photo via Gizmodo
Here’s some highlighted specs:
_16.2 effective megapixel, full-frame sensor (16.6MP total)
_10fps shooting with AF and AE, 11fps with focus and exposure locked, 24fps 2.5MP grabs
_1080p30 HD video at up to 24Mbps with uncompressed video output
_91,000 pixel sensor for metering, white balance, flash exposure, face detection and active d-lighting
_ISO Range 100-12,800 (extendable from 50 – 204,800)
_MultiCAM 3500FX Autofocus sensor works in lower light and with smaller apertures
_Two sub-selector joystick/buttons for shooting orientation
_New EN-EL18 battery (21.6Wh capacity, CIPA-rated at 2600 shots)
_Twin card slots – one Compact Flash and one XQD
Please note I HAVE NOT touched one of these cameras, and NO I didn’t shoot the campaign. and I haven’t yet spent the appropriate time with the camera to tell you any gory details. I’m assuming I’ll be able to chat more soon.
So.. I (we) knew this was coming, but rather than me spouting off about having played with the system (I can’t), or telling you what your feelings about this system should be (I won’t), I’m turning the tables on you.
What’s your take? Love, hate, indifferent? Insights?
[Reminder that Nikon plays close attention to this blog, so your comments on this post – glowing or otherwise – might help inform Nikon about what your thinking.]Link to all the Nikon D4 details and/or purchase here via B&H.
A couple years ago I made the switch from Canon to Nikon, ending up with a couple D700’s for my wedding photography, and honestly love them. I’ve been toying with adding video to my services, and although this would add the solution to that, its definitely not in the price point I’d have in mind. Yes, I want great image output, and yes I want a sturdy body, but I’m not that desperate to add video yet when I’m still so passionate about stills. Honestly, I’ll be passing up on this camera, and possibly on the D800 or maybe not, but I think my next big purchase will be going towards digital medium format as I’d like to expand my fine art portrait capabilities and also commercial applications of a much larger, more detailed image that I think only that kind of camera can take. Either way, sounds like a great rig, just not for me. This is a camera for the Joe McNallys out there.
The Battery life is a HUGE drawback. Its so unlike Nikon too, to make something which is not backward compatible. The battery and the dual type card slots are the biggest let down for me, which is so weird because they had nailed it perfectly with the D3 cameras.
Having said that, I will buy the camera as an upgrade from my D3 and D3s (I shall keep this one for a backup).
For me the d4 looks like an amazing beast and OFC I’d love one. Now the specs are here, it’s actually a more attractive option the the fabled d800 I’m waiting for. I’m a wedding and landscape shooter and tbh I would rather have the d4 sensor for its low light capability than 36mp that seems to be the accepted size of overdue d800. I appreciate it’ll be great to shoot 36mp on a tripod but for lowlight wedding stuff, I can’t help thinking the extra pixels are going to create a lot of noise at 800 and above.
The network port is a good touch, something I’ve read the sports shooters asking for directly in relation to the Olympics this year. What would be ace will be it the new wt4 will allow peer to peer networking, rather than having to dial in via the web.
Overall it’s a winner an if the video and noise reduction can excel above the 5dmk2, I thinks its going to be a winner. Its the camera I wanted the d800 to be. :o(
Look forward to seeing your work on it and what your buddy Vincent thinks of the Video
Moto
I’ve been wanting to make the switch to full frame for awhile now. I’ve been shooting with a d7000 and love it for its light and compact nature. After hearing the rumors about the d800 and d4 I obviously got excited as I envisioned one of these cameras will work for me. I tend to shoot climbing/adventure photography and so a probably my two biggest factors in a camera are size/weight and ISO performance. I saw some pics of d4 ISO range on a romanian blog the other day and was really impressed, but am wary about hauling around a 4+pound rig (lenses included). The d800 rumored specs worry me a little too. Why would I want my “studio” camera to have a smaller more portable body? In my opinion the d800 should be focused on fast low noise performance, not huge MP output. I’ll be waiting (anxiously) to see how the d800 pans out. Im hoping for a 5d Mark II killer. That being said if the D4 weighed a little less I would be all over it. Video looks fantastic too. I believe Corey Rich and a recent short film shot on the D4. Impressive stuff! In summary though: fast/LIGHT/lownoise/1080p @ 60fps/bombproof/16-20MP = dream camera
Body:
– Very conservative design
– Nikon would be better served aiming for something transformational
Hardware Technology:
– Nice mix of features, function, capability
– Ethernet port? What year is it?
– The pro line needs a better mix of products. Size matters: Small, Medium, Large.
– Context switching between still and video seems fluid.
– Battery Technology
– Wireless Technology
Software:
– Lot’s of missed opportunities
– HUD Guidance
– Pupil Tracking
– Security. Authentication. Location Tracking. Deactivate. Wipe my camera.
– Wireless networking
– Location awareness
– Social Networking (yes… even pros needs this. Think sports, events, news. It’s a realtime world)
– Tablet Apps, API’s, Developer Kits
Summary:
– Evolutionary vs revolutionary