Canon EOS 5D vs Nikon D40x

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D and Nikon D40x. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D40x is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 5D were released 2005 and Nikon D40x was released 2007. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D 2005
Nikon D40x 2007

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 5D has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D40x has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 5D 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D40x 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 5D has a 12,7 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D40x has 10 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D 12,7 MP
12719616 pixels
4368 x 2912
Nikon D40x 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592

Canon EOS 5D has a 27 % larger resolution than Nikon D40x. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 5D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40x. Canon EOS 5D has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 3200 while Nikon D40x has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D 50-3200
Nikon D40x 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 5D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D40x does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D40x there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D40x

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D40x can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D 3
Nikon D40x 3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Canon EOS 5D or Nikon D40x can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 5D weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 71% heavier than Nikon D40x and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D 895 gr
1.97 lb
Nikon D40x 522 gr
1.15 lb

Canon EOS 5D vs Nikon D40x Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D and Nikon D40x, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
Name Canon EOS 5D Nikon D40x
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
Release Year 2005 2007
Release Date 2005-08-22 2007-03-06
MSRP 3299 USD 729 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 4368 x 2912 pixels 3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 12,7 MP 10 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
ISO Range 50 - 3200 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 9 3
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2,5” 2,5”
Screen dots 230000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT liquid-crystal color LCD N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
Frames per second 3 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 17 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D40x
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 520 shots
Width 152 mm 124 mm
Height 113 mm 94 mm
Depth 75 mm 64 mm
Weight 895 gram 522 gram