Nikon announces D4 dSLR, successor to D3S pro shooter (CES 2012)
Summary: Nikon officially announces the long-rumored D4 professional dSLR, which will hit the market earlier and at a lower price than the Canon EOS-1D X.
It's an announcement Nikon followers have been predicting forever, so it's no huge surprise, but the Nikon D4 has offically arrived, adding a big-name dSLR to the growing pre-CES 2012 camera release lineup. Nikon Rumors reports that Amazon.com sold out of Nikon D4 pre-orders in under an hour, a testament to how little of a secret the announcement was.
Though the D4's most direct competitor, the Canon EOS-1D X, was announced in October, Nikon's flagship professional dSLR looks to just beat the Canon to market, and will sell for about $800 less, listing at $5,999.95 when it ships in late February. The18-megapixel 1D X does out-spec the 16-megapixel D4 slightly; the D4 offers a slower maximum continuous shooting speed of 11fps (vs. 14fps for the 1D X), a slighly lower resolution 3.2-inch LCD, and fewer autofocus points, but it does bring the Nikon line up to date on all fronts, including a significantly beefed up video recording mode compared to its predecessor, the Nikon D3S. In fact, somewhat like the Canon 1D X is a cross between the higher-end 1Ds Mark III and 1D Mark IV, the D4 sits between the D3S and the higher-end D3X. As the newest camera, the D4 benefits from the latest technology, of course, and is the first dSLR to support the new high-performance QXD memory card format (based on PCI Express) from the CompactFlash Association.
Here's a quick comparison of basic specs with the Canon EOS-1D X:
| Nikon D4 | Canon EOS-1D X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5999.95 (body only), shipping in late February | $6,800 (body only), shipping in March |
| Sensor | 16.2 megapixels, 36x23.9 mm CMOS | 18.1 megapixels, 36x24mm CMOS |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 11 fps | 14 fps |
| LCD | 3.2-inch, 920,000-dot | 3.2-inch, 1.04 million-dot |
| Autofocus | 51-point | 61-point |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100-12,800 (50-204,800 expanded) | ISO 100-51,200 (50-204,800 expanded) |
| Storage Media | 2 Compact Flash (Type I, QXD) | 2 CompactFlash (Type I/II) |
| Movie Mode | 1920×1080 (30/24 fps)/1280 × 720 (60/30 fps) | 1920x1080 (30/25/24 fps)/1280x720 (60/50 fps)/640x480 (30/25 fps) |
| Dimensions | 6.3x6.2x3.6 inches | 6.2x6.4x3.3 inches |
| Weight | 41.6 oz (body) | Not available |
- ZDNet CES 2012 Special Report
- Canon EOS-1D X pro dSLR replaces both 1Ds Mark III and 1D Mark IV
- Nikon D3X 24.5-megapixel digital SLR announced
Related links:
- CNET Crave: Nikon D4 arrives after leaks turn into flood
- DPReview: Nikon D4 overview
- Nikon D4 press release
- Nikon D4 product page
- CNET Crave: Canon loads EOS-1D X with new tech, hopes, and dreams
- CNET Image Galleries: Canon EOS-1D X photos
- DPReview: Canon EOS-1D X overview
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Talkback
I am always bugged by those $0.05 values to say "We are less than 6K"
First time Canon and Nikon have really gone head to head on their pro DSLR line.
I want one o' dem 1D X bodies. If I had Nikon lenses, I would want one o' dem D4 bodies. Both look sweet.
Must outlaw these .9x price tags
RE: Nikon announces D4 dSLR, successor to D3S pro shooter (CES 2012)
Errr....
Simple....
If this is used in a professional setting (think House being "filmed" with the 5D Mk II), the standard mics are used only for syncing the primary sound mics to the clip. So the basic audio (for the target audience) is for utility more than final production.
These are very high end sensors where the primary point of the camera is to capture stunning images. Sound will be captured with a secondary device.
RE: Nikon announces D4 dSLR, successor to D3S pro shooter (CES 2012)
Let's get robbed by Nikon.
RE: Nikon announces D4 dSLR, successor to D3S pro shooter (CES 2012)
RE: Nikon announces D4 dSLR, successor to D3S pro shooter (CES 2012)