Nikon D4 review

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This professional sports camera carries a new full-frame sensor, has revised ergonomics and an XQD card slot.

Professional DSLRs often appear to be more like finely tuned machines than cameras, much like a highly trained athlete compared to a casual gym-goer. The photographers who use these machines are under pressure to capture the defining moment of the event and send it back to the picture desk within minutes. Such time-sensitive demands mean the camera needs to be flawless in its performance, as missing the shot or getting it wrong isn’t an option. These pro DSLRs are workhorses and contain the most advanced camera technology to ensure they never miss a beat. Being an Olympic year, the professional camera brands are keen to ensure their latest cameras are ready for the hundreds of photographers who will be documenting the Olympic Games in London. The D4 is Nikon’s offering.

In October last year Canon announced the EOS-1D X as its replacement for the professional EOS-1D series, but with a lead time that meant the new cameras wouldn’t be available until March – just in time for the Olympics. Nikon’s latest offering will go head-to-head with the new Canon, although it will be available earlier and at a lower price.

The new Nikon D4 officially replaces the D3S. The studio-based D3X remains, so we should see a D4X in the near future-

Like the previous D3S, the D4 has a full-frame, 35mm sensor. Measunng 36×23.9mm, the 16.2-million-pixel, FX CMOS unit is brand new, with fast read outputs for quicker data transfer -something that seems to have been a priority at every stage of this camera’s development. Accompanying it is the new Expeed 3 processor that debuted on the Nikon 1 compact system cameras (CSCs). With this physically larger sensor, the processor enables up to 11fps rather than the 60fps on the CSCs, but this is more than sufficient for even the fastest sports. It is the length of the burst that matters and here it is certainly no slacker. Using the new XQD cards, Nikon claims that up to 98 raw files can be shot in one burst, which is equivalent to almost 9secs continuous shooting.

Previous Nikon models have performed very well in low light, and the D4 promises to be even better. The ISO range has been extended to offer a top setting of ISO 12,800 and a Hi 4 equivalent of ISO 204,800 Slow shooting has also been considered with a Lo 1 equivalent of ISO 50. It is a shame the low settings don’t extend to ISO 3 or similar, although this would be more useful on a camera aimed at landscape photographers. Not only can the camera shoot in extreme low light but Nikon claims it can also continue to autofocus in these conditions.

The newly adapted MultiCAM 3500fx AF system uses 51 points, including 15 cross-type, and an improved focus-tracking system. This is claimed to work in -2EV conditions, or the equivalent of moonlight.

Changing AF mode is now an easier process, requiring only a press of the AF switch, as used on the D7000. An indicator of the chosen mode is shown in the viewfinder by the pattern of AF points to allow you to change modes without moving it away from your eye.

In contrast to Canon’s latest AF system, 15 of the focus points have sensitivity at up to f/8, which means that even when using f/4 lenses with a 2x teleconverter, the AF system will still function effectively. For travelling photographers this means that more compact f/4 units can be carried, rather than the hefty f/2.8 lenses.

The metering system is the new 3D Color Matrix Metering III. It uses 91,000 pixels and offers more advanced scene recognition, and face detection that is claimed can detect even the ‘smallest’ faces in a scene. The new Kevlar/carbon-fibre shutter is tested up to 400,000 cycles with shutter speeds from 30-1/8000sec and up to 1/250sec flash sync.

Although the D4 doesn’t look hugely different from its predecessor, there are some significant changes to the operation and handling. At 1,340, the magnesium-alloy body of the D4 is now lighter than that of the D3. As well as the AF button already mentioned, two jog pads now feature, primarily for focus selection and menu navigation while holding the camera horizontally or vertically. In fact, the arrangement of the key buttons is perfectly mirrored for a vertical and horizontal grip, and the chosen AF point will move accordingly as you rotate the camera. To aid working in the dark, the D4 also features illuminated buttons both on the back of the camera and on the top plate, which can be turned off in the menu if not required. More subtly, the shutter button now sits at a great 35 angle, rather than 28, for a more comfortable press, and is accompanied by a dedicated movie-record button.

The virtual horizon indicator is available through the viewfinder as well as on the rear screen, making use of the AF points and the exposure compensation slider for the axis. With the projection possibilities available, however, it would have been nice to have the full Top Gun-styled level as seen on the LCD overlaid on the viewfinder.

The rear screen is a large 3.2in (8cm), 921,000-dot LCD, but more importantly the colour gamut has been extended to almost match sRGB colour space and that of most monitors. The auto adjustments can control the brightness, saturation, contrast and gamma to ensure the preview remains accurate, while a new gel resin between the screen and glass helps eliminate reflections and fogging.

The dual memory slots take CompactFlash and the brand-new XQD format. XQD promises groundbreaking transfer speeds and capacities to outclass even the very latest CompactFlash from the outset.

Other functions of interest include time-lapse movie creation, HDR imaging, in-camera editing and a choice of three crop modes: FX (1x), DX (1.5x) and 1080 HD (2.7x), allowing you more options from your lenses in video or still shooting.

Although the D4 is aimed primarily at the stills photographer, Nikon has recognised the need of professionals for video and has upped its game accordingly. The camera features ful HD (1080p) video at 30fps, 25fps or 24fps and slow-motion 60fps at 720p. The microphone input has 29 adjustments for fine-tuning and it is the first DSLR video camera to feature a ‘headphone out’ for monitoring sound. The full ISO range is available for video use with a clip time of up to 29.59mins. For broadcast, uncompressed 1080i video can be outputted live from the HDMI port, while still recording compressed to a card. Still images (at 2 million pixels) can also be captured during filming.

A new WT-5 wireless transmitter unit is available separately. It is smaller than the previous WT-4 and now takes its power from the camera rather than requiring a separate battery. Wireless remains a separate add-on, partly due to the added signal strength. The magnesium-alloy body of the D4 would restrict the signal compared to the polycarbonate housing of the adapter. Using this device it is possible to access the camera’s controls via a standard web browser on a laptop, tablet or smart phone This allows control of the shutter, shooting mode, focus and other functions remotely, without additional applications or software.

The D4 features a new battery, with Iower power than that used in the D3 and D3S due to new Japanese restnctions on lithium-ion units. With standard CIPA testing, this has resulted in a decline in the battery’s lifespan, from 4,200 to 2,600 shots. However, when used in burst mode Nikon claims a much greater 5,500 shots per charge.

Although the D4 is not aimed at the amateur audience, the specification will undoubtedly be of interest – especially as the advanced features found on professional cameras often trickle down to consumer DSLR models.

Tags: D4, Featured, Nikon, review

Category: Gear