What is the pixel pitch of the Nikon D40?
The Nikon D40 provides 6 megapixels from an APS-C sensor. This pixel density gives rise to a size of the individual pixel of 7.85µm.
The pixel size or pixel pitch can be calculated by dividing the sensor area by the pixel count and then taking the square root. In particular, the sensor in the Nikon D40 measures 23.7mm in width and 15.6mm in height, so that the total imaging area of the sensor amounts to 370 mm2. Moreover, the D40 has 3 008 horizontal pixels and 2 000 vertical pixels, for a total of 6 megapixels. Then, the size (height or width) of each individual pixel can be calculated as the square root of the ratio of the sensor area (370 mm2) to the MP count (6 016 000).
Larger pixels provide advantages with respect to gathering light, particularly in low-light situations. Large pixels notably have a better signal to noise ratio, meaning that they can better differentiate between incoming photons and the noisy signals that the internal processes of the camera create. As a result, big pixels are particularly helpful to the photographer when shooting with high ISO settings.
Sensor specs and performance
The table below compares the sensor specs of the Nikon D40 to those of several similar cameras. The reported DXO values are indicators of the sensor's imaging quality (higher is better), covering color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape), and high-ISO noise (DXO Sports). Larger sensor cameras tend to outperform cameras of the same generation that are equipped with a smaller imager. On the other hand, larger sensors are more expensive and require bigger and heavier lenses than smaller light receptors.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Nikon D40 | APS-C | 6.0 | 3008 | 2000 | none | 21.0 | 11.0 | 561 | 56 | |
2. | Nikon D40X | APS-C | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | none | 22.4 | 11.4 | 516 | 63 | |
3. | Nikon D50 | APS-C | 6.0 | 3008 | 2000 | none | 20.9 | 10.8 | 560 | 55 | |
4. | Nikon D60 | APS-C | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | none | 22.5 | 11.4 | 562 | 65 | |
5. | Nikon D70 | APS-C | 6.0 | 3008 | 2000 | none | 20.4 | 10.3 | 529 | 50 | |
6. | Nikon D70s | APS-C | 6.0 | 3008 | 2000 | none | 20.4 | 10.3 | 529 | 50 | |
7. | Nikon D80 | APS-C | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | none | 22.1 | 11.2 | 524 | 61 | |
8. | Nikon D3000 | APS-C | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | none | 22.3 | 11.1 | 563 | 62 | |
9. | Nikon D3100 | APS-C | 14.2 | 4608 | 3072 | 1080/24p | 22.5 | 11.3 | 919 | 67 | |
10. | Nikon D3300 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.3 | 12.8 | 1385 | 82 | |
11. | Nikon D3400 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.8 | 13.9 | 1192 | 86 |
Further information on the sensor in the Nikon D40 and the camera's operation can be found in the camera manual.
In the United States, the D40 was initially launched in November 2006 at a price of $499.
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
Camera Model | Nikon D40 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | |
Camera Lens | Nikon F mount lenses | |
Launch Date | November 2006 | |
Launch Price | USD 499 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CCD | |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 23.7 x 15.6 mm | |
Sensor Area | 370 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 28.4 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.5x | |
Sensor Resolution | 6 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 3 008 x 2 000 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 7.85 μm | |
Pixel Density | 1.63 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | no Video | |
ISO Setting | 200 - 1 600 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 200 - 3 200 ISO | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 56 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 21.0 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 11.0 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 561 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.53x | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Size | 2.5 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 230k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 2.5 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 50 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDHC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | no | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Nikon EN-EL9 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 470 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
124 x 94 x 64 mm (4.9 x 3.7 x 2.5 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 522 g (18.4 oz) |
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