Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 40D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS 40D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D3100 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 40D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3100 were released 2010 and Canon EOS 40D was released 2007. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3100 2010
Canon EOS 40D 2007

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3100 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.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 40D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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 D3100 has a 14,2 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:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D3100 14,2 MP
14155776 pixels
4608 x 3072
Canon EOS 40D 10,1 MP
10077696 pixels
3888 x 2592

Nikon D3100 has a 40 % 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 D3100 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 40D. Nikon D3100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS 40D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3100 100-12800
Canon EOS 40D 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 40D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3100 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 Nikon D3100
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 D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 40D can shoot up to 6,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3100 3
Canon EOS 40D 6,5

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 Nikon D3100. Unfortunately Canon EOS 40D 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 40D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 63% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3100 505 gr
1.11 lb
Canon EOS 40D 822 gr
1.81 lb

Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 40D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3100 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 D3100
Canon EOS 40D
Name Nikon D3100 Canon EOS 40D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 40D
Release Year 2010 2007
Release Date 2010-08-19 2007-08-20
MSRP 699 USD 1299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 40D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3100
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 4608 x 3072 pixels 3888 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 14,2 MP 10,1 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 2 DIGIC 3
Image
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 40D
ISO Range 100 - 12800 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 RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 40D
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 11 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 D3100
Canon EOS 40D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD monitor N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 40D
Frames per second 3 fps 6,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 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 No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 40D
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 40D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 40D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Optional
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 40D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Litium-Ion (Li-Ion) BP-511
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 800 shots
Width 124 mm 146 mm
Height 96 mm 108 mm
Depth 75 mm 74 mm
Weight 505 gram 822 gram