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Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D40

Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Camera summary

The Nikon D3000, made by Nikon, is a powerful Compact SLR camera. Announced on Dec. 11, 2009. This camera has a Max Boosted ISO of 3200. Most modern cameras have higher values of ISO, this camera probably won't have the best performance in low light conditions.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
2.7 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
3.3 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
3.6 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.5 out of 5 stars
Average Score
2.5 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Nikon D40, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Nikon D40

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Nikon D3100, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Nikon D3100

Sensor

This camera has a CCD sensor with a 10 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 11 focus points.

Connectivity

Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

EN-EL9a

The battery of this camera can last up to 500 shots per charge with the included EN-EL9a battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Nikon D40

Nikon D40

Camera summary

The Nikon D40, made by Nikon, is a powerful Compact SLR camera. Announced on Dec. 21, 2006. This camera has a Max Boosted ISO of 3200. Most modern cameras have higher values of ISO, this camera probably won't have the best performance in low light conditions.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
2.7 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
1.7 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
0.0 out of 5 stars
Photography features
3.6 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.0 out of 5 stars
Average Score
1.6 out of 5 stars

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Nikon D3000, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Nikon D3000

Sensor

This camera has a CCD sensor with a 6 Megapixels resolution.

Connectivity

Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Autofocus specs

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
Af center
No
Yes
Af continuous
Yes
Yes
Af Contrast Detection
Yes
No
Af Face detection
No
No
Af live view
No
No
Af multi area
Yes
Yes
Af phase detection
Yes
Yes
Af selective
Yes
Yes
Af single
Yes
Yes
Af touch
No
No
Af tracking
No
No
Number of cross focus points - -
Number of focus points 11 -

Connectivity

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
HDMI
No
No
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless connectivity Eye-Fi Connected -
DXO color depth 22.3 21.0
DXO dynamic range 11.1 11.0
DXO low light ISO 563.0 561.0
DXO overall score 62.0 56.0

Exposure mode

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
AF area
No
No
average
No
No
Center weighted
Yes
No
Multi segment
Yes
No
partial
No
No
spot
Yes
No

General

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
AKA - -
announced Dec. 11, 2009 Dec. 21, 2006
Body type Compact SLR Compact SLR
brand Nikon Nikon
msrp $0.00 $139.95
model Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
Predecessor model Nikon D40
Successor model Nikon D3100 Nikon D3000

Lense

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
Focal length multiplier 1.5x 1.5�
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Manual focus
Yes
Yes
Macro focus range - -
Number of lenses 316 316

Other features

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
GPS - -
Self-timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Storage slots 1 1
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card
Timelapse recording
No
No

Photography features

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
AE bracketing
No
No
Aperture priority
Yes
Yes
Built-in flash
Yes
Yes
Custom white balance
Yes
Yes
Exposure compensation
Yes
Yes
External flash
Yes
Yes
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 17.00 m
Image stabilization
No
No
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Yes
Max continuous shooting 3.0 fps 3.0 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Minimum shutter speed 30 30
Shutter priority
Yes
Yes
WB bracketing
Yes
No

Physical

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
Battery life 500 shots 0 shots
Battery model EN-EL9a EN-EL9
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Crush proof
No
No
Dust proof
No
No
Environmental sealing
No
No
Freeze proof
No
No
Physical dimensions 126 x 97 x 64mm 124 x 94 x 64mm
Shock proof
No
No
Water proof
No
No
Weight 536 grs 522 grs

Screen

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
Live view
No
No
Screen resolution 230 230
Screen size - -
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Touch screen
No
No

Sensor

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
Max boosted ISO 3200 3200
Max image resolution 3872 x 2592 3008 x 2000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Yes
Yes
Sensor area - -
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8 mm 23.7 x 15.5 mm
Sensor resolution 10 6
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor type CCD CCD

Headphone port

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
Headphone port
No
No
Max video resolution - -
Microphone port
No
No
Video formats - -
Video resolutions - -

Viewfinder

Nikon D3000 Nikon D40
viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
viewfinder coverage - -
viewfinder magnification - -
viewfinder resolution no electronic viewfinder no electronic viewfinder