The Nikon D4s is FINALLY public! After months of rumors and random sightings of the camera, it has finally hit the market and is available for purchase. Everyone knew it was coming it was just a matter of guessing when it would be announced. Even Adobe leaked the D4s in the recent update to Camera Raw.
Just like the Nikon D4, the D4s will continue to be 16.2MP with a full frame sensor. But, the D4s will have the new EXPEED 4 processor which is supposedly going to be much faster than the previous one. The new processor speed allows for 1080p 60p video (finally). The new camera will also have XQD and CF card support with the ability to change sizes of the focusing point in Live View mode. Also, a timelapse mode will be in the camera that allows for up to 9,999 images to be taken. WOAH!
Some other features are the 11fps shooting speed, six preset white balances, five AF sensors used as an entire group, and also a face priority analysis which is able to be turned on or off. Let's also not forget the camera's ISO can go to 25,600 topped off with a 12 bit uncompressed RAW output. This camera is a tank.
Check out some of the true differences between the D4 and the D4s and see why it has it's hefty price tag of $6,496.95
D4s |
D4 |
Sensor and Resolution |
||
| Sensor | 36.0 x 23.9mm CMOS | 36.0 x 23.9mm CMOS |
| Effective Pixels |
Approx. 16.2 |
Approx. 16.2 |
| Resolution | 16.2MP FX-format CMOS sensor | 16.2MP FX-format CMOS sensor |
Image Quality |
||
| Image Processing Engine |
EXPEED 4 30% faster Increased number of shots Higher video quality at high ISO Supports 1080 60p More shots per charge |
EXPEED 3 |
| ISO Sensitivity Range |
100 to 25,600 Lo1 (ISO 50) to Hi4 (ISO 409,600) |
100-12,800 Lo1 (ISO 50) to Hi4 (ISO 204,800) |
| File Format |
12-bit and 14-bit NEF (RAW) File support JPEG- fine (approx. 1: 4), normal (approx. 1: 8), basic (approx. 1: 16) TIFF (RGB) |
12-bit and 14-bit NEF (RAW) File support JPEG- fine (approx. 1: 4), normal (approx. 1: 8), basic (approx. 1: 16) TIFF (RGB) |
| RAW SIZE S | 12-bit uncompressed |
No |
Metering System |
||
| 91k RGB Sensor |
Yes |
Yes |
| Advanced SceneRecognition System | Yes - Group Area AF added |
Yes |
| Face Priority analysis for viewfinder shooting | On/Off possible with custom setting |
Always On |
White Balance |
||
| Spot White Balance when using Live View |
Yes |
No |
| Preset White Balance |
1-6 possible |
1-3 is possible |
Auto Focus |
||
| AF Sensor | Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX | Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX |
| Auto Focus (continued) | ||
| Frame Advance Rate | 11 fps with AF/AE | 10 fps with AF/AE |
| Group Area AF |
Yes Five AF sensors used as a Group Optimized for subjects located within an area covered by the “Group” |
No |
| Dynamic AF Modes | 9/21/51/51 points w/3D Tracking/Auto Area AF | 9/21/51/51 points w/3D Tracking/Auto Area AF |
Video |
||
| Frame Size andFrame rate | 1920 x 1080 60/50/30/25/24p | 1920 x 1080 30/25/24p |
| Multi-area mode Full HD D-Movie with three image area options | Selectable during live view: FX, DX, 2.7X Crop | Not selectable during live view: FX, DX, 2.7X Crop |
| ISO Auto Control forManual Exposure |
Yes |
No |
| Simultaneous recording to memory card and external recorder |
Yes |
No |
| View simultaneous live view output and record uncompressed videovia HDMI |
Yes |
Yes |
| Selectable audio frequency range |
Yes Wide/Voice |
No |
| Audio adjusted during video recording |
Yes |
No |
| Wired and Wireless Communication System | ||
| Wired LAN | 1000 Base T Support | 100 Base T Support |
| Wireless Transmission |
Via WT-5A |
Via WT-5A |
Camera Handling |
||
| Ergonomics | Shape of a grip and details at backside (body form | Improved over D3 sereies |
| Dual memory card slots |
CF card compatible with UDMA 7 XQD memory card (based on a 32-GB QD-S32E) enables continuous shooting for up to approx. 200 shots (JPEG fine L), approx. 133 shots (12-bit, lossless compressed RAW), approx. 176 shots (12-bit, compressed RAW), or approx. 104 shots (14-bit, compressed RAW) |
CF card compatible with UDMA 7 XQD XQD memory card (based on a 32-GB S32E) enables continuous shooting for up to approx. 170 shots (JPEG fine L), approx. 92 shots (12-bit, lossless compressed RAW), approx. 92 shots (12- bit, compressed RAW), or approx. 76 shots (14-bit, compressed RAW) |
| Playback Magnification | Can be selected from multi-selector | Can be selected from multi-selector |
| Change Focus point size in Live View Movie |
Yes Normal-area |
No |
| Fine tune LCD color |
Yes |
No |
| Full aperture metering during Live View for stills |
Yes |
No |
| Live View - Image Area | Can be selected while in Live View for |
No |
| Interval timer / Time lapse movie |
Yes Increased number of exposures (up to 9999), setting until one week later is possible. Exposure smoothing has been added |
Yes Up to 999 possible |
| Battery |
One EN-EL18a Rechargeable Li-Ion Approx. 3,020 shots (in Single-frame mode, based on CIPA Standards) |
One EN-EL18 Rechargeable Li-Ion Approx. 2,600 shots (in Single-frame mode, based on CIPA Standards) |
| Time-lapse Interval Timers Exposure Smoothening |
Yes |
No |
There are quite a lot of differences from the D4 and the D4s and Nikon did a great job at improving an already great camera. It is great to finally hear the news about this body and I think the photo community may be quite excited about this release, but, my guess is we will hear a lot of complains about the 16.2MP size, even though we have a slew of other improvements.
As we mentioned above, the Nikon D4s will be available for $6,496.95. It is available for pre-order right now on B&H and will be shipping on March 6. More info HERE
When the D4 was released and FStoppers did a comparison between the D4 and D3s the image itself was completely unremarkable given post capabilities. But this didn't stop the 'MUST HAVE'S' from dumping another 2 grand into a body.. Yea, you got some blue button lights, and some video.. But the image itself was negligible at best. The failure of the D4 was pretty shocking in that Nikon... completely took people down that path of having to buy additional NEW items to support a lame duck body.. You needed to now go out and invest in different memory, different reader, different batteries, firmware disabled 2nd party power options.. And now this reincarnation of the first bastard child.. What was the point?
People that actually entertain this pop will have to get a pretty penny for the D4 they are dumping to justify the additional 1.5K 2K for this upgrade (I use upgrade in the most loose sense possible here)... It's insane what Nikon believes is marketable, and how much damage they are doing to their reputation with this..