Nikon D40 vs Canon EOS 5D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D40 and Canon EOS 5D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D40 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5D 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 D40 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 5D 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.

** 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 5D has 12,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Canon EOS 5D has a 111 % 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

Canon EOS 5D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40. Canon EOS 5D has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 3200 while Nikon D40 has 200 to 3200.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 5D 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 5D

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 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Nikon D40 or Canon EOS 5D 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 5D weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 71% heavier than Nikon D40 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Nikon D40 vs Canon EOS 5D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D40 and Canon EOS 5D, 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 5D
Name	Nikon D40	Canon EOS 5D
Manufacturer	Nikon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D40	Canon EOS 5D
Release Year	2006	2005
Release Date	2006-11-16	2005-08-22
MSRP	729 USD	3299 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon D40	Canon EOS 5D
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon D40	Canon EOS 5D
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	4368 x 2912 pixels
Megapixels	6 MP	12,7 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED	DIGIC 2
Image	Nikon D40	Canon EOS 5D
ISO Range	200 - 3200	50 - 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	Nikon D40	Canon EOS 5D
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	9
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 5D
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	2,5”	2,5”
Screen dots	230000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	N/A	TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view	No	No
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentamirror)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	95%	96%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)	0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Nikon D40	Canon EOS 5D
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
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D40	Canon EOS 5D
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 5D
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Nikon D40	Canon EOS 5D
HDMI Output	No	No
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	No	No
Remote Control	Yes (Optional (ML-L3))	Yes (N3 connector)
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D40	Canon EOS 5D
Enviromentally sealed	No	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included	Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	470 shots	400 shots
Width	124 mm	152 mm
Height	94 mm	113 mm
Depth	64 mm	75 mm
Weight	522 gram	895 gram