Nikon D300 vs Canon EOS 40D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D300 and Canon EOS 40D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D300 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 40D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D300 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 40D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D300 has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 40D has 10,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Nikon D300 has a 21 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 40D. 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 D300 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 40D. Nikon D300 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Canon EOS 40D has 100 to 3200.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D300
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 40D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 40D can shoot up to 6,5 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Nikon D300 or Canon EOS 40D 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.

Nikon D300 weighs 925 gr (equal to 2.04 lb) which is 13% heavier than Canon EOS 40D and its 822 gr (or 1.81 lb).

Nikon D300 vs Canon EOS 40D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D300 and Canon EOS 40D, 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	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
Name	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
Manufacturer	Nikon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
Release Year	2006	2007
Release Date	2007-08-23	2007-08-20
MSRP	1799 USD	1299 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"	APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4288 x 2848 pixels	3888 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels	12,3 MP	10,1 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED	DIGIC 3
Image	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
ISO Range	200 - 6400	100 - 3200
White Balance Presets	12	6
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	No	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW + TIFF	RAW
Optics & Focus	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
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	51	9
Lens Mount	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses	Canon EF Canon EF-S See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	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	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
Screen & Viewfinder	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	3”	3”
Screen dots	922000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle	N/A
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentaprism)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	100%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)	0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
Frames per second	6 fps	6,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/8000 seconds	1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash	Yes	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	12 meters	12 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	Yes	Yes
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Average	Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
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	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
Memory Card	Compact Flash	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
HDMI Output	Yes	No
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	No	No
Remote Control	Yes (Optional)	Yes (N3 connector)
GPS	Yes Optional through GP-1	No
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D300	Canon EOS 40D
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger	Litium-Ion (Li-Ion) BP-511
Battery Life (CIPA)	1000 shots	800 shots
Width	147 mm	146 mm
Height	114 mm	108 mm
Depth	74 mm	74 mm
Weight	925 gram	822 gram