Canon EOS 40D vs Nikon D200 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 10.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 40D
38
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Nikon D200
33
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 40D and the Nikon D200 are both digital SLR bodies. The 40D is the newer camera, released in 2007 against the D200's 2005. The 40D is also the lighter body at 822 g, while the D200 weighs 920 g and is slightly larger at 147 x 113 x 74 mm. Each camera belongs to a different native lens system, which shapes the whole purchase. The 40D uses the Canon EF-S mount, while the D200 uses the Nikon F DX mount, so any lenses you already own should weigh heavily in the choice. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2005 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 20, 2007 | November 1, 2005 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 146 x 108 x 74 mm | 147 x 113 x 74 mm |
| Camera weight | 822 g | 920 g |
| Optics | 39/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 40D is the better pick for fast action, shooting at 6.5 frames per second against the D200's 5 fps. For framing off-centre subjects, the D200 answers with 11 autofocus points to the 40D's 9, giving more freedom in subject placement. Resolution is effectively shared, at 10.1 megapixels on the 40D and 10 on the D200, so neither gives a practical cropping edge. Both use the same APS-C sensor format and the same standard ISO range of 100 to 1600, expandable to 3200. The sensors differ in type, with CMOS in the 40D and CCD in the D200. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3888 x 2592 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15 x 22 | 16 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6.5 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic III | Nikon Image processing engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so any movie work needs a different tool. The one moving-image option here is time-lapse: the D200's built-in interval timer fires frames automatically at set spacing, so you can build a time-lapse sequence from stills without an external remote. The 40D has no built-in intervalometer. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 36/100 | 30/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 40D is more convenient for tripod and awkward-angle work because it offers live view on its 3-inch LCD, a capability the D200 lacks. Its screen is also half an inch larger than the D200's 2.5-inch display. Both screens use the same 230,000-dot resolution, so neither renders previews more finely. The D200's standout advantage is weather sealing, which suits dusty trails, breezy coastlines and light rain that would keep an unsealed body in the bag. Both cameras carry a built-in flash and support external flash units, and neither offers GPS or wireless connectivity. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | No |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth bodies take a single CompactFlash Type I or II card, so the same card format serves either camera. Neither offers a second slot for backup or overflow. The rated battery life also matches, at 800 shots apiece. The batteries differ in kind. The 40D runs on a BP-511 pack and the D200 on an EN-EL3e, so chargers and spares are specific to each system and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-511 | EN-EL3e |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
800 shots1505000 | 800 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The 40D is the stronger buy for action and everyday versatility. Its 6.5 fps burst suits sports, birds in flight and running children, and live view on the larger screen makes tripod work such as landscapes and product shots easier.
Choose the D200 if you shoot outdoors in changeable weather and want a sealed body, or if built-in interval time-lapse of a sunset or construction site appeals. Two extra autofocus points help with off-centre framing. Finally, your existing lens collection should guide the choice, since EF-S and F DX do not share glass.