Nikon D40 vs Nikon D3300

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D40 and Nikon D3300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D40 were released 2006 and Nikon D3300 was released 2014. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D40 2006
Nikon D3300 2014

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D40 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3300 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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D40 has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3300 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D40 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000
Nikon D3300 24 MP
24064000 pixels
6016 x 4000

Nikon D3300 has a 300 % 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

Nikon D3300 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D40. Nikon D3300 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D40 has 200 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D40 200-3200
Nikon D3300 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Neither of these two cameras has a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that supports autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own, and often they rely on the cameras providing this autofocus motor but since these two camera models do not have this either it will result in no autofocus is possible.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D40
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3300

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D40 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3300 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D40 2,5
Nikon D3300 5

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D3300. Sadly, the Nikon D40 does not support this.

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 21% heavier than Nikon D3300 and its 430 gr (or 0.95 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D40 522 gr
1.15 lb
Nikon D3300 430 gr
0.95 lb

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D3300 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D40 and Nikon D3300, 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
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
Name Nikon D40 Nikon D3300
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
Release Year 2006 2014
Release Date 2006-11-16 2014-01-07
MSRP 729 USD 649 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 3008 x 2000 pixels 6016 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED 4
Image
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
ISO Range 200 - 3200 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
Autofocus Motor No No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 3 11
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2,5” 3”
Screen dots 230000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD (160 degree viewing angle)
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
Frames per second 2,5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 17 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional through WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
Yes (Optional)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D40
Nikon D3300
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots 700 shots
Width 124 mm 124 mm
Height 94 mm 98 mm
Depth 64 mm 76 mm
Weight 522 gram 430 gram