Nikon D90 vs Canon EOS 40D
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 40D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Nikon D90 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 40D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.
Nikon D90 were released 2008 and Canon EOS 40D was released 2007. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon D90 | 2008 |
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 D90 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 D90 | 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 D90 has a 12,3 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 D90 |
12,3 MP
12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848 |
Canon EOS 40D |
10,1 MP
10077696 pixels 3888 x 2592 |
Nikon D90 has a 21 % 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 D90 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 40D. Nikon D90 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Canon EOS 40D has 100 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon D90 | 200-6400 |
Canon EOS 40D | 100-3200 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D90
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 D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 40D can shoot up to 6,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon D90 | 4,5 |
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 D90. 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 17% heavier than Nikon D90 and its 703 gr (or 1.55 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon D90 | 703 gr 1.55 lb |
Canon EOS 40D | 822 gr 1.81 lb |
Nikon D90 vs Canon EOS 40D Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D90 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 D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Name | Nikon D90 | Canon EOS 40D |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Release Year | 2008 | 2007 |
Release Date | 2008-08-27 | 2007-08-20 |
MSRP | 899 USD | 1299 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Nikon D90 |
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 | 4288 x 2848 pixels | 3888 x 2592 pixels |
Megapixels | 12,3 MP | 10,1 MP |
Image Processor | Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) | DIGIC 3 |
Image |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
ISO Range | 200 - 6400 | 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 D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point 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 D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 920000 | 230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 96% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.) | 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Frames per second | 4,5 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 | 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 Partial |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Video recording | Yes | No |
Video format |
MPEG4 |
N/A |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 |
N/A |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
HDMI Output | Yes | No |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
No |
Remote Control |
Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
|
Yes (N3 connector) |
GPS |
Yes Optional |
No |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 40D |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
|
Litium-Ion (Li-Ion) BP-511
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 850 shots | 800 shots |
Width | 132 mm | 146 mm |
Height | 103 mm | 108 mm |
Depth | 77 mm | 74 mm |
Weight | 703 gram | 822 gram |