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Nikon D40x vs Nikon D780

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD40xNikonD780
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2007January 2020
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CFull frame
Sensor typeCCDBackside-illuminated CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution10.2 MP24.5 MP
Largest image3872 × 25926048 × 4024
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–1600100–51200
Sensor detailNikon DX primary-colour CCD with 10.2 million effective and 10.75 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 3872 × 2592 pixels; Image Optimisation settings and in-camera retouching12/14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or ordinary compression; JPEG and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detailISO 100–1600 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 burst3 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.
ShutterElectronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; 1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third stops, Bulb and Time with optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/200 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 3 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 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 13 at manual full output; 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)520 photographs2260 photographs
Body weight495 g755 g
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 29 March 2007; Nikon USA announcement dated 5 March 2007 states US availability beginning AprilNikon 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's D40x manual (printed page 121) and original brochure specify approximately 520 CIPA photographs, corroborating the launch announcement. The manual tests single frames every 30 seconds with the 18–55mm ED II lens and flash every other shot. The current US product page lists 470 shots, conflicting with these exact-model documentsEN-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 495 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–
In the boxEN-EL9 battery, MH-23 charger, UC-E4 USB cable, AN-DC1 strap, 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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