Many current D4 owners might be wondering how their cameras compare to the newly announced Nikon D4s. In this comparison article, I will provide information about both cameras, along with my analysis of the main differences. I do not yet have a review sample of the Nikon D4s to do more in-depth side-by-side comparisons, so I decided to write about differences in specifications between the two. More details about the D4s will be published in my upcoming Nikon D4s review.
First, let’s talk about differences in camera body design.
Nikon D4s vs D4 Camera Body Design Comparison
While most of the camera design stayed the same, Nikon has made a few minor changes to the Nikon D4s. The front of the camera stayed pretty much the same, except for the grip. Per Nikon, the grip is now slightly redesigned to fit larger hands for more comfort. The back of the camera looks mostly the same, except for two changes – the memory card door is now shaped slightly differently on the top and the surface of the two smaller joysticks (for vertical and horizontal grip) has been redesigned for more comfort. I personally don’t care for the door, but the joystick change is a great improvement in my opinion, since that was one thing that I did not like on the D4. Here is the comparison of the back of the two cameras (Left: Nikon D4s, Right: Nikon D4):
Aside from these changes, I do not see any major body changes worth talking about, so let’s move on to differences in camera specifications. The below specifications comparison only shows differences between the two cameras – identical information has been intentionally removed.
Nikon D4s vs D4 Specification Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon D4s | Nikon D4 |
|---|---|---|
| Image Processing Engine | EXPEED 4 | EXPEED 3 |
| Native ISO Sensitivity | ISO 100-25,600 | ISO 100-12,800 |
| Boosted ISO Sensitivity | ISO 50, ISO 51,200-409,600 | ISO 100, ISO 25,600-204,800 |
| RAW SIZE S | Yes | No |
| Advanced Scene Recognition System | Yes, Group Area AF added | Yes |
| Face Priority analysis for viewfinder shooting | On/Off possible with custom setting | Always On |
| Spot White Balance when using Live View | Yes | No |
| Preset White Balance | 1-6 possible | 1-3 possible |
| Frame Advance Rate | 11 fps with AF/AE | 10 fps with AF/AE |
| Group Area AF | Yes, 5 AF Sensors | No |
| Video Recording | 1920×1080 @ 60/50/30/25/24p | 1920×1080 @ 30/25/24p |
| Wired LAN | 1000 Base T Support | 100 Base T Support |
| Buffer Capacity | 200 JPEG Fine L 133 12-bit lossless compressed RAW 176 12-bit compressed RAW 104 14-bit compressed RAW | 170 JPEG Fine L 92 12-bit lossless compressed RAW 92 12-bit compressed RAW 76 14-bit compressed RAW |
| Change Focus point size in Live View Movie | Yes | No |
| Fine Tune LCD Color | Yes | No |
| Full aperture metering during Live View for stills | Yes | No |
| Interval timer / Time lapse movie | Up to 9999 shots | Up to 999 shots |
| Battery | EN-EL18a | EN-EL18 |
| Time-lapse Interval Timers Exposure Smoothening | Yes | No |
| Weight (Body Only) | 1,240g | 1,180g |
| MSRP Price | $6,499 | $5,999 |
Aside from a faster processor, faster fps, superior ISO performance (with the native ISO increasing in 1 full stop to ISO 25,600) and a few minor features and tweaks here and there, we do not see major changes between the two cameras. Although it is expected to be a smaller periodic upgrade, I was expecting to see more for the $500 price difference. At this point, it is hard to say how the two will stack up in noise performance – we will leave that to later time, when I receive the D4s for testing.
Helpful! Thanks!
what about the D5, is coming soon??? regards tony
I think that we have enough cameras with video and need to get back to what a camera is meant for…photography. Surely, if they make cameras now without video, they could use that space to give cameras ISO’s that, actually get to the high numbers they say. Get faster fps, LCD screens that show the actual clarity of the image. How many of us, have taken a photo, looked at the LCD, thought it looked good only, to get it on the computer and it didn’t look that great (my hands in the air).
I’d like to see a DSLR D5, D6 or even a D7 etc… 24mp, 15fps, better LCD, no video, maybe adding something new like a inbuilt VR system or what ever but video is dead space.
Bottom line is, Canon, Nikon etc… need to get rid of making the video better and get back to making an AWESOME camera and then use that free space to make it a reality. Lastly it is about time that Nikon started coming out with some new lenses for sports,wildlife,portraits etc… For it seems you either have nasty…average lenses at ok prices, good lenses at very high prices. Tamron has come a long way up the ladder with their 150-600 VC.
Hey I also have a D800 Im trying to sell to get the D4s or the D4. But I’m not sure if I want to sell it or keep it as a secondary since I still love using it.The only thing that I hate about it is how large the files are, takes forever to edit, loading, and taking up so much storage sucks. I might just buy a used D4, their prices have dropped 1/3 of the price($4000) thanks to the D4s, so I was thinking that might be a good option for me? Any suggestions?
any help would be helpful, thanks!
I will wait for the D14 to comes out ..it’s going to out do the D4s , D5/s, D6/s, D7/s, D8/s, D9/s, D10/s, D11/s, D12/s, D13/s ..the D14 will have 40fps .iso 1billion .100mp .voice command , infrered ,photoshop 25 built in , instagram , a starbucks acct. , missile detection and a force field ..
lol I think the D14 would probably have over 100mp by then… at your rate your going to start running into the numbers they already have, like the D40! Might as well just get that now, you’ll be ahead of your time! :D
Or maybe by then they’ll change the D to E and start over from E1…lol
,..You were right…the Nikon Z 9🤣
it turned out to be mirrorless. LOL
DP Review has just posted their studio comparisons of the 4Ds. The raw files are most definitely not better than those from the 4D. In fact, in my judgement the 4D shows less noise.
Suresh, see this: photographylife.com/nikon…comparison
While D4s will be a fantastic camera, price increase does not appear to be very a smart move : you can get a used D3s plus a brand new D800 or D800E for the price of D4s. To me, the latter is a better deal. One may argue, D4s buyer may be less worried about the price, but then keeping the same price as D4 on the D4s may have created a formidable competition for Canon’s 1DX. Anyway, I am not an MBA, so may be I don’t get it.
Im gonna wait 12 months for the D4, with a launch price of 7500 euro’s. Just kidding, what should i do? I can buy the D4 for 4650 euro’s, via a special deal, normally it costs 5200 euro’s, or wait for the new D4S, but its gonna cost 6149 euro!
If money is of concern and 1500 euros is a lot of money then the D$ is a great camera – it really is.
The only point I would think about in that case is re-sale value if you plan to do that, the D4S will have a much higher value, were the D4 will drop in value because of the D4S.
I have a D4 and will probably not upgrade until the next camera, I LOVE the D4 – best camera I have ever had.
Rob
Agree… i owned most Niks since f3! D4 best yet!
2022 September…i just got a D4 for $600 US…..I love it …now i am thinking of D4S… should i buy it ?? $ 1300US .300K shutter count?
Personally, I cannot wait until the D6s arrives, which is sure to outdo both the D4 and D5 series. :-)
HIGH ISO Comparison Samples here
Big Improvement in Noise between D4 and D4S
h t t p://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1375310
Regards
Rob
Robert, I have seen the images earlier today. I cannot say if there is big improvement to be honest – looking at ISO 12800 and 25600, there seems to be more aggressive noise reduction applied by the camera. Also, the images provided are JPEG files and who knows how Nikon is cooking those in camera. Would be interesting to see differences in RAW. To me, I see a lot of artifacts at high ISOs above 3200 – could mostly be a software tweak. I don’t think there will be more than 1/2 stop of difference between the two. Until I or someone else gets a D4s and does a comparison of RAW files, I don’t know if I can trust what I see so far. Also, the images were shot with different sharpness settings and the first images appear to be blurry – that can hide the details and make images appear better than they really are…
I agree – but its the first samples so far
You better test it good :)
Rob
Yes Sir, will sure do :) I already requested the D4s, hopefully will get it from the first batch!