Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D vs Nikon D40 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 8 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D
25
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 6 MP · APS-C
Nikon D40
24
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D and the Nikon D40 are mid-2000s APS-C DSLRs, announced in February 2005 and November 2006 respectively. The D40 is the lighter and slightly shorter body, at 522 g against 540 g, and 124 mm long against 127 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2005 | 2006 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 17, 2005 | November 16, 2006 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 127 x 94 x 64 mm | 124 x 94 x 64 mm |
| Camera weight | 540 g | 522 g |
| Optics | 32/100 | 26/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Rebel XT is the stronger choice for cropping and for framing moving subjects, because it offers more resolution and more autofocus points. Its 8 MP sensor gives extra pixels over the D40's 6 MP, and its 9 autofocus points against the D40's 3 make off-centre framing easier. Both are APS-C bodies, but Canon's sensor is CMOS and Nikon's a CCD. Lens choice is the first practical decision, since Canon EF-S glass and Nikon F DX lenses do not interchange. Both share the same 1/4000 second maximum shutter and the same 1600 ISO standard ceiling. The D40 additionally offers an expanded 3200 ISO setting for dim interiors, while the Rebel XT starts at 100 ISO rather than the D40's 200 ISO. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
8 MP050 | 6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3456 x 2304 | 3008 x 2000 |
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. |
14.8 x 22.2 | 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. |
2.8 fps045 | 2.5 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 II | 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 | 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 | 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 | 20030200 |
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. |
16003003280000 | 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. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
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 | 30300 |
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 (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, and neither offers a built-in intervalometer for timelapse work. Anyone mixing movie clips into a project needs a different body, because both the Rebel XT and the D40 are stills-only DSLRs. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 8/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D40 gives the more comfortable playback experience, with a 2.5-inch LCD carrying 230,000 dots, twice the Rebel XT's 115,000. Reviewing focus and detail is easier, useful when checking a critical portrait. Both screens are fixed LCDs without live view, so framing happens through the optical viewfinder on either body. Both cameras include a built-in flash and a hot shoe for an external unit, so indoor snapshots and studio-style lighting setups are open to both. Neither offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, and neither is weather sealed, which keeps both better suited to fair-weather shooting. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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 | 1.8" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
1150001150001500000 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 29/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard format shapes daily use: the Rebel XT takes CompactFlash Type I or II, while the D40 takes SD and SDHC. The Rebel XT holds the battery advantage, rated for 600 shots against 470 for the D40, a higher rating for a long day of shooting. Neither camera has a second card slot or USB charging, so both run on one card and a dedicated charger. Each uses its own lithium pack, the NB-2LH for Canon and the EN-EL9 for Nikon. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-2LH | EN-EL9 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
600 shots1505000 | 470 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For moving subjects such as children or sports, the Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D is the better pick, with its 9 autofocus points, higher resolution and longer-rated battery. The Nikon D40 answers with a larger, more detailed 2.5-inch screen for reviewing images, an SD card slot and a lighter body for travel and everyday carry.
Existing lenses decide first, because Canon EF-S and Nikon F DX glass cannot cross between these bodies. Starting fresh with autofocus flexibility and crop room as priorities, buy the Rebel XT. For a bigger playback screen and convenient SD storage, the D40 is the better choice, and its expanded 3200 ISO setting adds an option for dim interiors.