Nikon D40X vs Nikon D80 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Nikon D40X
33
SCORE
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Nikon · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Nikon D80
34
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D40X and the Nikon D80 are both APS-C DSLRs sharing the Nikon F DX mount, so your F-mount DX lenses fit either body. The D80 arrived in August 2006 as the larger, heavier option, measuring 132 x 103 x 77 mm and weighing 668 g. The D40X followed in March 2007 in a smaller, lighter body at 124 x 94 x 64 mm and 522 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2006 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 6, 2007 | August 9, 2006 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 94 x 64 mm | 132 x 103 x 77 mm |
| Camera weight | 522 g | 668 g |
| Optics | 40/100 | 39/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D80 is the stronger pick for framing subjects away from the centre of the scene, because its 11 autofocus points outnumber the D40X's 3 by a wide margin. That extra coverage also helps when you want to keep a moving subject off-centre without recomposing after focus locks. The stills fundamentals match, so either body produces the same 10 MP files from its APS-C CCD sensor. Both shoot at 3 fps and top out at a 1/4000 second shutter, with a native ISO range of 100 to 1600 plus an expanded setting reaching 3200. Neither offers in-body stabilisation, so steadier handheld work depends on the lens. Both viewfinders are optical, with a pentaprism in the D80 and a pentamirror in the D40X. | ||
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 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
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. |
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. |
Expeed | 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 | 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. |
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. |
30300 | 110300 |
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 ComparisonVideoMovie capture is off the table with either body: neither the D40X nor the D80 records video, and neither includes a built-in timelapse mode. Both of these mid-2000s DSLRs are strictly stills cameras, so motion or interval work needs another device. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesThe D80 offers built-in Wi-Fi, so you can transfer images wirelessly after a shoot, while the D40X has no wireless option. Neither body includes GPS, so geotagging travel photos means recording locations separately. On the rear, the two cameras share the same 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot LCD with no touch input, no articulation, and no live view, so framing happens through the optical viewfinder on both. Each includes a built-in flash and supports an external flash unit, which covers fill light for portraits and indoor shots. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D80 is the stronger choice for long shooting days, rated at 2700 shots from its EN-EL3e pack against 520 shots for the D40X's EN-EL9. Under the test conditions behind those ratings, the 2180-shot gap favours the D80 when a charger will not be nearby. Storage works the same way on both bodies: a single SD or SDHC card slot in each, with no second slot for overflow or backup. Neither camera charges its battery over USB, so both depend on an external charger between sessions. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL9 | EN-EL3e |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
520 shots1505000 | 2700 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D80 if your shooting runs long or your subjects move. Its 11 autofocus points give you room to compose kids, pets or sports away from the centre, and its pentaprism viewfinder sits behind the same 10 MP resolution. Its 2700-shot battery rating favours long days out, and built-in Wi-Fi simplifies handing images over after a shoot.
The D40X is the better pick when a lighter kit matters most. At 522 g against 668 g it saves 146 g while matching the D80's 10 MP CCD sensor, mount and ISO range for casual and travel stills.