Nikon D2Xs vs Nikon D40X — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Nikon D2Xs
36
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Nikon D40X
33
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D2Xs and the Nikon D40X are both mid-2000s DSLRs, but they suit very different shooting days. The D2Xs arrived in 2006 as a large 1200 g body measuring 158 x 150 x 86 mm. The D40X followed in 2007 at 522 g and 124 x 94 x 64 mm, less than half the weight, for travel and everyday outings. | ||
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. |
June 1, 2006 | March 6, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 150 x 86 mm | 124 x 94 x 64 mm |
| Camera weight | 1200 g | 522 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 40/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D2Xs is the clear choice for fast action, with 8 fps continuous shooting against 3 fps on the D40X. Its 11 autofocus points cover far more of the scene than the D40X's three for tracking moving subjects. A 1/8000 second top shutter speed, double the D40X's 1/4000, lets you shoot wide apertures in bright light. The pentaprism viewfinder gives a brighter viewing image than the D40X's pentamirror. The D40X reaches ISO 1600 natively, twice the D2Xs's ceiling of 800, for more flexibility in dim light. Both share the Nikon F DX mount, so the same DX lens collection serves either body. The D2Xs offers more cropping room and larger prints from its 12.2 MP against the D40X's 10. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.2 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4288 x 2848 | 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. |
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. |
8 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. |
8003003280000 | 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 ComparisonVideoBoth cameras are stills-only, so motion work means time-lapse sequences from still frames. The D2Xs has a built-in intervalometer, firing frames automatically at set intervals. The D40X has no built-in intervalometer, so it cannot run a time-lapse sequence on its own. | ||
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 | 17/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D40X is the better walk-around camera for casual flash shooting, with a built-in flash for quick indoor portraits and fill light. The D2Xs has none and relies on an external flash unit, which both cameras accept. Neither offers GPS, weather sealing, live view or a touch screen, so composition stays through the optical viewfinder. Their rear screens are effectively the same: both are fixed 2.5 inch LCDs, with 235000 dots on the D2Xs against 230000 on the D40X, a gap too small to matter when reviewing images. Neither screen flips or swivels, so overhead and low-angle framing means guessing or using the viewfinder. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  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. |
2350001150001500000 | 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 | 51/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D2Xs is rated for far more shooting per charge, 2000 shots against 520 on the D40X. That suits long events like a full sports match or wedding. The D40X takes the EN-EL9 battery rather than the D2Xs's EN-EL4a. Storage formats differ, so choose the body that matches the cards you already own. The D2Xs takes CompactFlash Type I or II cards, while the D40X uses SD and SDHC. Both have a single card slot, and neither charges its battery over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL4a | EN-EL9 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2000 shots1505000 | 520 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The D2Xs is the one to buy for sports, wildlife and event photography. Its 8 fps burst, 11 autofocus points, 1/8000 second shutter and 2000-shot battery rating suit long, fast action days. Its extra 2.2 megapixels leave more room to crop a distant subject.
Choose the D40X for travel, family snapshots and casual learning, where its 522 g body and SD cards keep things light. Its built-in flash covers quick indoor portraits, and it reaches ISO 1600 natively, twice the D2Xs. Both share the Nikon F DX mount and APS-C format, so lenses move freely between them.