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Nikon D40 vs Nikon D780

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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NikonD40NikonD780
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2006January 2020
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CFull frame
Sensor typeCCDBackside-illuminated CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.7 × 15.6 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution6.1 MP24.5 MP
Largest image3008 × 20006048 × 4024
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–1600100–51200
Sensor detailNikon DX primary-colour CCD with 6.1 million effective and 6.24 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent25.28 million total pixels; sensor cleaning and image-dust-off reference data
Image formatsCompressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus Basic JPEG; maximum 3008 × 2000 pixels; Image Optimisation settings and in-camera retouching12/14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or ordinary compression; JPEG and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detailISO 200–1600 in whole stops; Hi 1 expands to ISO 3200 equivalentExpandable to equivalent ISO 50–204800; Auto ISO available
Image processor–EXPEED 6
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst2.5 fps12 fps
Lens detailAutofocus with AF-S and AF-I motor-equipped lenses; no body autofocus motor. Other compatible AF lenses require manual focusing; non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedF-mount G/E/D, supported AF, P and AI non-CPU lenses with restrictions; DX lenses use a crop; non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses unsupported
AutofocusMulti-CAM 530 phase-detection module; three selectable autofocus areas; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100 equivalent, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A, single-area, dynamic-area and closest-subject-priority dynamic-area modes; AF-assist illuminatorViewfinder Advanced Multi-CAM 3500II phase detection with 51 points, 15 cross-type and 11 supporting f/8. Live-view hybrid phase/contrast detection provides 273 FX still-image single-point positions and eye detection. UK/Japan sensitivity −3 EV viewfinder, −5 EV live view or −7 EV low-light AF under maker conditions; US launch prose's −4 EV viewfinder claim conflicts with exact specs.
ShutterCombined CCD electronic and mechanical shutter; 1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third stops, Bulb and Time with optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/500 secondMechanical, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutters; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; manual-mode extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 second with compatible Auto FP support.
Burst detailApproximately 2.5 fps; self-timer and optional ML-L3 delayed or immediate infrared remote releaseUp to 7 fps through the optical viewfinder; silent live view up to 12 fps with 12-bit RAW or 8 fps with 14-bit RAW. Low-speed 1–6 fps viewfinder or 1–3 fps live view; quiet continuous 3 fps. Reduced-resolution movie-frame still captures at up to 120 fps are separate from full-resolution continuous shooting.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation. The pictured original 18–55mm ED II kit lens has no VRNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical VR depends on the attached lens; electronic movie VR available
FlashBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 17 m at ISO 200, 20°C, or 18 at manual full output; equivalent guide numbers 12 or 13 at ISO 100; accessory shoeNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights; optional AS-15 provides a flash-sync terminal
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto and scene modes; 420-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation in one-third stopsAuto, P/S/A/M, effects and U1/U2 settings; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation; 180K-pixel RGB viewfinder metering sensor
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size2.5″3.2″
Screen dots230,0002,359,000
TouchscreenNoYes
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed 2.5-inch low-temperature-polysilicon TFT with approximately 230000 dots; Classic, Graphic and Wallpaper shooting-information displays, contextual help and playback magnification; dots count subpixelsApproximately 100% coverage, 170° viewing angle and vertical tilt; maker UK states 2359K dots, Japan rounds to approximately 2.36 million; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.80× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 18 mm eyepointPentaprism, approximately 100% FX coverage, 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 21 mm eyepoint and −3 to +1 dioptre adjustment
Connections and design
Wi-Fi–Yes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)470 photographs2260 photographs
Body weight475 g755 g
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 1 December 2006; Nikon USA announced it on 16 November 2006 with US availability beginning DecemberNikon US announced on 6 January 2020 and specified availability in late January; global announcement dated 7 January. Main uses the confirmed month without inferring a UK retail day.
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC card slot; MMC unsupportedTwo UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copying
PortsHi-Speed USB and NTSC/PAL video output; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, accessory terminal for MC-DC2; optional WT-7 provides network connectivity
Wireless connections–Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.2; SnapBridge
Battery life detailEN-EL9 rechargeable lithium-ion battery; Nikon USA lists approximately 470 CIPA photographs per chargeEN-EL15b; approximately 2260 CIPA single-frame shots or 4570 shots under Nikon's separate continuous-shooting test; approximately 95 minutes of movie recording. EN-EL15a/15 compatibility with restrictions; EN-EL15c may be supplied.
ChargingExternal MH-23 quick charger; optional EH-5 mains adapter with EP-5 power connectorIn-camera charging with EN-EL15b and optional EH-7P; external MH-25a charger. Optional AC adapter and EP-5B power connector.
DimensionsApproximately 126 × 94 × 64 mmApproximately 143.5 × 115.5 × 76 mm
Weight detailApproximately 475 g excluding battery, SD card and body capApproximately 755 g body only or 840 g including battery and SD card, excluding body cap
Materials–Weather-sealed magnesium alloy construction; maker operating range 0–40°C
ColoursBlack or silver; regional kit availability varies–
In the boxEN-EL9 battery, MH-23 charger, UC-E4 USB cable, AN-DC1 strap for black or AN-DC2 for silver, body cap, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-16 eyecup and PictureProject CD-ROMEN-EL15-series battery, MH-25a charger, UC-E24 USB cable, AN-DC21 strap, BF-1B body cap, DK-5 eyepiece cap and DK-31 eyecup; battery revision may vary
Video
Highest video resolution–3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps
Video detailNo movie recording or live-view composition; NTSC/PAL output is for playbackUHD 3840 × 2160 at 29.97/25/23.976p without extra FX crop, oversampled from 6K sensor data; Full HD up to 119.88p and separate silent slow-motion modes. H.264 MOV/MP4; limit 29 minutes 59 seconds. 10-bit N-Log and HLG require an external HDMI recorder and cannot simultaneously record that output to the camera card. UK prose's DX 50/60p statement does not mean UHD 50/60p; exact maker UHD table tops out at 30p.
Audio–Built-in stereo microphones, external 3.5 mm microphone input and headphone output; PCM or AAC depending on file format; microphone attenuator

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