Updated (September, 2010): Compare the Canon EOS 40D vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D90

62

Winner

Nikon D90

"Fast Autofocus with useful control options"
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's auto-focus
"The D90 feels very comfortable and natural, with a good grip and logical, ergonomic, button placement."
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's feel

Reasons to buy the Nikon D90

Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
12.5 EV
Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.63x
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Canon EOS 40D

41

Runner-up

Canon EOS 40D

"Good nine point auto focus system, works well even in low light"
dpreview.com | talking about the 40D's auto-focus
"This is a 'well sorted camera'. It feels well rounded - the result of years of evolutionary improvement, it delivers in almost every area, and it inspires confidence."
dpreview.com | talking about the 40D's overall-performance

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 40D

Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Fastest shutter speed
Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second

differences

Advantages of the Canon 40D

Continuous shooting Shoots faster 6.5 fps vs 4.5 fps
Help
More than 40% faster continuous shooting
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
2x faster max shutter speed
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3"
Help
Almost the same
Canon EOS 40D Learn more about
the Canon 40D

Advantages of the Nikon D90

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 930k dots vs 230k dots
Help
More than 4x higher resolution screen
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 11.3 EV
Help
1.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
Overall image quality Better image quality 73.0 vs 64.0
Help
More than 10% better image quality
Color depth Better color depth 22.7 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.6 more bits of color
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 24fps vs None
Help
Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 977 ISO vs 703 ISO
Help
The D90 has a slight edge (0.5 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.63x vs 0.59x
Help
Around 20% larger viewfinder
True resolution Higher true resolution 12.2 MP vs 10.1 MP
Help
Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 22.2x14.8mm
Help
More than 10% larger sensor
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 96% vs 95%
Help
Almost the same
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
Help
Almost the same
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 3,200 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
The D90's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Size Slightly smaller 132x103x77 mm vs 146x108x74 mm
Help
More than 10% smaller
Weight Lighter 703 g vs 822 g
Help
More than 10% lighter
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 40D Canon EOS 40D
41 vs 62
Explain scores
Nikon D90 Nikon D90
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D90. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a entry-level DSLR.

advice

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0
votes
by Kelly-Yu 6 days ago
Nikon D90 vs Sony SLT A57

beginner. likes to play around with features unsure about electronic viewfinder

0
votes
by Amauri-Di-Maia this month
Canon 40D vs Canon 500D

In 40D I love the body construction Metal and I like heavy cameras! Other thing I appreciate is ...

0
votes
by Howard-Ridge last month
Nikon D40 vs Nikon D90

Was a very keen amateur photographer in the old days 35mm and had a few dslrs.

1
votes
by Lance-Villanueva-Ramos last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Beginner,capturing the moment of different events

2 people recommend the Nikon D3100:

" D3100 is going to have better video capabilities which you outlined as a need, image quality wil..."

"The D3100 is better for beginners because it has a great guide that will help you set up the camer..."

1
votes
by Kate-Hughes 5 days ago
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

I am a beginner is DSLR photography & have been researching entry level models. I kep coming bac...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" Hi Kate, Since you are a beginner in DSLR photography and it seems you have a budget, I would..."

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
40D:162 lenses
D90:169 lenses
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
40D:95%
D90:96%
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
40D:3,200 ISO
D90:6,400 ISO
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
40D:10.1 MP
D90:12.2 MP
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
40D:1,600 ISO
D90:3,200 ISO
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Movie format One shoots movies Help
40D:None
D90:720p @ 24fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Thickness Is thicker
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Has a lower quality type of viewfinder
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,620 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Weight Is slightly heavier

Canon EOS 40D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 40D.

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

True resolution Much higher true resolution
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Viewfinder size Significantly smaller viewfinder
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

appearance

Canon EOS 40D Nikon D90
Canon EOS 40D Nikon D90
Canon EOS 40D Nikon D90

discussion

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