New Nikon D4s Officially Announced

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

What are your thoughts on the new $6,499 Nikon D4s?  Will you be getting it?