Nikon D40 vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D40 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D40 were released 2006 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D40 2006
Nikon D800 2012

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 Nikon D800 has a "Nikon FX"-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
Nikon D800 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)

Resolution

Nikon D40 has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 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
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 501 % 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 D800 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D40 has 200 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D40 200-3200
Nikon D800 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D800 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 Nikon D800

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 Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D40 2,5
Nikon D800 6

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D800. Sadly, the Nikon D40 does not support this.

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 D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 72% heavier than Nikon D40 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D40 522 gr
1.15 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D40 and Nikon D800, 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
Nikon D800
Name Nikon D40 Nikon D800
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D40
Nikon D800
Release Year 2006 2012
Release Date 2006-11-16 2012-02-07
MSRP 729 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D40
Nikon D800
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D40
Nikon D800
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 3008 x 2000 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED 3
Image
Nikon D40
Nikon D800
ISO Range 200 - 3200 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 12
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
Nikon D800
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 3 51
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
FX (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
Nikon D800
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2,5” 3,2”
Screen dots 230000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view No Yes
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
Nikon D800
Frames per second 2,5 fps 6 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 17 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D40
Nikon D800
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D40
Nikon D800
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D40
Nikon D800
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D40
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots 900 shots
Width 124 mm 146 mm
Height 94 mm 123 mm
Depth 64 mm 82 mm
Weight 522 gram 900 gram