Nikon D4

99

Winner

Nikon D4

Reasons to buy the Nikon D4

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
2,965 ISO
Overall image quality
Great image quality
89.0
Screen size
Large screen
3.2"
Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
11 fps
Sensor size
Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
HDR
In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Nikon D3

87

Runner-up

Nikon D3

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3

Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
9 fps
Sensor size
Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Shutter lag
Barely any delay taking photos
88 ms shutter lag
Battery life
Great battery life
4300 shots
Storage slots
More storage slots
2

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D4

Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 2,965 ISO vs 2,290 ISO
Help
The D4 has a slight edge (0.4 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Overall image quality Better image quality 89.0 vs 81.0
Help
Around 10% better image quality
Screen size Significantly larger screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
Help
Around 10% larger screen
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor Yes vs No
Help
Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos
Color depth Better color depth 24.7 bits vs 23.5 bits
Help
Distinguishes 1.2 more bits of color
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 204,800 ISO vs 25,600 ISO
Help
The D4's boost ISO is 3 f-stops better
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
Automatically focuses shooting video
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.1 EV vs 12.2 EV
Help
0.9 f-stops more dynamic range
True resolution Higher true resolution 15.9 MP vs 12.1 MP
Help
Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 11 fps vs 9 fps
Help
More than 20% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The D4's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Nikon D4 Learn more about
the Nikon D4

Advantages of the Nikon D3

Battery life Much longer battery life 4300 shots vs 2600 shots
Help
Around 70% more shots per battery charge
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 88 ms vs 208 ms
Help
2.4x less delay when taking photos
Thickness Thinner 3.5" vs 3.6"
Help
Almost the same
Size Slightly smaller 160x157x88 mm vs 160x157x91 mm
Help
Almost the same
Weight Slightly lighter 1,300 g vs 1,340 g
Help
Almost the same
Nikon D3 Learn more about
the Nikon D3
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D4 Nikon D4
99 vs 87
Explain scores
Nikon D3 Nikon D3
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D4.

advice

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by John-Newton last month
Nikon D4 vs Nikon D800

I am no expert on cinematography, but some friends of mine and I produce low budget (actually no...

One person recommends the Nikon D800:

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by Michele-McCormick last month
Nikon D800 vs Nikon D3

I'm intermediate, aspiring to do editorial photography. I shoot travel, portraits, dogs in competi...

2 people recommend the Nikon D800:

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0
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by Judson-Abts last month
Nikon D4 vs Nikon D800

I currently have the D3x and D7000.  I shoot some commercial, some events, some video.  I am try...

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
D4:2,965 ISO
D3:2,290 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
D4:89.0
D3:81.0
Battery life Very long battery life Help
D4:2600 shots
D3:4300 shots
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Color depth Good color depth Help
D4:24.7 bits
D3:23.5 bits
Focus points Lots of focus points Help
51
Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
0.70x
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting Fast continuous shooting Help
D4:11 fps
D3:9 fps
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
Storage slots Multiple storage slots Help
2
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Weight Heavy Help
D4:1,340 g
D3:1,300 g
Thickness Quite thick Help
D4:3.6"
D3:3.5"
Size Large Help
D4:160x157x91 mm
D3:160x157x88 mm
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D4:15.9 MP
D3:12.1 MP
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
15
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D4:12,800 ISO
D3:6,400 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Battery life Has a much shorter battery life
Continuous shooting Doesn't shoot as fast continuously
Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S

Pro DSLR

$5,197 body only

Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Canon EOS 1D X

Canon EOS 1D X

Pro DSLR

$6,799 - $6,800 body only

Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Light sensitivity Much higher maximum light sensitivity
Weight Is slightly heavier
Battery life Has a significantly shorter battery life
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,349 body only

Size Is significantly smaller
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Viewfinder coverage Significantly less viewfinder coverage
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Lens availability Significantly more lenses available
Size Is much smaller
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens

True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Battery life Has a significantly shorter battery life
Continuous shooting Doesn't shoot as fast continuously
Nikon D3X

Nikon D3X

Pro DSLR

$7,997 - $8,000 body only

True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack

Nikon D4 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D4.

Nikon D3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D3.

appearance

Nikon D4 Nikon D3
Nikon D4 Nikon D3
Nikon D4 Nikon D3

discussion

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