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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD3SNikonD4
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2009March 2012
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions36 × 23.9 mm36 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution12.1 MP16.2 MP
Largest image4256 × 28324928 × 3280
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–12800100–12800
Sensor detail12.87 million total pixels; FX, 1.2×, DX and 5:4 image areas. Maximum 1.2× image 3552 × 2368, DX image 2784 × 1848 and 5:4 image 3552 × 2832; sensor-cleaning system16.6 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 formats12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, compressed or losslessly compressed; JPEG, TIFF RGB and RAW plus JPEG12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW with lossless compression, compression or no compression; TIFF RGB, JPEG and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 100–102400; Auto ISO; high-sensitivity movie mode extends to equivalent ISO 102400Expanded equivalents ISO 50–204800; Auto ISO
Image processorEXPEED image-processing system; Scene Recognition SystemEXPEED 3; Advanced Scene Recognition System
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst9 fps10 fps
Lens detailAF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses; DX lenses supported with automatic crop. Supported non-CPU AI lenses permit aperture-priority and manual exposure, with colour matrix metering when lens data is entered; IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedCompatible 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
AutofocusMulti-CAM 3500FX phase detection; 51 points including 15 cross-type; single-point, auto-area and dynamic 9/21/51-point modes with 3D tracking; AF fine-tuningAdvanced 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
Shutter1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second; shutter tested to 300000 cycles; Quiet release mode1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second; shutter tested to 400000 cycles
Burst detailApproximately 9 fps at full FX resolution and in 1.2× or 5:4 crops; up to 11 fps in lower-resolution DX. At 10/11 fps focus locks to the first frame, and exposure also locks in poor light; VR and Auto ISO can reduce the rate. Both 12-bit and 14-bit RAW supportedApproximately 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 detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashNo built-in flash; hot shoe and PC sync terminal; compatible external Speedlights provide i-TTL and Creative Lighting System functionsNo built-in flash; hot shoe and threaded PC sync terminal; Nikon CLS with compatible external Speedlights
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; 1005-pixel RGB 3D Colour Matrix Metering II; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-LightingP/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 resolution1280 × 720 at 24 fps1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Video detailMotion-JPEG AVI at 1280 × 720, 640 × 424 or 320 × 216, all 24 fps; maximum five minutes at 720p or 20 minutes at lower resolutions. Handheld live view uses phase-detection AF with mirror interruption; Tripod live view uses contrast-detection AF, including initiated movie autofocusH.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
AudioBuilt-in mono microphone and stereo microphone input; voice memo recording and playback for still photographsBuilt-in mono microphone; 3.5 mm stereo microphone input and headphone output; adjustable sensitivity; linear PCM; voice memos for photographs
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3.2″
Screen dots921,000921,000
Tilting screenNo–
Display detailFixed TFT with 170° viewing angle and tempered-glass cover; dots count subpixels. Original US announcement and brochure specify approximately 921000 dots; Japan rounds to approximately 920000. Separate top and rear status panelsFixed 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 detailPentaprism; approximately 100% FX coverage, 97% in 1.2× and DX, and 100% vertical/97% horizontal in 5:4; 0.7× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; replaceable focusing screen and eyepiece shutterPentaprism; 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
Wi-FiNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)4200 photographs2600 photographs
Body weight1240 g1180 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies late November 2009 availability; Japan records 27 November. Main retains the monthNikon 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 mediaTwo CompactFlash Type I slots, including UDMA; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG recording and card-to-card copying. Type II and Microdrive unsupportedOne XQD slot and one CompactFlash Type I UDMA slot; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG and card copying. Type II CompactFlash and Microdrive unsupported
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, analogue NTSC/PAL output, mini-HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone input, ten-pin accessory terminal and PC flash sync; optional GP-1 or MC-35 connects external GPS equipmentHi-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 connectionsOptional WT-4 transmitter supplies network transfer; Wi-Fi is not built into the bodyNo 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 detailEN-EL4a; approximately 4200 shots under CIPA conditions with AF-S NIKKOR 24–70mm f/2.8G ED and no live view. Separate Nikon continuous test claims approximately 4700 with AF-S VR 70–200mm f/2.8 ED; EN-EL4 also supportedEN-EL18 rechargeable battery; Nikon USA rates approximately 2600 photographs under CIPA conditions
ChargingExternal MH-22 charger; optional EH-6 AC adapterExternal 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
DimensionsApproximately 159.5 × 157 × 87.5 mmApproximately 160 × 156.5 × 90.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 1240 g excluding battery, card, body cap and accessory-shoe coverApproximately 1180 g body only; 1340 g with battery and XQD card, excluding body cap and accessory-shoe cover
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy construction with dust and moisture seals; integrated vertical grip; not a waterproof ratingMagnesium-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

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