Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D40

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M3 and Nikon D40. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS M3 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D40 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS M3 were released 2015 and Nikon D40 was released 2006. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M3 2015
Nikon D40 2006

Type of camera

Canon EOS M3 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D40 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS M3 has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D40 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 M3 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D40 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 M3 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D40 has 6 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS M3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D40 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Canon EOS M3 has a 299 % larger resolution than Nikon D40. 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 M3 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40. Canon EOS M3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D40 has 200 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M3 100-12800
Nikon D40 200-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS M3 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D40 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D40 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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M3 belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M3
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D40

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS M3 can shoot up to 4,2 pictures per seconds and Nikon D40 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M3 4,2
Nikon D40 2,5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS M3. Unfortunately Nikon D40 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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.

Nikon D40 weighs 522 gr (equal to 1.15 lb) which is 43% heavier than Canon EOS M3 and its 366 gr (or 0.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M3 366 gr
0.81 lb
Nikon D40 522 gr
1.15 lb

Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D40 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M3 and Nikon D40, 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 M3
Nikon D40
Name Canon EOS M3 Nikon D40
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D40
Release Year 2015 2006
Release Date 2015-02-06 2006-11-16
MSRP 679 USD 729 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D40
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D40
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 6 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 6 EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D40
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 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 M3
Nikon D40
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 49 3
Lens Mount Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 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 M3
Nikon D40
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 2,5”
Screen dots 1040000 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type ClearView II TFT-LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D40
Frames per second 4,2 fps 2,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 0 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/0 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 5 meters 17 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D40
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D40
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D40
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
No
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D40
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 250 shots 470 shots
Width 111 mm 124 mm
Height 68 mm 94 mm
Depth 44 mm 64 mm
Weight 366 gram 522 gram