D4

Released March 2012

A 16.2-megapixel full-frame professional DSLR with 10 fps tracking, Full HD video and built-in Ethernet.

Type: DSLR
Sensor: Full frame
Megapixels: 16.2
Lens: Nikon F mount
Video: 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Body weight: 1180 g

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: DSLR
Sensor format: Full frame
Sensor type: CMOS
Sensor dimensions: 36 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution: 16.2 MP
Largest image: 4928 × 3280
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 100–12800
Sensor detail: 16.6 million total pixels; FX, 1.2×, DX and 5:4 image areas; maximum cropped sizes 4096 × 2720, 3200 × 2128 and 4096 × 3280 respectively; sensor-cleaning system
Image formats: 12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW with lossless compression, compression or no compression; TIFF RGB, JPEG and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detail: Expanded equivalents ISO 50–204800; Auto ISO
Image processor: EXPEED 3; Advanced Scene Recognition System

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Nikon F mount
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 10 fps
Lens detail: Compatible AF NIKKOR G/D lenses, subject to PC lens restrictions; body autofocus motor for compatible screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU AI lenses support aperture-priority/manual; non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses unsupported; DX lenses use the DX image area
Autofocus: Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX; 51 points including 15 cross-type, with 11 points supporting f/8; detection to -2 EV. Single-point, dynamic 9/21/51, 3D tracking and auto-area; AF fine-tuning; separate landscape/portrait AF-point sub-selectors
Shutter: 1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second; shutter tested to 400000 cycles
Burst detail: Approximately 10 fps with AF/AE tracking; 11 fps with focus and exposure fixed. Nikon's table lists 75 losslessly compressed 14-bit RAW images in FX under its specified 32GB XQD test conditions; the launch announcement's approximately 100 RAW claim uses compressed 12-bit files and Sony H-series XQD
Stabilisation detail: Optical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
Flash: No built-in flash; hot shoe and threaded PC sync terminal; Nikon CLS with compatible external Speedlights
Exposure controls: P/S/A/M; 91000-pixel RGB metering with 3D Colour Matrix Metering III, centre-weighted and spot modes; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting and JPEG-only two-exposure HDR

Video

Highest video resolution: 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Video detail: H.264 MOV at Full HD 30p/25p/24p, 720p 60p/50p/30p/25p or 640 × 424 at 30p/25p; actual NTSC rates 29.97/23.976/59.94. FX, DX and approximately 2.7× native 1920 × 1080 crop modes; maximum clip 29 minutes 59 seconds or 20 minutes depending on quality/frame rate. Contrast-detection AF-S/AF-F; HDMI output, index marking and time-lapse
Audio: Built-in mono microphone; 3.5 mm stereo microphone input and headphone output; adjustable sensitivity; linear PCM; voice memos for photographs

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 3.2″
Screen dots: 921,000
Display detail: Fixed TFT with 170° viewing angle and approximately 100% coverage; automatic brightness control. Nikon's global announcement gives approximately 921000 dots, while Japan rounds approximately 920000; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detail: Pentaprism; approximately 100% FX coverage, 97% 1.2×/DX, and 100% vertical/97% horizontal for 5:4; 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; grid and dual-axis virtual horizon

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 2600 photographs
Body weight: 1180 g
Release detail: Nikon Japan's surviving product page records sale on 15 March 2012; its original announcement explicitly revised the planned 16 February date on 7 February. Nikon's later global D4S announcement describes D4 as released in February 2012, so the date here uses the exact Japanese retail record
Recording media: One XQD slot and one CompactFlash Type I UDMA slot; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG and card copying. Type II CompactFlash and Microdrive unsupported
Ports: Hi-Speed USB, mini-HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets, RJ-45 Ethernet, ten-pin accessory terminal, PC sync and WT-5 expansion connector
Wireless connections: No integrated Wi-Fi or GPS; optional WT-5/WT-4 provides wireless network transfer. HTTP-server mode supports browser-based remote operation; GP-1 or MC-35 connects optional GPS equipment
Battery life detail: EN-EL18 rechargeable battery; Nikon USA rates approximately 2600 photographs under CIPA conditions
Charging: External MH-26 charger; optional EH-6a adapter with EP-6 power connector in the original Japanese specification, while the surviving US specification lists EH-6b
Dimensions: Approximately 160 × 156.5 × 90.5 mm
Weight detail: Approximately 1180 g body only; 1340 g with battery and XQD card, excluding body cap and accessory-shoe cover
Materials: Magnesium-alloy body with dust and moisture resistance; integrated vertical grip and illuminated buttons; not a waterproof rating
In the box: EN-EL18 battery, MH-26 charger, UC-E15 USB cable, AN-DC7 strap, BF-1B body cap, BS-2 shoe cover, DK-17 eyepiece, BL-6 battery cover, USB clip, UF-2 stereo cable cover and ViewNX 2 CD-ROM

Pros and cons

Pros

Full-resolution 10 fps shooting with autofocus and exposure tracking
Integrated vertical grip and illuminated controls
XQD and CompactFlash slots with backup recording

Cons

Large body weighing 1180 g before battery and card
Wireless networking requires an optional transmitter
Fixed screen and contrast-detection live-view autofocus

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
NikonD600	DSLR	Full frame	24.3	Nikon F mount	1920 × 1080 at 30 fps	760 g	Sept 2012
NikonD800	DSLR	Full frame	36.3	Nikon F mount	1920 × 1080 at 30 fps	900 g	Mar 2012
NikonD800E	DSLR	Full frame	36.3	Nikon F mount	1920 × 1080 at 30 fps	900 g	Apr 2012

Newer model: D4S.

Sources

Photo: Nikon USA front photograph with a lens; lens is not part of body specifications

Supplied BF-1B body cap: Nikon official product photograph
Supplied EN-EL18 battery: Nikon official product photograph
D4 front with mounted zoom lens: Nikon official product photograph
Supplied BL-6 battery chamber cover: Nikon official product photograph
D4 right side with mounted lens: Nikon official product photograph
D4 left side with mounted lens: Nikon official product photograph
Supplied MH-26 battery charger: Nikon official product photograph
Supplied AN-DC7 strap: Nikon official product photograph

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