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Nikon D40x vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD40xSonyAlpha DSLR-A700
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2007September 2007
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCCDCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution10.2 MP12.24 MP
Largest image3872 × 25924272 × 2848
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–1600100–3200
Sensor detailNikon DX primary-colour CCD with 10.2 million effective and 10.75 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 3872 × 2592 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 100–1600 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 burst3 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
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 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 3 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 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 13 at manual full output; 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)520 photographs650 photographs
Body weight495 g690 g
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 29 March 2007; Nikon USA announcement dated 5 March 2007 states US availability beginning AprilSony 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'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 documentsNP-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 495 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
ColoursBlackBlack
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-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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