Upgrade Guide
Nikon D40→Nikon D5500
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The D5500 improves across 4 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most D40 owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the D5500
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Resolution24MP vs 6MP (+18MP)
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Burst rate5fps vs 2.5fps
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Battery life~820 shots (CIPA) vs ~470 shots (CIPA)
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Generation9 years newer (2015 vs 2006)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | D40 | D5500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +1.2 | ||
| Street | +0.7 | ||
| Travel | +0.9 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +1.2 | ||
| Documentary | +1.3 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.9 | ||
| Landscape | +2.0 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.9 | ||
| Casual | +1.1 | ||
| Food | +2.3 | ||
| Macro | +1.6 | ||
| Architecture | +2.3 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.1 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D40 | D5500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £165 used | |
| Released | 2006 | 2015 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 6.1MP APS-C (DX) CCD | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 6MP | 24MP | ↑ |
| Video | No video | Full HD 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | 3-point phase-detect AF (AF-S / AF-I lenses only - no body AF motor) | 39-point phase-detect (9 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 2.5fps | 5fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~820 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 475g (with battery) | 470g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.8x | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.82x | |
| Screen | 2.5" fixed LCD, 230k dots | 3.2" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04M dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D5500 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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