Sony a330 vs Nikon D40
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a330 and Nikon D40. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a330 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D40 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a330 were released 2009 and Nikon D40 was released 2006. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a330 | 2009 |
Nikon D40 | 2006 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a330 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 a330 | 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 a330 has a 10 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 a330 |
10 MP
10036224 pixels 3872 x 2592 |
Nikon D40 |
6 MP
6016000 pixels 3008 x 2000 |
Sony a330 has a 67 % 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 a330 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40. Sony a330 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 3200 while Nikon D40 has 200 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a330 | 100-3200 |
Nikon D40 | 200-3200 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a330 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 a330
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 a330 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 a330 | 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 a330 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 a330 weighs 529 gr (equal to 1.17 lb) which is 1% heavier than Nikon D40 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a330 | 529 gr 1.17 lb |
Nikon D40 | 522 gr 1.15 lb |
Sony a330 vs Nikon D40 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a330 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 a330 |
Nikon D40 |
Name | Sony a330 | Nikon D40 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a330 |
Nikon D40 |
Release Year | 2009 | 2006 |
Release Date | 2009-05-18 | 2006-11-16 |
MSRP | 649 USD | 729 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a330 |
Nikon D40 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a330 |
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 | 3872 x 2592 pixels | 3008 x 2000 pixels |
Megapixels | 10 MP | 6 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED |
Image |
Sony a330 |
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 a330 |
Nikon D40 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
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 | 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 a330 |
Nikon D40 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 2.7” | 2,5” |
Screen dots | 230400 | 230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | N/A |
Live view | Yes | No |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a330 |
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 a330 |
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 a330 |
Nikon D40 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a330 |
Nikon D40 |
HDMI Output | Yes | No |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes (Wireless (Optional)) |
Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
|
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a330 |
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) | 529 shots | 470 shots |
Width | 128 mm | 124 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 94 mm |
Depth | 71 mm | 64 mm |
Weight | 529 gram | 522 gram |