Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D vs Nikon D40X — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 10.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D
33
SCORE
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Nikon · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Nikon D40X
33
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D and the Nikon D40X are APS-C DSLRs announced in August 2006 and March 2007, at the move to ten-megapixel sensors. Both frame shots through an optical pentamirror viewfinder. The D40X is the lighter and smaller body: 522 g against 556 g for the Rebel XTi, and 124 x 94 x 64 mm against 127 x 94 x 65 mm. The 34 g difference favours the Nikon for travel and packing. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2006 | March 6, 2007 |
| 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 | 40/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Rebel XTi is the stronger body for off-centre subjects, because its nine autofocus points give you far more places to compose around than the three on the D40X. For a child running across a playground or a portrait framed off-centre, that wider AF spread is the practical difference between these two. Resolution is a practical tie at 10.1 megapixels against 10, so neither earns a cropping advantage. Both share an APS-C sensor format, 3 fps continuous shooting, a 1/4000 second top shutter and a 100 to 1600 standard ISO range. The D40X adds a 3200 expanded ISO setting for dim rooms. Each mount, Canon EF-S or Nikon F DX, takes its own system's lenses. | ||
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. |
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 | 3 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 | 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 | 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. |
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 the Rebel XTi nor the D40X records video or a built-in timelapse. Anyone wanting even occasional clips alongside stills needs a different camera entirely. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesBecause neither offers live view, framing on either camera is through the optical viewfinder, and the rear screen serves for reviewing images and menus. Both screens are the same fixed 2.5-inch LCD with 230,000 dots, with no touch control and no tilting panel. Both cameras offer a pop-up flash for fill light and a hot shoe for an external unit, the more useful tool for bounce-lit portraits. Neither offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, so transferring images requires a cable or card reader and travel shots carry no location tags. | ||
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 D40X holds the battery advantage, rated at 520 shots per charge against 370 for the Rebel XTi. The larger rating favours longer outings between charges. The card formats split your kit: the D40X takes SD and SDHC cards, while the Rebel XTi uses CompactFlash Type I or II, so cards you already own fit only one body. Each has a single card slot, and neither charges over USB, so each needs its external charger, 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. |
370 shots1505000 | 520 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D if you photograph off-centre subjects. Its nine autofocus points against three on the D40X give you far more places to put the active point without recomposing after focus.
Choose the Nikon D40X if endurance and convenience count for more. Its 520-shot rating against 370 suits longer outings between charges, and its 3200 expanded ISO setting gives extra reach in dim rooms. Both remain ten-megapixel APS-C DSLRs with 3 fps shooting, an optical viewfinder and a pop-up flash, so the lens system you build around matters as much as any spec here.