Product Summary
- Model name: Nikon D4
- Release Date:February 2012
- Focus Type: Autofocus
- Format : Full Frame
- Purchase options: Adorama | Amazon | B&H
What’s new in the Nikon D4
- Magnesium-alloy body with full weather sealing
- A new 16.2 megapixels FX format CMOS sensor
- 51-point Auto-focusing system
- Superior 10 fps shooting speed with a continuous burst lasting for more than 200 full resolution images
- ISO range of 100-12800. Further expanded from 50-204,800
- Compatible with XQD memory cards, the next generation in storage media with a data transfer rate of 125/MB per second.
- An extremely fast start-up time of 0.12 seconds and shutter release lag time of 0.042
- Active D-lighting
- HDR imaging capabilities
- The initial auto-focusing is blazingly fast because of the Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX auto-focus sensor module
- Shutter-cycle of 400,000
- Auto shutter speed and ISO detection for specific lenses
- Glass prism optical viewfinder
- Dual-axis virtual horizon
- 3D color matrix metering III
Features explained
The flagship D4 is Nikon’s top-of-the-line DSLR for professional photographers looking to shoot sports, action and anything else under the sun.
The 51-point auto-focusing system
The D4’s 51-point auto-focusing system is the key to superior sharp photos in most lighting conditions. The central 15 AF points performs as cross-type for lenses equal or faster than f/5.6. For any other lenses slower than f/5.6 but faster than f/8 15 AF points are available with the central 9 working as cross-type. For lenses slower than f/8 only the central horizontal line with one point each on other side of the central point on the vertical line is available. The central point serves as the only cross type AF point.
Auto-focusing speed
The Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX auto-focus sensor module is at the heart of the blazingly fast auto-focusing system. Together with the 51 AF points the D4 can auto-focus with pin-point accuracy even in the most dimly lit conditions.
Continuous shooting speed
The D4 has a continuous shooting speed of 11 fps with locked focus and exposure on. However with metering and AE/AF on for each frame the D4 still churns out a fantastic 10 fps in full resolution.
Videos & stills
The D4 shoots FX format large JPEGs at 4,928 × 3,280 pixels. It can shoot RAW (NEF) in 12 or 14 bits and simultaneously shoot NEF+JPEG. It also shoots full HD videos at 30 and 24 fps. In 720p HD it shoots videos in 30 and 60 fps. Video format recorded are in .mov files and either of H.264 or MPEG4 compression system is used. Although the built-in mic is monaural there are options to plug in an external stereo mic jack via the 3.5mm plug. There is also a 24–36,000x time-lapse mode for shooting time lapse photography.
The viewfinder & the LCD monitor
The eye-level pentaprism viewfinder has a field of view coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.7x. On DX format setting the viewfinder has a approx 97% coverage. The eyepoint is 18mm.
The D4 boasts a 3.2” LCD TFT monitor with 921,000 dots resolution. Even in bright sunshine the ambient brightness sensor ensures that the images displayed & reviewed are sharp and easy to view. It allows up to 46x enlargements for reviewing pictures shot at the highest resolution. The monitor has a wide 170˚ viewing angle.
Storage
The D4 comes with dual card slots. One of them is for the standard CF card compatible with UDMA 7 and the other one is for a XQD card. the two cards can be used to either record the same images / data, or used as a complimentary with each other like recording in one when the other is full, or record RAW in one and the JPEG in the other etc.
Dual-axis virtual horizon
The D4 comes with both a viewfinder (1degree increments) and a LCD monitor (5 ˚ increments) based dual-axis virtual horizon detection function that operates to let the photographer know whether he is perfectly level side to side and front to back. This is ideally suitable for professional photographers.
Other ports and compliances
The D4 comes with a Ethernet port for transferring of images to a computer or central ftp server via a RJ45 jack. There is also a 3.5mm jack terminal for plugging an external stereo mic jack. There is also a terminal for plugging a wireless transmitter WT-5A/B/C/D. the camera is also compliant with an optional remote control, GPS Unit GP-1.
Durability in severe environmental conditions
The D4’s body is comprised of strong-yet-lightweight magnesium alloy. This assures the camera’s superb reliability even in the most demanding environmental conditions
What are missing / wish list
Launched in early 2012, the D4 is the new flagship for FX format Nikon DSLRs. The engineers at Nikon have packed in almost every tiny improvement over the last few years. The ergonomics of the camera are pretty much the similar as well as the general feel in the hands; however some buttons and dials have switched places such as the new video recording button has taken the place where the old mode dial used to be. The advanced mode dial has not been improved. These are some bits of examples where Nikon could have improved the camera. However they have also done some good changes like the new function button. The fact that it can be separately programmed is wonderful.
Similar products
The older D3X and the rival Canon 1DX are two cameras that can be looked into. In fact, if you are not married to nikon with superior specs & better performance the Canon EOS 1DX is a clear winner.
Should I buy it?
At $6000 the D4 is certainly the best Nikon that your money can buy if you are a Nikon Shooter. This is a tool that is best used by the hands by a professional who knows what he is doing and can bring out the best in it. In the hands of an amateur who don’t know how to shoot, don’t expect that if you spend an insane amount of money you can start to shoot like a pro. So if you’re a pro and you absolutely need this beast, go right ahead and buy it. If not, then try looking at something like the D600, which is the smallest Nikon full frame DSLR retailing at around $2000 as the better choice.
Sample Images by Nikon D4 on Flickr
Nikon D4 Specifications
| mage sensor | 36.0 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor (Nikon FX format) |
| Total pixels | 16.6 million |
| Dust-reduction system | Image sensor cleaning, Image Dust Off reference data (requires optional Capture NX 2 software) |
| Effective pixels | 16.2 million |
| Lens mount | Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts) |
| Image size (pixels) 1 | FX format (36×24): 4,928 x 3,280 [L], 3,696 x 2,456 [M], 2,464 x 1,640 [S] 1.2x (30×20): 4,096 x 2,720 [L], 3,072 x 2,040 [M], 2,048 x 1,360 [S] DX format (24×16): 3,200 x 2,128 [L], 2,400 x 1,592 (M), 1,600 x 1,064 (S) 5:4 (30×24): 4,096 x 3,280 [L], 3,072 x 2,456 [M], 2,048 x 1,640 [S] FX-format photographs taken in movie live view (16:9): 4,928 x 2,768 [L], 3,696 x 2,072 [M], 2,464 x 1,384 [S] |
| Image size (pixels) 2 | DX-format photographs taken in movie live view (16:9): 3,200 x 1,792 [L], 2,400 x 1,344 [M], 1,600 x 896 [S] FX-format photographs taken in movie live view (3:2): 4,928 x 3,280 [L], 3,696 x 2,456 [M], 2,464 x 1,640 [S] DX-format photographs taken in movie live view (3:2): 3,200 x 2,128 [L], 2,400 x 1,592 [M], 1,600 x 1,064 [S] A DX-based format is used for photographs taken using the DX (24×16) 1.5x image area; an FX-based format is used for all other photographs |
| Storage File format | NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed or uncompressed TIFF (RGB) JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8) or basic (approx. 1:16) compression (Size priority); Optimal quality compression available NEF (RAW)+JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats |
| Picture Control System | Can be selected from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape; selected Picture Control can be modified; storage for custom Picture Controls |
| Media | XQD and Type I CompactFlash memory cards (UDMA compliant) |
| Dual card slots | Either card can be used for primary or backup storage or for separate storage of NEF (RAW) and JPEG images; pictures can be copied between cards |
| File system | DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras) 2.3, PictBridge |
| Viewfinder | Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder |
| Frame coverage | FX (36×24): Approx. 100% horizontal and 100% vertical 1.2x (30×20): Approx. 97% horizontal and 97% vertical DX (24×16): Approx. 97% horizontal and 97% vertical 5:4 (30×24): Approx. 97% horizontal and 100% vertical |
| Magnification | Approx. 0.7x (50 mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0 m-1) |
| Eyepoint | 18 mm (-1.0 m-1; from center surface of viewfinder eyepiece lens) |
| Diopter adjustment | -3 to +1 m-1 |
| Focusing screen | Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VIII screen with AF area brackets and framing grid |
| Reflex mirror | Quick return |
| Depth-of-field preview | When Pv button is pressed, lens aperture is stopped down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or by camera (P and S modes) |
| Lens aperture | Instant return, electronically controlled |
| Compatible lenses | Compatible with AF NIKKOR lenses, including type G and D lenses (some restrictions apply to PC-NIKKOR lenses), DX lenses [using DX (24×16) image area], AI-P NIKKOR lenses and non-CPU AI lenses (exposure modes A and M only); IX-NIKKOR lenses, lenses for the F3AF and non-AI lenses cannot be used |
| Shutter Type | Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter |
| Speed | 1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb, X250 |
| Flash sync speed | X=1/250 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/250 s or slower |
| Release modes | S (single frame), CL (continuous low speed), CH (continuous high speed), Q (quiet shutter-release), (self-timer), MUP (mirror up) |
| Frame advance rate | Up to approx. 10 fps (CL) or approx. 10 to 11 fps (CH) |
| Self-timer | 2 s, 5 s, 10 s, 20 s; 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 s |
| Exposure Metering | TTL exposure metering using RGB sensor with approx. 91K (91,000) pixels |
| Metering method 1 | Matrix: 3D color matrix metering III (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering III (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame; diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 12-mm circle or average of entire frame) |
| Metering method 2 | Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used) |
| Range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20deg.C) | Matrix or center-weighted metering: -1 to 20 EV Spot metering: 2 to 20 EV |
| Exposure meter coupling | Combined CPU and AI |
| Exposure modes | Programmed auto with flexible program (P); shutter-priority auto (S); aperture-priority auto (A); manual (M) |
| Exposure compensation | -5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV |
| Exposure bracketing | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV |
| Exposure lock | Luminosity locked at detected value with the center of the sub-selector |
| Exposure: ISO sensitivity | ISO 100 to 12800 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 1 EV (ISO 50 equivalent) below ISO 100 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 2, 3 or 4 EV (ISO 204800 equivalent) above ISO 12800; auto ISO sensitivity control available |
| Active D-Lighting | Can be selected from auto, extra high +2/+1, high, normal, low or off |
| ADL bracketing | 2 frames using selected value for one frame or 3 to 5 frames using preset values for all frames |
| Autofocus | Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, fine-tuning, 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors; f/8 supported by 11 sensors) |
| Detection range | -2 to +19 EV (ISO 100, 20deg.C/68deg.F) |
| Focus: Lens servo | Autofocus (AF): Single-servo autofocus (AF-S); continuous-servo autofocus (AF-C); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status Manual focus (M): Electronic rangefinder can be used |
| Focus point | Can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points |
| Focus: AF-area modes | Single-point AF, 9-, 21- or 51-point dynamic-area AF, 3D-tracking, auto-area AF |
| Focus lock | Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo autofocus) or by pressing the center of the sub-selector |
| Flash control | TTL: i-TTL flash control using RGB sensor with approx. 91K (91,000) pixels is available with SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600 or SB-400; i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR is used with matrix and center-weighted metering, standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR with spot metering |
| Flash modes | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync; auto FP high-speed sync supported |
| Flash compensation | -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV |
| Flash bracketing | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV |
| Flash-ready indicator | Lights when optional flash unit is fully charged; flashes after flash is fired at full output |
| Accessory shoe | ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock |
| Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) | Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-910, SB-900, SB-800 or SB-700 as a master flash and SB-600 or SB-R200 as remotes, or SU-800 as commander; auto FP high-speed sync and modeling illumination supported with all CLS-compatible flash units except SB-400; Flash Color Information Communication and FV lock supported with all CLS-compatible flash units |
| Sync terminal | ISO 519 sync terminal with locking thread |
| White balance | Auto (2 types), incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual (up to 4 values can be stored), choose color temperature (2,500 K to 10,000 K); all with fine-tuning |
| White balance bracketing | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1, 2 or 3 |
| Live View Modes | Live view photography (quiet or silent), movie live view |
| Live View: Lens servo | Autofocus (AF): Single-servo autofocus (AF-S); full-time servo autofocus (AF-F) Manual focus (M) |
| Live View: AF-area modes | Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, subject-tracking AF |
| Live View: Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame (camera selects focus point automatically when face-priority AF or subject-tracking AF is selected) |
| Movie Metering | TTL exposure metering using main image sensor |
| Frame size (pixels) and frame rate | 1,920 x 1,080; 30p (progressive), 25p, 24p 1,920 x 1,080 crop; 30p, 25p, 24p 1,280 x 720; 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p 640 x 424; 30p, 25p Actual frame rates for 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25 and 23.976 fps respectively; all options support both high and normal image quality |
| Movie: File format | MOV |
| Video compression | H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding |
| Audio recording format | Linear PCM |
| Audio recording device | Built-in monaural or external stereo microphone; sensitivity adjustable |
| Movie: ISO sensitivity | Automatically adjusted in the range ISO 200 to 12800 or ISO 200 to Hi 4 |
| Maximum length | Approx. 29 min. 59 s (20 min. depending on frame size/rate and movie quality settings) |
| Monitor | 8-cm (3.2-in.), approx. 921k-dot (VGA) TFT LCD with 170deg.viewing angle, approx. 100% frame coverage and automatic monitor brightness control using ambient brightness sensor |
| Playback | Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images) playback with playback zoom, movie playback, photo and/or movie slide shows, histogram display, highlights, photo information, GPS data display, auto image rotation, voice memo input and playback and IPTC information embedding and display |
| USB | Hi-Speed USB |
| HDMI output | Type C mini-pin HDMI connector; can be used simultaneously with camera monitor |
| Audio input | Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5-mm diameter; plug-in power supported) |
| Audio output | Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5-mm diameter) |
| 10-pin remote terminal | Can be used to connect optional remote control, GPS Unit GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional GPS Adapter Cord MC-35 and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector) |
| Ethernet | RJ-45 connector |
| Peripheral connector | For Wireless Transmitter WT-5A/B/C/D |
| Supported languages | Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian |
| Battery | One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL18 |
| AC adapter | AC Adapter EH-6b; requires Power Connector EP-6 (available separately) |
| Tripod socket | 1/4 in. (ISO 1222) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 40deg.C/32 to 104deg.F |
| Operating humidity | Less than 85% (no condensation) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | Approx. 160 x 156.5 x 90.5 mm/6.3 x 6.2 x 3.6 in. |
| Weight | Approx. 1,340 g/2 lb 15.3 oz with battery and XQD memory card but without body cap and accessory shoe cover; approx. 1,180 g/2 lb 9.6 oz (camera body only) |
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