Nikon D40 vs Canon EOS 1Ds

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D40 and Canon EOS 1Ds. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D40 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 1Ds is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D40 were released 2006 and Canon EOS 1Ds was released 2002. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D40 2006
Canon EOS 1Ds 2002

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D40 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 1Ds has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 D40 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 1Ds 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D40 has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1Ds has 11 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D40 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000
Canon EOS 1Ds 11 MP
10989056 pixels
4064 x 2704

Canon EOS 1Ds has a 83 % 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 1Ds. Nikon D40 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 3200 while Canon EOS 1Ds has 50 to 1250.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D40 200-3200
Canon EOS 1Ds 50-1250

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 1Ds 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 Nikon D40
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1Ds

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D40 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1Ds can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D40 2,5
Canon EOS 1Ds 3

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Nikon D40 or Canon EOS 1Ds 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 1Ds weighs 1585 gr (equal to 3.49 lb) which is 204% heavier than Nikon D40 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D40 522 gr
1.15 lb
Canon EOS 1Ds 1585 gr
3.49 lb

Nikon D40 vs Canon EOS 1Ds Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D40 and Canon EOS 1Ds, 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 D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
Name Nikon D40 Canon EOS 1Ds
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
Release Year 2006 2002
Release Date 2006-11-16 2002-09-24
MSRP 729 USD 7499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 3008 x 2000 pixels 4064 x 2704 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 11 MP
Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC
Image
Nikon D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
ISO Range 200 - 3200 50 - 1250
White Balance Presets 6 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 3 45
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2,5” 2”
Screen dots 230000 120000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
Frames per second 2,5 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 17 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
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 D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
Yes (N3 connector, Remote switch RS-60 E3)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D40
Canon EOS 1Ds
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots N/A
Width 124 mm 156 mm
Height 94 mm 158 mm
Depth 64 mm 80 mm
Weight 522 gram 1585 gram