As most have seen today Nikon has announced the successor to the D3 lines of cameras the D4. I have enjoyed the larger sized “Pro” camera since the F5. I like the larger sized hand grip and the easy move to portrait mode where I spend the bulk of my time photographing. I missed out on the D1 line, but I have purchased the last larger bodied film camera the F5, D2H, D2x and the D3. I missed out on the D3s. After the $5,000 for the D3 I didn’t see a compelling list of new features outside of the addition of video mode on the D3s. So I sat on the sidelines waiting on the D4. Frankly there hasn’t been a dud in that line-up and so I eagerly wondered what the D4 would bring to the table that might revolutionize this space in the Nikon line-up. Though there is some nice features and specs this is again more of an evolution than a revolution. For certain Nikon probably wouldn’t be able to follow-up the ground-breaking D3 line with a similar ground-breaking D4 line. What we are seeing is the relative problem camera manufacturers are having topping what they have done in the previous 10 years.
Keep in mind though that this camera is aimed at the photo-journalist and wildlife photographer. They are the ones that need the fps and fast AF that this camera has. Though I will appreciate them for what I do, they are not a necessity. As this Pro level line has evolved though the price has continued to increase. It was $2,000 for the F5 the D2H was $3,500 and the D2X was $4995. The D3 came in at the same $4995 price tag. The D4 however has arrived and it is priced at $5999.95. I must be getting old because that just sounds expensive. I am not however the target market. So what do we get on the next flagship camera from Nikon?
ISO
The top level ISO has remained unchanged at a whopping 12,800. They have allowed an expanded range up to 204,800. The other change in ISO is the base ISO has once again returned to 100 with an option for 50. Neither of those is critical to my photography. Certainly a nice feature to not have to make an addition of a polarizer or Neutral Density filter, however most of the time that I would need that ISO I would have a CP already on the camera. For me this is not a selling point.
FPS
They have also jumped the Frames/sec up to 11. That’s fast. Very Fast. The D3 clocked in at 8 and I thought that was fast. I wonder if they can engineer a mechanical shutter to go faster than that or might the D4 be the end of the line for the mechanical shutter and the next camera have an all digital shutter. Time will tell. The buffer size is now 200 images. This ROCKS. I can attest when I do wildlife photography that when the action is heavy and you have to wait to dump your buffer to get another shot off, well it is ROCK less. Having 200 shots you can put in the can sure would be nice, but is that worth the upgrade cost? If I shot birds year around…you bet.
AF and Face Recognition
The AF anticipates to be much better than the D3 and with the addition of Face Recognition to the AF system, that in itself will be a very nice feature. Provided it works well. I expect it will. From all reports that little Nikon 1 system with Face Recognition works, so I would suspect it would be very good on the flagship system. I have enjoyed Face Recognition on my LX5. I enjoy it more when I hand the camera off to someone else like my son. I turn out in focus and those are typically the only photos with me in it.
Sensor
The D4 increases the megapixels from 12 to 16 and maintains that same ISO range. Since my wife doesn’t like any photo much to my dismay larger than about 8×10 the 16mp would give me a little cropping and a bit more detail, but I won’t see it. It’s a nice feature, but for me again probably not worth the upgrade cost from the D3.
Better Video
No you haven’t missed all of the videos that I have been shooting, I haven’t been. It is something I am currently trying to work into my workflow. I just don’t remember to take the time to create them. Let alone do it well. That being said just as I discussed in my thoughts on the D800 I want video on the next DSLR I purchase. The D4 has it and from those that know video much better than I do, they seem to be happy. So I am.
Nice LCD Monitor
The LCD monitor has become critical to some shooters. I use it on a regular basis to make sure that I have proper sharpness and exposure, I also find Live View indispensable for the macro photography that I do. Nikon has upped it’s pixel count from an already impressive LCD on the D3. Another nice feature, but I don’t have that many issues with the other LCD.
Battery
Nikon is saying that you can get 2600 images on what charge of the D4 battery. This will also be a nice upgrade though I have only on rare occasions run down the D3 battery. For those that do video this will also really help.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind I am evaluating this camera based on my own needs and how I use the tool. That does not mean I don’t think this is an impressive tool, I do. There is something for everyone in each of the upgrades for the target market this is aimed at. It’s basically a pumped up D3s. Each of the upgrades is well thought out and aimed nicely at the target market. What the D4 really shows me though is exactly how groundbreaking the D3 was when it was released 4 years ago.
If you were adding up the check boxes in the previous sections you probably don’t see too many checks in the must have category. Throw all of that out though. It’s a flagship Nikon and I want it. Will I get it though is another question. I can’t justify it, but sometimes that doesn’t mean anything.
Let me know in the comments below what feature in the D4 you like best.
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by Chris Mielke
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