Sony a290 vs Nikon D40

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a290 and Nikon D40. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a290 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D40 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a290 were released 2010 and Nikon D40 was released 2006. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a290 2010
Nikon D40 2006

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a290 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D40 has a "Nikon DX"-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 **
Sony a290 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D40 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a290 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D40 has 6 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a290 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Nikon D40 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Sony a290 has a 133 % 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

Sony a290 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40. Sony a290 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 3200 while Nikon D40 has 200 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a290 100-3200
Nikon D40 200-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a290 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 Sony a290
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. Sony a290 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D40 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a290 2,5
Nikon D40 2,5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a290 or Nikon D40 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.

Sony a290 weighs 549 gr (equal to 1.21 lb) which is 5% heavier than Nikon D40 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a290 549 gr
1.21 lb
Nikon D40 522 gr
1.15 lb

Sony a290 vs Nikon D40 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a290 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
Sony a290
Nikon D40
Name Sony a290 Nikon D40
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a290
Nikon D40
Release Year 2010 2006
Release Date 2010-06-09 2006-11-16
MSRP 499 USD 729 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a290
Nikon D40
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a290
Nikon D40
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CCD CCD
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 6 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a290
Nikon D40
ISO Range 100 - 3200 200 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a290
Nikon D40
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 9 3
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (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
Sony a290
Nikon D40
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 2,5”
Screen dots 230400 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a290
Nikon D40
Frames per second 2,5 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 10 meters 17 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a290
Nikon D40
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
Sony a290
Nikon D40
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a290
Nikon D40
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a290
Nikon D40
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 290 shots 470 shots
Width 128 mm 124 mm
Height 97 mm 94 mm
Depth 86 mm 64 mm
Weight 549 gram 522 gram