Canon EOS 40D vs Nikon D300 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 10.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 40D
42
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C
Nikon D300
49
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D300 and Canon EOS 40D are same-year APS-C DSLR rivals, announced within three days of each other in August 2007. Both pair a CMOS sensor with an optical pentaprism viewfinder, so framing and composition work the same way through the lens. Neither body has in-body stabilisation, so lens choice matters for handheld shooting on either side. The real fork is the native lens system: the D300 uses the Nikon F DX mount and the 40D uses Canon EF-S. Any buying decision should start with the lenses already owned or planned, because nothing from one mount fits the other directly. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 20, 2007 | August 23, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 146 x 108 x 74 mm | 147 x 114 x 74 mm |
| Camera weight | 822 g | 925 g |
| Optics | 45/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D300 is the stronger choice for tracking moving subjects, with 51 autofocus points against 9 on the 40D. That wider spread gives far more room to keep a flying bird or racing cyclist covered without recomposing between frames. The 40D answers with a modest burst advantage, shooting at 6.5 frames per second against 6. The D300 also gives you more pixels for cropping and larger prints, at 12.3 megapixels against 10.1. Its standard ISO scale reaches 3200 against the 40D's 1600, and the expanded setting goes to 6400 against 3200, so higher settings stay available when the light falls. Both bodies share the same 1/8000 second top shutter speed for freezing bright action. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 12.3 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 | 4288 x 2848 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
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 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
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 | 6 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 | Expeed |
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 | 20030200 |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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 | 64003003280000 |
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 | 510300 |
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 motion work needs a separate device. The one moving-image difference is timelapse: the D300 offers it built in, letting you assemble frame sequences from a tripod without external gear. The 40D requires an add-on interval solution for the same result. | ||
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 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D300 is the better bet for shooting outdoors in poor weather, because it has weather sealing and the 40D does not. Its rear screen is also far sharper, with 922,000 dots against 230,000, which makes checking focus and detail on the 3-inch LCD after a shot far more informative. Both cameras offer live view for tripod work and waist-level framing, along with a built-in flash and external flash support for studio lighting. Neither has GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so wireless transfer and geotagging need accessories on both sides. | ||
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" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 9220001150001500000 |
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 | Yes |
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 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage choices match here: both cameras take a single Compact Flash Type I or II card, with no second slot for backup on either body. Cards carried for one system work in the other, so existing media needs no replacement. Battery life favours the D300, rated at 1000 shots against 800 for the 40D. The two use different packs, the EN-EL3e and the BP-511, so chargers and spares do not carry across brands. Neither body 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 | 1000 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For sports, wildlife and damp-weather work, the D300 is the better pick: its 51-point autofocus, weather sealing and 1000-shot battery rating suit a long day of tracking action in unpredictable conditions. Its sharper rear screen and timelapse support add practical value for reviewing shots and motion sequences.
Choose the 40D mainly when Canon EF-S lenses already anchor your kit, since the mount decides what carries over. It also shoots slightly faster at 6.5 frames per second and weighs 822 grams against 925. Otherwise the D300's advantages cover more shooting situations.