Nikon D40 vs Nikon D50

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D40 and Nikon D50. 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 D50 was released 2005. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D40 2006
Nikon D50 2005

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 D50 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

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Nikon D40 has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D50 has 6 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 D50 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

ISO range

Nikon D40 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D50. Nikon D40 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 3200 while Nikon D50 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D40 200-3200
Nikon D50 200-1600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D50 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.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D40
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D50

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 D50 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D40 2,5
Nikon D50 2,5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Nikon D40 or Nikon D50 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.

Nikon D50 weighs 620 gr (equal to 1.37 lb) which is 19% heavier than Nikon D40 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D40 522 gr
1.15 lb
Nikon D50 620 gr
1.37 lb

Nikon D40 vs Nikon D50 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D40 and Nikon D50, 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 D50
Name Nikon D40 Nikon D50
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D40
Nikon D50
Release Year 2006 2005
Release Date 2006-11-16 2005-04-20
MSRP 729 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D40
Nikon D50
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D40
Nikon D50
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 CCD
Resolution 3008 x 2000 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 6 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED
Image
Nikon D40
Nikon D50
ISO Range 200 - 3200 200 - 1600
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
Nikon D40
Nikon D50
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 3 5
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 D50
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2,5” 2”
Screen dots 230000 130000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D40
Nikon D50
Frames per second 2,5 fps 2,5 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 11 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 1/2 EV, 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D40
Nikon D50
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
Nikon D40
Nikon D50
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D40
Nikon D50
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D40
Nikon D50
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Nikon EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots 400 shots
Width 124 mm 133 mm
Height 94 mm 102 mm
Depth 64 mm 76 mm
Weight 522 gram 620 gram