Please Note: at the time of this preview, the Nikon D4 is not currently out. Rumors are that this camera will be released during an anticipated February 2012 refresh/overhaul. This DSLR will be Nikon’s new flagship camera, replacing the now aging D3S which has been Nikon’s baby until now.
The Feature Overview
With Major competition coming from Canon and their upcoming D1x professional DSLR camera, as well as the well-received Canon 5D Mark II and it’s stellar video capability, Nikon has had to step things up a bit. Here’s a bulleted overview of what Nikon’s newest brings to the table:
• FX Format 16 effective Megapixel CMOS Sensor
• EXPEED3 Image Sensor
• 11FPS quick shot
• ISO range of 100-12800 (expandable to 50-204,800)
• True HD Video: 1080p at 29.97 FPS or 24 FPS cinema or semi HD 720p at 60 FPS
• Two Media Card slots: One primary XQD Format, and One Legacy CF Slot
• 51 AF Points using 15 cross-type (up to f/8)
• New 91,000 pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix metering (improving flash exposure)
• 3.2-inch LCD screen with improved brightness and viability (and now you can zoom in 46x!)
• Improved ergonomic design
• Improved controls for easier workflow
• Built-in Wired LAN: HTTP Mode to use iPhone/iPad as Camera Control
• Optional wireless high speed transmitter for off-camera flash
• NIKKOR Lens compatibility
• Strong Magnesium Alloy Body + Shutter Tested to 400,000 cycles
So How Does It Stack Up?
Compared to the Nikon 3Ds you have higher resolution, faster frame-rate, one step lower on the ISO range, true HD video, the addition of XQD media, a much improved metering system and a slightly better shutter rating (okay, and a slightly bigger LCD screen). So, for someone invested in NIKKOR lenses, this is a pretty good improvement over the older product.
Compared with the new Canon EOS-1Dx, I have to give the feature advantage to Canon on this one. The 1Dx has 2 more megapixels, a faster frame-rate, a higher ISO (even though at 51,200 I’d expect it to be grainy as oatmeal), more focal points, and slightly better metering. That being said, the MSRP is also $800 higher for the 1Dx, so you have to ask yourself a few questions before you commit to either camera.
First, do you already own lenses? If you have NIKKOR lenses, it’s probably best to save the $800 and consider that the advantage the 1Dx has is only small. If you’re invested in Canon EF or EF-S lenses, then spend a little more and gloat to your Nikon friends about a slightly better feature set. If you’re not invested in any lenses at this point, it might be better to go with the D4 and spend that extra $800 on a really good lens or two.
Secondly, it can be argued that while the body’s specs are better, the FX Format image sensor and EXPEED3 processor may make a better picture… we’ll have to wait and see once it’s released.
For now it’s like any other fan-boy argument, the decision may ultimately boil down to personal preference.