Canon 1100D vs Nikon D40

The Canon EOS 1100D (called Canon T3 in some regions) and the Nikon D40 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2011 and November 2006. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 6 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 1100D		Nikon D40
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses		Nikon F mount lenses
12.2 MP, APS-C Sensor		6 MP, APS-C Sensor
720/30p Video		no Video
ISO 100-6,400		ISO 200-1,600 (200 - 3,200)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
2.7 LCD, 230k dots		2.5 LCD, 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second		2.5 shutter flaps per second
700 shots per battery charge		470 shots per battery charge
130 x 100 x 78 mm, 495 g		124 x 94 x 64 mm, 522 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 1100D and the Nikon D40? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 1100D and the Nikon D40 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D40 is notably smaller (10 percent) than the Canon 1100D. However, the D40 is markedly heavier (5 percent) than the 1100D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 1100D nor the D40 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1100D) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D40).

Concerning battery life, the 1100D gets 700 shots out of its LP-E10 battery, while the D40 can take 470 images on a single charge of its EN-EL9 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon 1100D	5.1 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	17.5 oz	700	n	Feb 2011	449
	Nikon D40	4.9 in	3.7 in	2.5 in	18.4 oz	470	n	Nov 2006	499
	Canon 2000D	5.1 in	4.0 in	3.1 in	16.8 oz	500	n	Feb 2018	449
	Canon 4000D	5.1 in	4.0 in	3.0 in	15.4 oz	500	n	Feb 2018	399
	Canon 1200D	5.1 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	16.9 oz	500	n	Feb 2014	449
	Canon 650D	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.3 oz	440	n	Jun 2012	849
	Canon G1 X	4.6 in	3.2 in	2.6 in	18.8 oz	250	n	Jan 2012	799
	Canon SX50	4.8 in	3.4 in	4.2 in	21.0 oz	315	n	Sep 2012	429
	Canon 600D	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.1 oz	440	n	Feb 2011	599
	Canon 550D	5.1 in	3.9 in	2.4 in	18.7 oz	440	n	Feb 2010	699
	Canon 450D	5.1 in	3.9 in	2.4 in	18.5 oz	500	n	Jan 2008	799
	Canon 1000D	5.0 in	3.9 in	2.6 in	17.7 oz	500	n	Jun 2008	449
	Nikon D3400	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.7 oz	1200	n	Aug 2016	499
	Nikon D3300	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.2 oz	700	n	Jan 2014	499
	Nikon D3100	4.9 in	3.8 in	3.0 in	17.8 oz	550	n	Aug 2010	599
	Nikon D40X	4.9 in	3.7 in	2.5 in	18.4 oz	520	n	Mar 2007	729
	Nikon D50	5.2 in	4.0 in	3.0 in	21.9 oz	400	n	Apr 2005	749
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Metric

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The 1100D was somewhat cheaper (by 10 percent) than the D40 at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D40 is 15 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (1100D) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon 1100D offers a higher resolution of 12.2 megapixels, compared with 6 MP of the Nikon D40. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 5.15μm versus 7.85μm for the D40). However, it should be noted that the 1100D is much more recent (by 4 years and 2 months) than the D40, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 1100D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 1100D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.3 x 36.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 17.1 x 11.4 inches or 43.4 x 28.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 14.2 x 9.5 inches or 36.2 x 24.1 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D40 are 15 x 10 inches or 38.2 x 25.4 cm for good quality, 12 x 8 inches or 30.6 x 20.3 cm for very good quality, and 10 x 6.7 inches or 25.5 x 16.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 1100D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D40 are ISO 200 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 200-3200.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the 1100D has a notably higher overall DXO score than the D40 (overall score 6 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.9 bits higher color depth, and 0.4 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

	Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
	Canon 1100D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
	Nikon D40	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	21.0	11.0	561	56
	Canon 2000D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	11.9	1009	71
	Canon 4000D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.4	695	63
	Canon 1200D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
	Canon 650D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
	Canon G1 X	1.5-inch	14.2	4352	3264	1080/24p	21.7	10.8	644	60
	Canon SX50	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	20.3	11.2	179	47
	Canon 600D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	793	65
	Canon 550D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	784	66
	Canon 450D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	none	21.9	10.8	692	61
	Canon 1000D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	..	..	..	..
	Nikon D3400	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.8	13.9	1192	86
	Nikon D3300	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.3	12.8	1385	82
	Nikon D3100	APS-C	14.2	4608	3072	1080/24p	22.5	11.3	919	67
	Nikon D40X	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.4	11.4	516	63
	Nikon D50	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	20.9	10.8	560	55

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The 1100D indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the D40 does not. The highest resolution format that the 1100D can use is 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 1100D and the D40 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the D40 has a higher magnification than the one of the 1100D (0.53x vs 0.50x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 1100D, the Nikon D40, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

	Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
	Canon 1100D	optical	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Nikon D40	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5	Y	n
	Canon 2000D	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 4000D	optical	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 1200D	optical	n	3.0	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Canon 650D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon G1 X	optical	n	3.0	922	Swivel	n	1/4000s	1.9	Y	Y
	Canon SX50	202	n	3.0	461	swivel	n	1/2000s	2.2	Y	Y
	Canon 600D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.7	Y	n
	Canon 550D	optical	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.7	Y	n
	Canon 450D	optical	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5	Y	n
	Canon 1000D	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Nikon D3400	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D3300	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D3100	optical	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Nikon D40X	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Nikon D50	optical	n	2.0	130	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5	Y	n

The 1100D writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D40 uses SDHC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 1100D and Nikon D40 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

	Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
	Canon 1100D	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D40	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 2000D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon 4000D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Canon 1200D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 650D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon G1 X	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon SX50	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 600D	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 550D	Y	stereo	-	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 450D	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon 1000D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D3400	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	Y
	Nikon D3300	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D3100	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D40X	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D50	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

Both the 1100D and the D40 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The D40 was replaced by the Nikon D40X, while the 1100D was followed by the Canon 1200D. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 1100D and the Nikon D40? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 1100D:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (12.2 vs 6MP) with a 42% higher linear resolution.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (6 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.4 stops ISO advantage).
• Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 720/30p movies.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (2.7" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 2.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (700 versus 470) on a single battery charge.
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 2 months of technical progress since the D40 launch.

Reasons to prefer the Nikon D40:

• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.53x vs 0.50x).
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in November 2006).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 1100D is the clear winner of the match-up (8 : 2 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1100D and the Nikon D40 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 1100D and the D40 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Canon 1100D	80/100	69/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	449
	Nikon D40	81/100	+ +	o	5/5	4.5/5	Nov 2006	499
	Canon 2000D	o	..	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449
	Canon 4000D	o	..	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	399
	Canon 1200D	+	..	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449
	Canon 650D	+ +	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849
	Canon G1 X	+	76/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	799
	Canon SX50	+ +	72/100	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	Sep 2012	429
	Canon 600D	o	77/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	599
	Canon 550D	+ +	77/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2010	699
	Canon 450D	+ +	+ +	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	799
	Canon 1000D	82/100	+ +	3.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2008	449
	Nikon D3400	+	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2016	499
	Nikon D3300	+	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2014	499
	Nikon D3100	+ +	72/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	599
	Nikon D40X	79/100	+ +	4/5	o	4/5	Mar 2007	729
	Nikon D50	78/100	+ +	4/5	o	4.5/5	Apr 2005	749
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Canon 1100D vs Nikon D40

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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