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Nikon D40 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD40SonyAlpha DSLR-A700
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2006September 2007
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCCDCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.7 × 15.6 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution6.1 MP12.24 MP
Largest image3008 × 20004272 × 2848
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–1600100–3200
Sensor detailNikon DX primary-colour CCD with 6.1 million effective and 6.24 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalentExmor CMOS; 13.05 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal
Image formatsCompressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus Basic JPEG; maximum 3008 × 2000 pixels; Image Optimisation settings and in-camera retouchingJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.0), compressed cRAW and RAW/cRAW+JPEG; 3:2 or cropped 16:9 JPEGs; Sony’s launch table specifies RAW 4288 × 2856 separately from JPEG 4272 × 2848
ISO detailISO 200–1600 in whole stops; Hi 1 expands to ISO 3200 equivalentISO 100–3200 in 1/3-stop steps, expandable to ISO 6400; Auto range configurable. Sony’s exact table differs from Photo Review’s ISO comparison table.
Image processor–BIONZ with noise reduction in the RAW processing stage
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst2.5 fps5 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 unsupportedInterchangeable Sony A-mount; compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses; kit optics are separate from body specifications
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 illuminatorTTL phase detection with 11 points, centre dual-cross sensor and additional F2.8 precision sensor; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; selectable Eye-Start AF; EV 0–18 detection at ISO 100; dedicated AF-assist lamp
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 secondElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second with stabilisation off or 1/200 second with it on; Sony rates durability at approximately 100,000 cycles
Burst detailApproximately 2.5 fps; self-timer and optional ML-L3 delayed or immediate infrared remote releaseUp to 5 fps Hi or 3 fps Lo; Sony’s Japanese table claims 16 Extra Fine JPEGs, 18 RAW, 25 cRAW or 12 RAW/cRAW+JPEG frames; Standard/Fine JPEGs can continue to card capacity. Shooting conditions and card speed affect results; PhotographyBlog lists lower RAW/cRAW buffer counts.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation. The pictured original 18–55mm ED II kit lens has no VRSuper SteadyShot sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and shooting conditions; excludes Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X–1X F1.7–2.8
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 shoeBuilt-in pop-up flash with guide number 12 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; PC sync terminal; compatible external flashes support wireless and high-speed sync
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto and scene modes; 420-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation in one-third stopsProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual exposure; scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted or spot metering; ±3 EV compensation in 1/2- or 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer, 14 Creative Styles, Quick Navi and three saved shooting setups
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size2.5″3″
Screen dots230,000921,600
TouchscreenNo–
Tilting screenNo–
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 subpixelsFixed 3.0-inch Xtra Fine TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating; 921,600 dots count colour subpixels; shooting settings appear on the rear screen rather than a top status LCD
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.80× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 18 mm eyepointFixed eye-level pentaprism; approximately 95% coverage and 0.9× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; Spherical Acute Matte focusing screen; optical depth-of-field preview
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)470 photographs650 photographs
Body weight475 g690 g
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 1 December 2006; Nikon USA announced it on 16 November 2006 with US availability beginning DecemberSony China announced retail for the end of September 2007; month precision retained. Sony Japan’s revised press release gives 9 November 2007, moved forward from 16 November.
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC card slot; MMC unsupportedSeparate CompactFlash Type I/II (UDMA Mode 5) and Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo slots; Microdrive support; recording medium selected by the user
PortsHi-Speed USB and NTSC/PAL video output; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed; HDMI Type C mini for still-image playback; NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector, flash sync and DC input; supplied software supports computer remote control
Battery life detailEN-EL9 rechargeable lithium-ion battery; Nikon USA lists approximately 470 CIPA photographs per chargeNP-FM500H; Sony CIPA claim approximately 650 photographs with built-in flash used for half the shots; optional VG-C70AM grip holds two batteries. PhotographyBlog’s NP-FM55H reference is contradicted by Sony’s explicit incompatibility note.
ChargingExternal MH-23 quick charger; optional EH-5 mains adapter with EP-5 power connectorSupplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/charger
DimensionsApproximately 126 × 94 × 64 mmApproximately 141.7 × 104.8 × 79.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 475 g excluding battery, SD card and body capApproximately 690 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; loaded weight not published in Sony’s table
Materials–Magnesium-alloy front and upper covers with aluminium internal chassis; seals around controls and card door reduce dust and moisture ingress, without guaranteeing waterproofing
ColoursBlack or silver; regional kit availability variesBlack
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-ROMNP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger and power cord, RMT-DSLR1 wireless remote, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyepiece cover and cup, body and shoe caps, software CD
Video
Video detailNo movie recording or live-view composition; NTSC/PAL output is for playbackStill-image DSLR without video recording or rear-screen live view (PhotographyBlog and Photo Review)

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