Nikon D4
12:34:00 PM
The Nikon D4, 16MP
full-frame professional DSLRis capable of shooting at 10 frames per second with
full autofocus. In addition to a host of ergonomic improvements, the D4 also
sees the expansion of its video capabilities, to the extent that Nikon is
describing it as a 'multi-media DSLR.' The cameras gains an Ethernet port, a
91,000 pixel metering sensor and an uprated AF sensor that can work in lower
light and with smaller aperture lenses. Its sensitivity range can be expanded
to the equivalent of ISO 204,800 and adds illuminated controls to make it
easier to work in the low-light situations in which such a setting becomes
useful. The D4 also becomes the first camera to make use of the XQD memory card
format.
With
the onslaught of CES launches still several days away, the big news today is
the D4, Nikon's brand new full-frame digital SLR camera. The 16.2 megapixel DSLR offers 1080/30p video
capture, an extended ISO range of 100 to 204,800, a 91,000-pixel 3D color
matrix meter and a top high-speed shooting option of 11 frames-per-second. And
with the D3 first hitting
stores nearly five years ago, this FX-mount successor was long overdue. Earlier
today, Nikon held its D4 launch event in Asia, previewing the camera before a
group of journalists in Hong Kong. We were on hand for a first look at the
massive $6,000 pro body, and were quite pleased with what we saw. Jump past the
break for our impressions..
In
what seems to be a move consistent throughout the industry, the D4's body is strikingly
similar to its half-decade-old predecessor. There's no edgy new design to speak
of, and all of the controls are exactly where you'd expect them to be. That's
not to say Nikon didn't make a few tweaks, however. First, there's a full set
of vertical controls for firing the camera and adjusting key settings without
awkwardly reaching around the body to access the buttons up top -- an
improvement that's sure to be appreciated by portrait and wedding shooters. The
main shutter release was also moved slightly forward, for a more natural feel,
and a dedicated movie capture button was added. There's also a new pair of
joystick-like controls for navigating menus and moving around an image while
zoomed in during playback. Overall, the additional controls improve upon the
interface without introducing clutter -- an advantage granted by the generous
body size.
A larger body also means more room for ports, and the D4 has plenty. To
the left of the 3.2-inch,
921k-dot LCD you'll find a proprietary connector for the TW-5A plug-in WiFi
adapter that can be used to network cameras wireless and even fire them
remotely, using the built-in web server. Below that is a full-size Ethernet
jack, if you'd prefer to go the wired route. There's also a remote connector,
microphone input jack (!), headphone jack, mini-USB and an HDMI port, which can
be used both for video playback and piping out an uncompressed live preview
feed, for capturing raw video using a external device. There are also two
memory card slots available -- one CompactFlash and one XQD, for use with the
high-speed next-gen format announced last month. All the main multipurpose
controls are just to the left of the memory card slots, while secondary buttons
can be found below and to the left of the LCD -- essential controls are now
backlit, making them possible to find in the dark.
Nikon D4 Key Specifications
§ 16.1
megapixel FX format CMOS sensor
§ ISO range from 100-12,800,
expandable from 50-204,800
§ 10
fps with full AF/ AE or 11 fps with AF locked
§ Magnesium
alloy body sealed to resist the elements
§ Accepts
CF and new XQD memory card format
§ 91,000
pixel 3D Matrix Metering system
§ 15
cross type points, with nine points that work with lens speeds of f/8 and below
§ Advanced
video features
§ Uncompressed
HDMI out
§ Mic
and audio jacks
§ Full
1080p in FX, DX and 2.7X crop modes
§ Full
manual control of Exposure
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