 2.0 EV No
Built-in Flash/Commander Mode Two-Group Wireless Commander with SB-800, SB-600 and SB-R200 Speedlights Wireless Commander with SB-800, SB-600 and SB-R200 Speedlights (A group only) No Commander Option  
Self-timer 2 to 20 seconds 2 to 20 seconds 2 to 20 seconds 2, 5, 10 or 20 sec
Depth of field preview Functional with CPU equipped Nikkor lenses in P, S, A and M mode Functional with CPU equipped Nikkor lenses in P, S, A and M mode No No
Remote Control Remote via USB (mini B) Connection
ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control (optional)
Remote via USB (mini B) connection
ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control (optional)
Via ML-L3 Wireless Remote Controller (optional) Remote Control ML-L3 (optional, Infrared)
Power Source (included) EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
Images per battery charge Up to 2700 Up to 2500 Up to 2500
Battery Grip(s) Optional MB-D80 Battery pack accepts one or two rechargeable Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion batteries or Six AA alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese (ZR6) AA batteries No No No
Optional AC Power Supply EH-5 AC Adapter EH-5 AC Adapter EH-5 AC Adapter EH-5 AC Adapter
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx: 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in. Approx: 5.5 x 4.4 x 3.1 in. Approx. 5.2 x 4.0 x 3.0in. Approx. 5.0 x 2.5 x 3.7 in.
Weight 1 lb. 5 oz Without battery, memory card or monitor cover. 1 lb. 6 oz Without battery, memory card or monitor cover. 1 lb. 3 oz Without battery, memory card or monitor cover. Approx. 1lb. 1oz. without battery, memory card or body cap
WiFi Functionality No No No No



9 Comments posted on "Nikon D80 vs D70s vs D50 vs D40"
DM on January 15th, 2007 at 6:25 am #

nice to have all this cameras side by side

jeff on January 21st, 2007 at 2:55 pm #

A Nikon DX VR 18-200 mm F3.5-5.6G Zoom would satisfy all your needs. This might be the only lens you need, this why is in such a huge demand.

[...] Also, see this article that I put together last November, shotly after the D40 was released, comparing the D80 with D70s, D50 and D40, the current lineup at that time.  [...]

Anonymous on May 12th, 2007 at 10:51 am #

Type your comment here.realy confusing

Chisb on June 17th, 2007 at 7:04 pm #

Nikon D80 is the top among those Nikon cameras, with the highest price.
Color and tone of D40 is a little bit brilliant than D50 (similar with D80), but problem with autofocus with non AFS Nikon lens.
D70 is powerful, but we have to set custom curve on camera (or post processing on every pictures) to get a brighter tone.

KR on June 29th, 2007 at 3:37 am #
MikeK on October 23rd, 2007 at 6:56 am #

Nice and thorough comparison chart. The Retouch menu row seems to be incorrect, the D40 has the retouch features listed under the D80. For reference, see page 89 of the D40 online version of the user’s manual.

Thanks again for the comprehensive list!

minamito on March 29th, 2008 at 7:42 pm #
CSM on June 27th, 2008 at 5:45 pm #

Is there any data/specs on the overall speed of the D40 autofocus (in lens) vs. the D80 (in camera).

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