Sony a550 vs Nikon D40

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a550 and Nikon D40. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a550 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D40 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a550 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 a550 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 a550 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 a550 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 a550 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 a550 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Nikon D40 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Sony a550 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 a550 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40. Sony a550 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Nikon D40 has 200 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a550 200-12800
Nikon D40 200-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a550 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 a550
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 a550 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Nikon D40 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a550 7
Nikon D40 2,5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a550 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 a550 weighs 632 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 21% heavier than Nikon D40 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a550 632 gr
1.39 lb
Nikon D40 522 gr
1.15 lb

Sony a550 vs Nikon D40 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a550 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 a550
Nikon D40
Name Sony a550 Nikon D40
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a550
Nikon D40
Release Year 2009 2006
Release Date 2009-08-27 2006-11-16
MSRP 949 USD 729 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a550
Nikon D40
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a550
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 4592 x 3056 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 6 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a550
Nikon D40
ISO Range 200 - 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 a550
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 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 a550
Nikon D40
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 2,5”
Screen dots 921600 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 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a550
Nikon D40
Frames per second 7 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 12 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 a550
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 a550
Nikon D40
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a550
Nikon D40
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a550
Nikon D40
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 480 shots 470 shots
Width 137 mm 124 mm
Height 104 mm 94 mm
Depth 84 mm 64 mm
Weight 632 gram 522 gram