Nikon D200 vs Nikon D40X — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Nikon D200
37
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Nikon D40X
33
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D200, released in 2005, and the Nikon D40X, released in 2007, are both Nikon F DX mount DSLRs, so the F DX lenses you already own fit either body. The D200 is the larger and heavier camera at 147 x 113 x 74 mm and 920 g. The D40X measures 124 x 94 x 64 mm and weighs 522 g, a 398 g difference. The D40X's smaller, lighter body suits travel and everyday carry. The D200 carries its extra size alongside faster continuous shooting, weather sealing and a pentaprism viewfinder. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2005 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 1, 2005 | March 6, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 147 x 113 x 74 mm | 124 x 94 x 64 mm |
| Camera weight | 920 g | 522 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 40/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D200 is the stronger camera for moving subjects: it shoots at 5 frames per second against 3 on the D40X, and its 11 autofocus points against 3 give far more freedom over where focus lands. For a football match, a running dog or birds at a feeder, the D200 captures more frames of each pass and places focus off-centre without reframing. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed doubles the D40X's 1/4000, which helps wide apertures in bright daylight. Resolution and sensitivity are shared specifications: 10 megapixel APS-C CCD sensors and ISO 100 to 1600, extendable to 3200, so cropping room and low-light settings are alike. The D200's pentaprism viewfinder also gives a brighter viewing image than the D40X's pentamirror design. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3872 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. |
CCD | 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. |
16 x 24 | 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 | 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. |
Nikon F DX | 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. |
Nikon Image processing engine | 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. |
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. |
110300 | 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 are off the table for both. The one moving-image difference is timelapse: the D200 has built-in interval shooting, letting you record a flower opening or clouds crossing a valley as a frame sequence using only the camera. The D40X has no interval mode, so that kind of project needs an external remote timer. | ||
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. |
 Yes | No |
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 | 30/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D200's weather sealing makes it the safer body for shoreline spray, dusty trails and rain showers, protection the D40X does not offer. Both have a built-in flash plus support for an external flash on the hot shoe, so each can light indoor portraits or add daylight fill. Screen and connectivity specifications are shared: a fixed 2.5 inch LCD with 230,000 dots, no live view, no touch input, and no GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Composing is through the optical viewfinder only, and files move to a computer by card reader rather than wirelessly. | ||
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. |
 Yes | No |
| 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 | 35/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard formats differ: the D200 takes CompactFlash Type I or II, while the D40X takes SD and SDHC. Anyone planning to own or borrow both bodies needs both card types on hand. Each camera has a single slot, so neither offers a second card for overflow or copying on the fly. The D200's EN-EL3e battery rates 800 shots per charge under its test conditions, against 520 shots for the D40X's EN-EL9. On those ratings the D200 is the stronger companion for a long day of shooting away from a charger. Neither camera charges over USB, so both rely on an external charger. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL3e | EN-EL9 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
800 shots1505000 | 520 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the D200 if you photograph action, wildlife or the outdoors. Its 5 fps burst, 11 autofocus points, 1/8000 second shutter, sealed body, pentaprism viewfinder and built-in interval shooting serve sports, birds, bright wide-aperture work, bad weather and timelapse projects. Its higher battery rating also favours long event days.
Choose the D40X when light, simple carrying matters most. At 522 g it is the easier body to pack for travel and family snapshots, and it shares the same 10 megapixel APS-C resolution and F DX lens mount. Photographers shooting static subjects in fair weather give up little for that lighter bag.