Upgrade Guide
Nikon D40→Nikon Df
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The Df improves across 4 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most D40 owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the Df
-
Resolution16MP vs 6MP (+10MP)
-
Burst rate5.5fps vs 2.5fps
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Battery life~1400 shots (CIPA) vs ~470 shots (CIPA)
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Generation7 years newer (2013 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 | Df | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +1.0 | ||
| Street | -0.5 | ||
| Travel | -0.2 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +1.5 | ||
| Documentary | +0.5 | ||
| Sports & Action | +1.1 | ||
| Landscape | +1.5 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.9 | ||
| Casual | +1.6 | ||
| Food | +0.8 | ||
| Macro | +0.5 | ||
| Architecture | +1.5 | ||
| Astrophotography | +1.1 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D40 | Df | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £159 | |
| Released | 2006 | 2013 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 6.1MP APS-C (DX) CCD | 16.2MP full-frame CMOS | |
| Resolution | 6MP | 16MP | ↑ |
| Video | No video | No video (stills only) | |
| Autofocus | 3-point phase-detect AF (AF-S / AF-I lenses only - no body AF motor) | 39-point phase-detect AF (Multi-CAM 4800); contrast AF with face detection in live view | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 2.5fps | 5.5fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~1400 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 475g (with battery) | 765g (with battery) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.8x | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x | |
| Screen | 2.5" fixed LCD, 230k dots | 3.2" fixed LCD, 921k dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F | |
| 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 Df against your specific genres — not just specs.
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