Sony a55 vs Nikon D40

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Nikon D40. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a55 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D40 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a55 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 a55 2010
Nikon D40 2006

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a55 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 a55 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 a55 has a 16 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 a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Nikon D40 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Sony a55 has a 167 % 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 a55 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40. Sony a55 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D40 has 200 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
Nikon D40 200-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a55 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 a55
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 a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D40 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Nikon D40 2,5

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 Sony a55. Unfortunately Nikon D40 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.

Nikon D40 weighs 522 gr (equal to 1.15 lb) which is 4% heavier than Sony a55 and its 500 gr (or 1.1 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Nikon D40 522 gr
1.15 lb

Sony a55 vs Nikon D40 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 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 a55
Nikon D40
Name Sony a55 Nikon D40
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Nikon D40
Release Year 2010 2006
Release Date 2010-08-24 2006-11-16
MSRP 749 USD 729 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Nikon D40
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a55
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 CMOS CCD
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 6 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a55
Nikon D40
ISO Range 100 - 12800 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 a55
Nikon D40
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 15 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 a55
Nikon D40
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 2,5”
Screen dots 921000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a55
Nikon D40
Frames per second 10 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 a55
Nikon D40
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a55
Nikon D40
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a55
Nikon D40
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Nikon D40
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 470 shots
Width 124 mm 124 mm
Height 92 mm 94 mm
Depth 85 mm 64 mm
Weight 500 gram 522 gram