Canon EOS Rebel XSi vs Nikon D40

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS Rebel XSi and Nikon D40. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS Rebel XSi is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D40 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi were released 2008 and Nikon D40 was released 2006. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 2008
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 Rebel XSi has a "Canon APS-C"-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 Rebel XSi 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
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 Rebel XSi has a 12,2 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 Rebel XSi 12,2 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Nikon D40 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a 102 % 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

Nikon D40 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Nikon D40 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 3200 while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 100-1600
Nikon D40 200-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS Rebel XSi 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 Rebel XSi
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 Rebel XSi can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D40 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 3,5
Nikon D40 2,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Canon EOS Rebel XSi or Nikon D40 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

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 Rebel XSi weighs 524 gr (equal to 1.16 lb) which is 0% heavier than Nikon D40 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS Rebel XSi 524 gr
1.16 lb
Nikon D40 522 gr
1.15 lb

Canon EOS Rebel XSi vs Nikon D40 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS Rebel XSi 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 Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
Name Canon EOS Rebel XSi Nikon D40
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
Release Year 2008 2006
Release Date 2008-01-24 2006-11-16
MSRP 799 USD 729 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 12,2 MP 6 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 3 EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
ISO Range 100 - 1600 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 Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 9 3
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 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 Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 2,5”
Screen dots 230000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
Frames per second 3,5 fps 2,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters 17 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D40
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Battery Pack LP-E5
Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 600 shots 470 shots
Width 129 mm 124 mm
Height 98 mm 94 mm
Depth 62 mm 64 mm
Weight 524 gram 522 gram