Upgrade Guide
Nikon D40X→Nikon D500
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The D500 improves across 5 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most D40X owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the D500
-
Resolution21MP vs 10MP (+11MP)
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Weather sealingAdded — fully sealed body
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Burst rate10fps vs 3fps
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Battery life~1240 shots (CIPA) vs ~470 shots (CIPA)
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Generation9 years newer (2016 vs 2007)
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 | D40X | D500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +1.0 | ||
| Street | -0.5 | ||
| Travel | +0.2 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +2.9 | ||
| Documentary | +2.6 | ||
| Sports & Action | +2.6 | ||
| Landscape | +1.9 | ||
| Wildlife | +1.8 | ||
| Casual | +0.4 | ||
| Food | +1.5 | ||
| Macro | +0.9 | ||
| Architecture | +1.4 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.8 | ||
| Filmmaking | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D40X | D500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £258 used | |
| Released | 2007 | 2016 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 10.2MP APS-C (DX) CCD | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 10MP | 21MP | ↑ |
| Video | No video | 4K UHD/30p (1.5× crop), 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | 3-point phase-detect AF (AF-S / AF-I lenses only - no body AF motor) | 153-point phase-detect (99 cross-type, 55 selectable) 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 | 3fps | 10fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~1240 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 495g (with battery) | 860g (with battery) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Yes | ↑ |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.8x | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x | |
| Screen | 2.5" fixed LCD, 230k dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Dual slots: XQD + SD |
Compare side-by-side
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