Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3100 and Nikon D40. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

** 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)

Resolution

Nikon D3100 has a 14,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D40 has 6 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Nikon D3100 has a 135 % 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 D3100 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40. Nikon D3100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D40 has 200 to 3200.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Neither of these two cameras has a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that supports autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own, and often they rely on the cameras providing this autofocus motor but since these two camera models do not have this either it will result in no autofocus is possible.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3100
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. Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D40 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

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 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.

Nikon D40 weighs 522 gr (equal to 1.15 lb) which is 3% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D40 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3100 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	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
Name	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
Manufacturer	Nikon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
Release Year	2010	2006
Release Date	2010-08-19	2006-11-16
MSRP	699 USD	729 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type	CMOS	CCD
Resolution	4608 x 3072 pixels	3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels	14,2 MP	6 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 2	EXPEED
Image	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
ISO Range	100 - 12800	200 - 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	Nikon D40
Autofocus Motor	No	No
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	3
Lens Mount	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses	Nikon F 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	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	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	3”	2,5”
Screen dots	230000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	TFT LCD monitor	N/A
Live view	Yes	No
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentamirror)	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage	95%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)	0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
Frames per second	3 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	12 meters	17 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	No	Yes
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Average	Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
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	Nikon D40
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
HDMI Output	Yes	No
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Eye-Fi Connected	No
Remote Control	Optional	Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS	Yes Optional	No
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D3100	Nikon D40
Enviromentally sealed	No	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger	Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA)	N/A	470 shots
Width	124 mm	124 mm
Height	96 mm	94 mm
Depth	75 mm	64 mm
Weight	505 gram	522 gram