New Nikon D4 Review
The Nikon D4, 16MP full-frame professional DSLR is capable of shooting at 10 frames per second with full autofocus.
In addition to a host of ergonomic improvements, the D4 also sees the expansion of its video capabilities, to the extent that Nikon is describing it as a ‘multi-media DSLR.’ The cameras gains an Ethernet port, a 91,000 pixel metering sensor and an uprated AF sensor that can work in lower light and with smaller aperture lenses. Its sensitivity range can be expanded to the equivalent of ISO 204,800 and adds illuminated controls to make it easier to work in the low-light situations in which such a setting becomes useful. The D4 also becomes the first camera to make use of the XQD memory card format.
It’s not just the world’s top athletes preparing for the London Olympics in 2012: photographers are also getting ready to capture the action. And just as the runners and jumpers want microfibre unitards and shoes made of kevlar and unicorn feathers, top snappers want the best camera kit too. Enter the Nikon D4, Nikon’s new full-frame flagship.
The D4 is a 16-megapixel professional dSLR that costs £4,800. It’s available in the UK on 16 February, and provides stiff competition to rival flagship camera the Canon EOS-1D X.
Design and specs
Our first impression upon picking up the D4 is that it’s surprisingly light. With its dual grip and heavyweight specs, we expected it to be much weightier than it is — but with a smaller pancake lens on the front we were able to move with the grace of a gymnast in that event with the twirly ribbons.
The D4 contains a 16.2-megapixel full-frame sensor, known by Nikon as FX-format. Inside is a speedy Expeed3 processor.
Nikon has announced the D4, its latest professional DSLR. The 16MP full-frame camera is capable of shooting at 10 frames per second with full autofocus. In addition to a host of ergonomic improvements, the D4 also sees the expansion of its video capabilities, to the extent that Nikon is describing it as a ‘multi-media DSLR.’ The cameras gains an Ethernet port, a 91,000 pixel metering sensor and an uprated AF sensor that can work in lower light and with smaller aperture lenses. Its sensitivity range can be expanded to the equivalent of ISO 204,800 and adds illuminated controls to make it easier to work in the low-light situations in which such a setting becomes useful. The D4 also becomes the first camera to make use of the XQD memory card format.
The Nikon D4 is the new flagship. Announced Friday, January 6th 2012, it brings lots to the table. This time its not just about the sensor, with illuminated buttons, better controls, larger LCD screen, etc. The availability will be sparse, and not until February. Along with the D4, the Nikon D800 will be announced shortly thereafter, in February.
The D4 sports an extremely durable magnesium alloy body with weather sealing, so you can confidently expect peak performance even in harsh environments. The camera’s shutter has been put to the test and has proven to be good for 400,000 cycles at extreme continuous burst rates over extended periods of time—so you need not worry about that, either.
The Nikon D4 is compatible with the WT-5A wireless transmitter: Transmit images to an FTP server or computer via Image transmission mode. In PC mode, operate the D4 with Camera Control Pro 2. There’s also an HTTP mode, enabling you to use a Web browser on your computer or smart phone, display thumbnails of images stored in the camera’s memory cards, or create slide shows, view images, manipulate simple camera controls for remote shooting, or even start live view shooting, including video recording.
A true power saver, the D4 runs on the new, compact and high-capacity EN-EL18 rechargeable Li-ion battery. You can count on extended battery life and the ability to capture roughly 2,600 images on a single charge. Convinced yet? We look forward to getting our hands on a new D4 soon.
