Canon EOS 6D vs Nikon D40
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 6D and Nikon D40. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS 6D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D40 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS 6D were released 2012 and Nikon D40 was released 2006. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Canon EOS 6D | 2012 |
Nikon D40 | 2006 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 6D has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D40 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Canon EOS 6D | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon D40 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Canon EOS 6D has a 20,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D40 has 6 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Canon EOS 6D |
20,2 MP
19961856 pixels 5472 x 3648 |
Nikon D40 |
6 MP
6016000 pixels 3008 x 2000 |
Canon EOS 6D has a 232 % larger resolution than Nikon D40. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Canon EOS 6D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40. Canon EOS 6D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D40 has 200 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Canon EOS 6D | 100-25600 |
Nikon D40 | 200-3200 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 6D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D40 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D40 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 6D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D40
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 6D can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D40 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Canon EOS 6D | 4,5 |
Nikon D40 | 2,5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS 6D. Unfortunately Nikon D40 does not support recording movies and movie clips.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Canon EOS 6D weighs 770 gr (equal to 1.7 lb) which is 48% heavier than Nikon D40 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Canon EOS 6D | 770 gr 1.7 lb |
Nikon D40 | 522 gr 1.15 lb |
Canon EOS 6D vs Nikon D40 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 6D and Nikon D40, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
Name | Canon EOS 6D | Nikon D40 |
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
Release Year | 2012 | 2006 |
Release Date | 2012-09-17 | 2006-11-16 |
MSRP | 2099 USD | 729 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CCD |
Resolution | 5472 x 3648 pixels | 3008 x 2000 pixels |
Megapixels | 20,2 MP | 6 MP |
Image Processor | DIGIC 5+ | EXPEED |
Image |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 200 - 3200 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No | No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Focus Points | 11 | 3 |
Lens Mount |
Canon EF See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 2,5” |
Screen dots | 1040000 | 230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | Clear View II TFT LCD | N/A |
Live view | Yes | No |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 97% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71× | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
Frames per second | 4,5 fps | 2,5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 17 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | Yes | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
Video recording | Yes | No |
Video format |
H.264 |
N/A |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
N/A |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
HDMI Output | Yes | No |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in |
No |
Remote Control |
Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
|
Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
|
GPS |
Yes Built-in, Image tagging and tracking modes |
No |
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS 6D |
Nikon D40 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 1090 shots | 470 shots |
Width | 145 mm | 124 mm |
Height | 111 mm | 94 mm |
Depth | 71 mm | 64 mm |
Weight | 770 gram | 522 gram |