Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D vs Nikon D40 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 10.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D
33
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 6 MP · APS-C
Nikon D40
28
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D and the Nikon D40 are APS-C DSLRs released in 2006. Because they use different lens mounts, Canon EF-S and Nikon F DX respectively, your existing or planned lens collection is likely to shape the choice as much as either body. The two bodies measure 127 x 94 x 65 mm and 124 x 94 x 64 mm, so each occupies almost the same space in a bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2006 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2006 | November 16, 2006 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 127 x 94 x 65 mm | 124 x 94 x 64 mm |
| Camera weight | 556 g | 522 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 33/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Rebel XTi is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 10.1 megapixels against 6 for the D40. That difference means more room to crop a distant subject, such as a bird at the edge of the frame, and still keep detail for printing. Both frame shots through the same type of optical pentamirror viewfinder. The Canon also offers nine autofocus points against three on the D40, useful for off-centre portraits and moving children without reframing first. For action, the XTi shoots at 3 fps compared with 2.5 fps. The D40 offers an expanded ISO 3200 setting for dim interiors, while the XTi tops out at 1600 ISO in standard and expanded ranges. Both share the same 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 6 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 | 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. |
3 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 or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so movie clips and in-camera interval shooting are jobs for another camera. Both are purely stills shooters from the same 2006 generation. | ||
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 | 17/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth cameras share the same rear screen specification, a 2.5-inch LCD with 230,000 dots, so reviewing photos and checking focus on the back of the camera is a like-for-like experience. Each also offers a built-in flash plus support for an external flash, giving both a simple fill-light option indoors and a clear upgrade path for stronger, more directional lighting. Neither body includes GPS, weather sealing, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. | ||
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 | 2.5" | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 21/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D40 carries the longer battery rating for a day of shooting, at 470 shots against 370 for the Rebel XTi under their respective test conditions. That rated difference favours longer outings such as a full day of travel photography before recharging. Their card formats differ: the XTi takes Compact Flash Type I or II, while the D40 uses SD and SDHC cards. If you already own one card type, that makes the matching body simpler to equip. Neither camera has dual card slots or USB charging. | ||
| 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. |
370 shots1505000 | 470 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Rebel XTi is the better pick for most stills work. Its 10.1 megapixels suit landscape prints and wildlife cropping, and nine autofocus points with a faster 3 fps burst help with active subjects.
Choose the D40 if you already own Nikon F DX lenses or SD cards, value the longer 470-shot battery rating for extended days out, or want the expanded ISO 3200 setting for dim interiors. Whichever you choose, the lens system you buy into shapes the purchase, since the two mounts are not interchangeable.