The D4 now includes an Ethernet connection
for rapid transfer of images directly to computer or other network, this will
be particularly useful for press photographers at major sporting events.
Nikon
D4 LCD Screen
The D3 set the industry standard in terms
of high ISO noise handling when it was introduced in 2007 and this was then
improved again with the D3S, so the worry for professional photographers was
always that any increase in pixel count would adversely affect this (as with
the D3X). The good news is that the D4 just about matches the D3S in terms of
noise handling, it doesn’t improve it, but it also doesn’t make it worse.
The D4 marginally increases the dynamic
range and colour bit depth from the D3S. In the real world this isn’t that
noticeable at first, but combined with the 16MP sensor it allows for more
details to be pulled out of shadows in post-processing and reduces the amount
of clipping in the highlights.
As you would imagine, sharpness and level
of detail are improved over the D3S with the increase in pixel count. In
testing only very small amounts of sharpening in post-production were needed on
the RAW files, and in some cases none at all.
The
increase in pixels brings about excellent sharpness and crisp detail
The D4 builds upon the previously
incorporated picture control settings, giving a wide range of options for
portrait, landscape, vivid, neutral etc. These settings are customisable and do
a good job of creating pleasing JPEGs or options for adjusting the RAW files
later. The introduction of the HDR setting in the new D4 is probably of limited
value to the die-hard HDR fans out there, but it does a decent job of balancing
high-contrast scenes in a natural way.
Nikon needed to add HD-video capability to
the D4 to satisfy the growing demand of photographers/videographers in the
industry. It improves upon the D3S by shooting at 1080p at up to 30fps in full
HD. The D4 gives a myriad of options for video recording, including slow motion
and cropped modes for added reach or depth of field. Sound recording has been
improved with both a mic-in port with 20 adjustment levels and a headphone-out
port with 30 adjustment levels. Nikon has worked hard on output and control
options for video, allowing clean feed streaming to external devices, together
with added wireless control from computers and iPads. As you would expect from
the D4 sensor, the clarity and colour depth reproduction within video capture
are nothing short of outstanding.
While the eagerly anticipated D4 isn’t as
significant an improvement as the D3S was over the D3, it does enough to keep
it at the top of its game in terms of noise handling, and adds in some
excellent features that will justify its position as Nikon’s flagship camera.
Whether all of this is enough to tempt current D3S owners to trade up is
another matter.
Width
The D4 is slightly wider and heavier than
the D3S, but in reality it is hardly noticeable
Movie button
There is now a movie start/stop button
adjacent to the shutter release
Bracketing
Use the BKT button for easy bracketing to
ensure you always get a well-exposed shot
Metering mode
Metering modes can now be adjusted with the
use of a dedicated button and using the command dial
AF selector
The CSM selector switch on the D3S has been
replaced with an AF on/off switch with a push button centre to select the AF
modes with main and sub command dials
Shutter release
The shutter release button has been set at
a lower angle to give more shooting comfort over extended periods
Grips
The D4 features a slightly reshaped
horizontal grip for more comfort and an additional thumb grip to the rear
Image lock button
The image lock button doubles as quick
access to the scene mode menu when shooting
Focus selectors
Two new focus selector joysticks make
choosing an autofocus point quick and easy
Zoom buttons
The D4 now adopts the zoom buttons used on
other models rather than the previous single zoom button and command dial
combination
AF-ON button
The AF-ON button on the vertical grip has
been repositioned and recessed slightly. It takes a little getting used to but
it works well
Live View
A dedicated live view button and
still-to-movie selector gives quick access into the live view modes
