Canon EOS 30D vs Nikon D40 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 8.2 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 30D
33
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 6 MP · APS-C
Nikon D40
28
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 30D and the Nikon D40 are both DSLRs released in 2006, and the D40 is the more portable of the pair. It measures 124 x 94 x 64 mm, against 144 x 106 x 74 mm for the 30D, a smaller frame that favours travel and everyday carry. Weight follows the same split: the D40 weighs 522 g against 784 g for the 30D, a difference of 262 g. | ||
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. |
February 21, 2006 | November 16, 2006 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 144 x 106 x 74 mm | 124 x 94 x 64 mm |
| Camera weight | 784 g | 522 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 33/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS 30D is the stronger choice for cropping and for tracking moving subjects. Its 8.2 MP sensor provides more pixels than the D40's 6 MP for cropping into a distant animal. At 5 fps against 2.5 fps, it captures twice as many frames per second. Its 9 autofocus points, against 3 on the D40, give more off-centre places to focus. The 30D's 1/8000 second top shutter speed is half the exposure time of the D40's 1/4000, useful at wide apertures in bright light. Its native ISO range of 100 to 3200 is wider than the D40's 200 to 1600, though both share the APS-C sensor format. The 30D uses a pentaprism viewfinder, the D40 a pentamirror, and their Canon EF-S and Nikon F DX mounts are separate lens systems. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
8.2 MP050 | 6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3504 x 2336 | 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. |
15 x 22.5 | 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. |
5 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. |
32003003280000 | 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. |
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 | 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 (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so motion clips need a separate device. Neither offers a built-in interval timer either, so timelapse sequences also need external equipment. | ||
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 offer a built-in flash and support for external flash units, so fill light for indoor family photos needs no accessory on either body. Each has the same 2.5 inch, 230,000 dot LCD for reviewing shots, with no tilting screen, touch input or live view. Neither camera has GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so neither tags locations or transfers images wirelessly. Neither is weather sealed. | ||
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 | 24/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard format is the practical difference. The 30D takes Compact Flash Type I or II cards, while the D40 takes SD and SDHC, so any cards you already own suit only one of the two bodies. Both have a single card slot. The D40's battery rating is the higher of the two, at 470 shots against 400 for the 30D under their rated test conditions. Each uses its own pack, the EN-EL9 for the D40 and the BP-511A for the 30D, and neither charges over USB, so a separate charger comes with either camera. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-511A | EN-EL9 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
400 shots1505000 | 470 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 30D if you photograph moving subjects or want room to crop. Its 5 fps shooting, 9 autofocus points and 8.2 MP sensor make it the better tool for sports, wildlife and children playing, where the D40's 2.5 fps and 3 AF points would restrict coverage. The 1/8000 second shutter adds control in bright light.
Choose the Nikon D40 if a light, simple kit matters more. It is 262 g lighter at 522 g, and its 470 shot rating beats the 30D's 400 under test conditions. For travel, family photos and learning photography without heavy gear, the smaller body covers the essentials.