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Nikon D40 vs Nikon D850

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD40NikonD850
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2006September 2017
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 MP45.7 MP
Largest image3008 × 20008256 × 5504
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–160064–25600
Sensor detailNikon DX primary-colour CCD with 6.1 million effective and 6.24 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent46.89 million total pixels; no optical low-pass filter; sensor cleaning and image-dust-off reference data. UK effective resolution rounded to 45.7 MP; Japan specifies 45.75 million, distinct from the 45.44-million-pixel largest file.
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 compression, compression or no compression; medium/small RAW fixed at 12-bit lossless; JPEG, RGB TIFF and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detailISO 200–1600 in whole stops; Hi 1 expands to ISO 3200 equivalentExpandable to equivalent ISO 32–102400; Auto ISO available
Image processor–EXPEED 5
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst2.5 fps9 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 unsupportedCompatible F-mount lenses include G/E/D, other supported AF, P and AI non-CPU lenses with restrictions; DX lenses use a cropped image area. 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 Multi-CAM 20K phase detection with 153 points, 99 cross-type and 55 user-selectable; 15 support f/8. Live view uses contrast detection with face, wide, normal, pinpoint and tracking modes. Review references to a Multi-CAM 3500 module are incorrect.
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 second1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; mechanical focal-plane and electronic front-curtain options; flash sync 1/250 second with compatible Auto FP support; electronic silent live-view modes
Burst detailApproximately 2.5 fps; self-timer and optional ML-L3 delayed or immediate infrared remote releaseMain 9 fps requires optional MB-D18 grip, EN-EL18b battery and BL-5 cover; body with EN-EL15-series battery reaches 7 fps. Full-resolution silent Mode 1 reaches 6 fps. Brief silent Mode 2 reaches 30 fps for at most three seconds with fixed focus/exposure and 3600 × 2400 DX JPEG Normal files; this restricted mode is not the headline continuous rate.
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 vibration reduction available with mode restrictions.
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, ISO 519 sync terminal and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto and scene modes; 420-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation in one-third stopsP/S/A/M; ±5 EV compensation; 180K-pixel RGB metering sensor, unlike Photography Blog's erroneous 91K-pixel narrative
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 subpixelsTilting TFT, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; maker US announcement specifies 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, 0.75× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 17 mm eyepoint and −3 to +1 dioptre adjustment
Connections and design
Wi-Fi–Yes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)470 photographs1840 photographs
Body weight475 g915 g
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 1 December 2006; Nikon USA announced it on 16 November 2006 with US availability beginning DecemberAnnounced on 24 August 2017 after a July development announcement; Nikon US states September availability and Nikon Japan specified 8 September. Main retains September because the exact first UK retail day is unconfirmed.
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC card slot; MMC unsupportedCurrent maker specification supports CFexpress Type B/XQD plus UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copying. Launch specification had XQD plus SD.
PortsHi-Speed USB and NTSC/PAL video output; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteUSB 3.0 Micro-B, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, 10-pin remote terminal and flash-sync socket; Ethernet requires the optional WT-7 transmitter
Wireless connections–Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.1; SnapBridge
Battery life detailEN-EL9 rechargeable lithium-ion battery; Nikon USA lists approximately 470 CIPA photographs per chargeEN-EL15a/15b; maker CIPA claim approximately 1840 shots using the camera's own EN-EL15-series battery, not requiring the D5 battery as UK marketing prose could suggest. EN-EL15c may be supplied. Optional MB-D18 supports EN-EL18b, EN-EL15-series or eight AA cells.
ChargingExternal MH-23 quick charger; optional EH-5 mains adapter with EP-5 power connectorExternal MH-25a charger; optional EH-5c/EH-5b AC adapter and EP-5B power connector
DimensionsApproximately 126 × 94 × 64 mmApproximately 146 × 124 × 78.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 475 g excluding battery, SD card and body capApproximately 915 g body only or 1005 g including battery and XQD card, excluding body cap
Materials–Weather-sealed 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, HDMI/USB cable clip, UC-E22 USB cable, AN-DC18 strap, BF-1B body cap and DK-17F eyepiece; 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 playbackFull-width FX or DX UHD 3840 × 2160 at 29.97/25/23.976p; Full HD up to 59.94p and cropped silent slow-motion capture at 100/119.88 fps played at 25/29.97/23.976p. H.264 MOV/MP4; recording limit 29 minutes 59 seconds. In-camera 4K time-lapse; 8K time-lapse requires still-frame assembly in external software.
Audio–Built-in stereo microphones, external 3.5 mm microphone input and headphone monitoring; PCM or AAC depending on file format; slow motion has no audio

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