How to Compare the Nikon D40 to the Canon 40D
Comparing the Nikon D40 to the Canon EOS 40D is not easy, given that one costs much more than the other. But there are still a few things to keep in mind. One is image quality and noise. How important is it to you to create the highest-quality image possible, which features do you need and which can you do without? The Canon EOS 40D has state-of-the-art technology, an amazing image processor and some useful utilities, which the Nikon 40D does not have.
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Instructions
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Decide if you need a light, comfortable camera that shoots good but not professional images. If you want something less expensive but very good, choose the Nikon D40. If you want a pro camera that is just a step below those $5,000 models but still delivers excellent picture quality, go with the Canon 40D.
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Look at the pixel capacity of each camera. Canon delivers 10 megapixels and Nikon 6.1 total megapixels. This means you can shoot magazine-quality pictures with both; however, top-end magazines may require more than the 6.1 megapixels the Nikon D40 delivers. A newspaper will not, and your average magazine won't, either. Will you outgrow the Nikon 40D too fast?
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Assess your shooting needs. Which shot do you normally take? Action, sports, close-ups, wildlife? Where will your pictures be published? Are you going to shoot photos for billboards or large images? The Canon 40D delivers better speed, less image noise, and larger images than the Nikon D40.
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Compare the fastest and slowest shutter speeds. The Canon 40D gives you 1/8000 sec to 30 sec exposures, the Nikon 1/4000 to 30 sec. The Canon is twice as fast. If you want to take high-speed photos or plan on layering for multi-exposures, the Canon is a better choice.
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Compare the accessories, flashes, lens and software offered by each. Nikon has several image-editing software packages, as well as some helpful in-camera editing abilities like red-eye removal, image overlay, monochrome and various other tones. The Canon offers these as well, along with a Live View mode that lets you use your computer to control your camera. Which ones will you use, and which ones do you really need?
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Decide whether the advanced features of the Canon, like a 6.5 fps shooting speed, are worth the extra expense. The Nikon offers 2.5 frames per second, and both offer instant image capture, or no delay on the shutter.
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Decide which glass is best for your shooting. Canon makes a very nice, very expensive lens, and so does Nikon. It may come down to cost. If you spend less on the camera body, you might be able to afford a better lens.
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Tips & Warnings
Always compare shutter speeds, megapixels, accessories and software when comparing digital cameras. Those are the most important elements that you cannot change. Image size isn't always important, unless you are shooting for very fancy magazines or larger billboards, because most lower-budget magazines will now accept a photo image in 6 megapixels, as long as it is 300 dpi. Often, you need to size an image down in order to submit it, anyway. On-camera editing is great if you prefer to skip the step of editing on your computer; so if that's important to you, pay close attention to what you can do on-camera and disregard the software packages.
