The Nikon D4 is a 16.2 megapixel professional-grade full frame (35mm) digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) announced by Nikon Corporation on 6 January 2012. It succeeds the Nikon D3S and introduces a number of improvements including a 16.2 megapixel sensor, improved auto-focus and metering sensors and the ability to shoot at an extended ISO speed of 204,800. The camera was released in February 2012 at a recommended retail price of $5999.95. It is the first camera to utilize the new XQD memory cards.
The Nikon D4 is aimed at sports and action photographers and photojournalists. With a continuous shooting rate of 10fps, a 20-second burst would yield 200 full-resolution images with full metering and autofocus for each frame. If exposure and focus are locked, the shooting rate can be increased to 11fps.
Features
- 16.4 effective megapixel Full-Frame (36 mm × 24 mm) sensor with ISO 100â€"12800 (ISO 50â€"204800 Boost)
- Nikon Expeed 3 image/video processor
- 91,000 pixel RGB metering sensor with Advanced Scene Recognition System
- Advanced Multi-CAM3500FX auto-focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type)
- 0.12 s start up time and 0.042 s shutter release delay.
- Image sensor cleaning
- Ten frames per second in continuous FX mode (eleven frames per second with auto-exposure and auto-focus disabled)
- Buffer for 100 RAW or 200 JPEG frames in one burst
- Built-in HDR and time lapse modes
- Built-in 10/100 base-T Ethernet port for data transfers and tethered shooting.
- 1080p Full HD movie mode at 24 fps worldwide and 25 or 30 depending on region, 720p at 25/50 or 30/60 fps, HDMI HD video out with support of uncompressed video output, stereo monitor headphone out, and stereo input (3.5-mm diameter) with manual sound level control.
- Kevlar/carbon fibre composite shutter with a rating of 400,000 actuations
- Live View with either phase detect or improved contrast detect Auto Focus
- Virtual horizon indicates in Live View mode, also available during video capture
- 'Active D-Lighting' with 6 settings and bracketing (adjusts metering and D-Lighting curve)
- Dual card slots, one CompactFlash UDMA and one XQD card slot (mirror, overflow, back-up, RAW on 1/JPEG on 2, Stills on 1/Movies on 2, copy)
- Fully weather sealed with O-rings
- GPS interface for direct geotagging supported by Nikon GP-1
Reception
The D4 achieved the fourth-best result in the DXOmark sensor rating, only beaten by two versions of the Nikon D800 and a medium format, 80-megapixel camera (Phase One IQ180).
References
External links
- Nikon D4 Manual Nikon
- Nikon D4 Technical Guide Nikon
- Nikon D4 global product page at Nikon.com
- Nikon D4 USA specs, Nikon Inc.
- Nikon D4 overview at Digital Photography Review
- Nikon D4 news coverage at Estiasis.com