Nikon D4 Camera is Here. Photo, Video, Full Frame, all the details

photo via Gizmodo

Alright photo geeks. Indeed, Nikon just announced the much-anticipated D4. I’ve known about its imminent arrival for some time. So let’s get into it…

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.

Here are some things that I think may set this camera apart from other cameras capable both still AND motion capture. Some can be found on other current and future cameras, but I’m unaware of any other that has most of the following features in one package:

Better output–while it seems that the internal codec may in fact be a step in the right direction itself, judging by the cleanliness of the release film “WHY” on Vimeo, likely the uncompressed 422 out from the hdmi port will be a large step for motion acquisition on a dslr platform. As for the concern about 1080i, I believe all hdmi output from cameras, such as the F3 and FS100 begin as interlaced, and it is the job of the recorder to pull the 24p out of the signal. Correct me if I’m wrong here…

Better sound–the camera features full manual control, that can be monitored and adjusted while recording, with and without HEADPHONES. This is something that many of us forget or have never experienced, but can prove vital to acquiring usable sound on camera.

Multiple frame rates on a full frame sensor–no longer do we need to switch over to our 7d to shoot slow motion and go as wide as possible. Now we can shoot all of our frame rates on the same, full frame body, and presumably reap the benefits in terms of focal length and Iso performance. Huge time saver and quality bump.

Crop modes–if well implimented, my 24-70 that was used a lot of the time could be even more capable, effectively becoming a 24-190mm. That could be insane! There has been talk that these crop modes will actually look better do to the fact that they decrease the line skipping involved and thus avoid many of the issues associated with the process. While the DX crop will likely be in that sweet spot of a 35mm lens, the 2.7x crop may be pushing some glass in terms of sharpness. Well see.

Longer record time–many will find themselves in certain situations where 10-12 min of nonstop record time isnt sufficient. The D4 boasts a 30 min record time, which I imagine should satisfy the majority of users.

Focus confirmation mid shot–if I’m reading this right, that would be legit.

Monitoring both on camera and on hdmi monitor–could be convenient, especially if you can have your shooting info displayed on the camera and clean picture on the monitor.

In camera timelapse–the camera can take your stills and create a 1080p file in camera. Should be a convenient way to produce timelapses quickly for certain projects, without the whole QuickTime or after effects workflow.

Reduced moire and aliasing–while likely still present to some degree, the videos released so far look very clean in this regard compared to current slr’s and even some video cameras. Excited to see where it’s at.

Reduced rolling shutter–Nikon boasts a faster scan rate of the sensor for less jello. Looks good in the videos but we will see.

Ethernet–faster data offload and potentially a plethora of cool options here.

Wireless control–using the optional dongle, looks like we cause our iPads and iPhones for a lot of different remote possibilities. Could be cool!

And they are going to be the 1dx to market!

And of course, all of this comes in a compact, durable and weather sealed package, that is supposed to be a full stop better in low light than the current king (the d3s) and is ready to take what will likely be the finest photos we have been able to acquire sub 10k. Add that to the fact that it’s ready to accept some of the finest glass on the planet (glass that many of us much prefer to Canon lenses and thus have been reluctant to let go of for years, despite shooting our video work with the 5d and 7d) and I think it might turn out to be the best camera ever made for a multidisciplinary shooter.

203 replies on:
Nikon D4 Camera Is Here.

brock kirschenmann says:

January 9, 2012 at 11:54 pm

So I want to throw out my concern for the near future of me as a nikon shooter. Some if this will be based on rumor ville and some speculation. First I am an advanced amateur and am starting to shoot more paid work. So I am testing out the waters of professional photography. I shoot a nikon d7000 and love it. But I seriously want a full frame camera. I am too poor to make a switch to canon. So Nikon all the way. I don’t have the budget for a top end fx (nikon full frame) d3s or d3x so that leaves the d700. this has been out for many years now and shooters love it. I so want one of course. But in looking for any used d700’s the average find is that the only ones available are older used pro ones with a ton of shutter actuations. pros keep as a backup or people like me aren’t selling. If I bought one I would plan on using it for a few years so I don’t want that old of one. So I have been eagerly weighting the arrival of the new fx line.

The d4 is now official and by stats it is a replacement for the d3s. it is geared towards the wedding/sports/news shooters. A low light machine gun really. I would love this but can’t afford $6k. The d800 will be next. now this is still rumor but it is obviously going to happen. probably in feb at the big show. if leaks are accurate, and they have been so far. it will be a strange d700 replacement in my eyes. from 12 to 36 mpxl. the new great sensor and well performing low noise high iso will be comparable to the d700 and it should be a smaller body like the d700. but up to $4k from $2.5K that is steep. and a lower fps at only 4 down from 6. this looks more like a studio and landscape camera. more like the d3x, but they wanted $8k for that. so that leaves me to believe there may be a d4x to boost the mpxl count that is needed for that user and to jump to that higher price point. And to have 2 full size fx cameras. if they don’t make the d4x then they lost an entry level fx, seams odd.

Either way, if the d800 specs hold true. you already have a great pair in the d800 and the d4. one wedding shooters dream in the d4 and one studio shooters dream in the d800. but both will be above 4 grand. leaving no entry level fx camera like the 2.5 grand d700. That sucks for me any many more people. I shoot a little of everything right no. so I don’t want or need 36 mpxl, and 4 fps is too slow for sports. The 5d mk 2 is the perfect midlevel full frame camera, and I want a nikon that compares. Good mpxl, fps, video and price. I’d love the d700 but many that have them want something newer to allow for better video fun. or simply something newer.

with a possible bottom of $4 grand I can’t afford either the d800 or the d4. and if the d4x doesn’t happen then nikon lost the entry level fx. (on a side note I think the d700 and the d7000 completely make the d300s obsolete and I think nikon knows it) so I hope that they make a d400 that is a 20 mpxl, 7 fps, quality video dream for under $3k. They need a camera at that price to allow people to step into a full frame.

So what are your thoughts on this. I would love to hear them. What do you d700 shooters think. Are you looking for a new camera now after a few years of shooting them or are in still in love with them?
D4 Imight be the king! says:

January 9, 2012 at 7:03 pm

Here are some things that I think may set this camera apart from other cameras capable both still AND motion capture. Some can be found on other current and future cameras, but I’m unaware of any other that has most of the following features in one package:

Better output–while it seems that the internal codec may in fact be a step in the right direction itself, judging by the cleanliness of the release film “WHY” on Vimeo, likely the uncompressed 422 out from the hdmi port will be a large step for motion acquisition on a dslr platform. As for the concern about 1080i, I believe all hdmi output from cameras, such as the F3 and FS100 begin as interlaced, and it is the job of the recorder to pull the 24p out of the signal. Correct me if I’m wrong here…

Better sound–the camera features full manual control, that can be monitored and adjusted while recording, with and without HEADPHONES. This is something that many of us forget or have never experienced, but can prove vital to acquiring usable sound on camera.

Multiple frame rates on a full frame sensor–no longer do we need to switch over to our 7d to shoot slow motion and go as wide as possible. Now we can shoot all of our frame rates on the same, full frame body, and presumably reap the benefits in terms of focal length and Iso performance. Huge time saver and quality bump.

Crop modes–if well implimented, my 24-70 that was used a lot of the time could be even more capable, effectively becoming a 24-190mm. That could be insane! There has been talk that these crop modes will actually look better do to the fact that they decrease the line skipping involved and thus avoid many of the issues associated with the process. While the DX crop will likely be in that sweet spot of a 35mm lens, the 2.7x crop may be pushing some glass in terms of sharpness. Well see.

Longer record time–many will find themselves in certain situations where 10-12 min of nonstop record time isnt sufficient. The D4 boasts a 30 min record time, which I imagine should satisfy the majority of users.

Focus confirmation mid shot–if I’m reading this right, that would be legit.

Monitoring both on camera and on hdmi monitor–could be convenient, especially if you can have your shooting info displayed on the camera and clean picture on the monitor.

In camera timelapse–the camera can take your stills and create a 1080p file in camera. Should be a convenient way to produce timelapses quickly for certain projects, without the whole QuickTime or after effects workflow.

Reduced moire and aliasing–while likely still present to some degree, the videos released so far look very clean in this regard compared to current slr’s and even some video cameras. Excited to see where it’s at.

Reduced rolling shutter–Nikon boasts a faster scan rate of the sensor for less jello. Looks good in the videos but we will see.

Ethernet–faster data offload and potentially a plethora of cool options here.

Wireless control–using the optional dongle, looks like we cause our iPads and iPhones for a lot of different remote possibilities. Could be cool!

And they are going to be the 1dx to market!

And of course, all of this comes in a compact, durable and weather sealed package, that is supposed to be a full stop better in low light than the current king (the d3s) and is ready to take what will likely be the finest photos we have been able to acquire sub 10k. Add that to the fact that it’s ready to accept some of the finest glass on the planet (glass that many of us much prefer to Canon lenses and thus have been reluctant to let go of for years, despite shooting our video work with the 5d and 7d) and I think it might turn out to be the best camera ever made for a multidisciplinary shooter.
ChrisH says:

January 9, 2012 at 4:00 pm

In my imagination is rocks. With the price tag it is very unlikely I will ever own one
Alan Matthews says:

January 9, 2012 at 12:41 pm

I’m excited! However, I shoot Canon but I’m still excited for things to come! I do agree with Greg about why they can’t build Wi-Fi into these new cameras – baffles me. Tethering would be so nice wouldn’t it?
Ben says:

January 9, 2012 at 9:28 am

The camera looks great, but the charger is the pits. It’s WAY too big for traveling with and if it’s anything like the charger for the EN-EL4’s then it’ll feel like there’s nothing inside. What a waste of space. And what’s worse about the charger is that even though there are two spots for batteries, it only charges one at a time. What a double waste of space.