Nikon D40 vs Nikon D70s — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 6 MP · APS-C
Nikon D40
28
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 6.1 MP · APS-C
Nikon D70s
29
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D40 and the Nikon D70s are both Nikon F DX mount DSLRs with APS-C CCD sensors, so any F-mount DX lens you already own fits either body. The D40 arrived in 2006 as the smaller, lighter camera, measuring 124 x 94 x 64 mm and weighing 522 g. The 2005 D70s is larger at 140 x 111 x 78 mm and 679 g. The 157 g weight difference makes the D40 the easier camera to carry through a full day of sightseeing or travel. Both cameras use the same Nikon image processing engine. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2005 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 16, 2006 | April 20, 2005 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 94 x 64 mm | 140 x 111 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 522 g | 679 g |
| Optics | 33/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D70s is the stronger choice for action and bright-light shooting. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed doubles the D40's 1/4000, so you can keep a wide aperture such as f/1.8 in strong sunlight for a shorter exposure without overexposing. It also focuses with 5 AF points instead of 3 and shoots at 3 fps rather than 2.5 fps, giving it a small edge for sequences of a moving subject. Neither body offers meaningful room to crop a distant bird, with resolution a near match at 6 MP against 6.1 MP. Both share a 200 to 1600 ISO standard range, but the D40 adds an expanded setting reaching 3200 ISO as a fallback in dim interiors. The D70s uses a pentaprism viewfinder, the D40 a pentamirror. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
6 MP050 | 6.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3008 x 2000 | 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. |
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. |
2.5 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 | 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. |
20030200 | 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. |
20030200 | 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 | 16003003280000 |
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 | 800080032000 |
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. |
30300 | 50300 |
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 (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or built-in time-lapse, so this pair suits stills only. Anyone wanting movie clips must look beyond both bodies. | ||
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 | 10/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D40 offers the more usable screen for reviewing photos in the field, with a 2.5-inch 230,000-dot LCD against 2 inches and 130,000 dots on the D70s. The larger, sharper display makes checking focus and composition after a shot easier. The D70s offers Wi-Fi for wireless image transfer, while the D40 has none. Both include a built-in flash and support external flash units, useful for fill light on portraits. Neither has GPS, live view, a flip screen or weather sealing. | ||
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" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 1300001150001500000 |
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. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D70s is the stronger choice for long shooting days, with its EN-EL3a battery rated at 950 shots against 470 shots for the D40's EN-EL9. That rated lead suits a long day of shooting away from a charger. An existing card collection suits only one of these bodies: the D40 takes SD and SDHC cards, while the D70s takes CompactFlash Type I or II. Neither has dual card slots or USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL9 | EN-EL3a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
470 shots1505000 | 950 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D40 if you want a lighter camera for everyday carry and travel photography, better on-camera review on its larger screen, and SD card convenience. Its expanded 3200 ISO setting also gives you a fallback for dim interiors where the D70s tops out at 1600 ISO.
Choose the D70s for action and endurance: the 1/8000 second shutter, 5 AF points, 3 fps burst and 950-shot battery rating make it the better tool for sports, running children or a wedding shot wide open in daylight. For mostly static subjects, the D40's lighter body is the practical pick.