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Nikon D4 vs Nikon Df

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD4NikonDf
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2012November 2013
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions36 × 23.9 mm36 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution16.2 MP16.2 MP
Largest image4928 × 32804928 × 3280
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–12800100–12800
Sensor detail16.6 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 systemFX CMOS with 16.2 million effective pixels USA/global or 16.25 million Japan; total 16.6 million USA or 16.61 million Japan. Nikon explicitly confirms the same image sensor as D4. Image Sensor Cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data; FX 4928 × 3280 and DX 3200 × 2128
Image formats12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW with lossless compression, compression or no compression; TIFF RGB, JPEG and RAW plus JPEG12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, lossless-compressed or compressed; TIFF RGB, JPEG Fine/Normal/Basic with size-priority or optimal-quality compression and simultaneous RAW/JPEG. Adjustable/custom Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processing
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 50–204800; Auto ISOStandard ISO 100–12800 in one-third stops; Lo expansion down to ISO 50 equivalent and Hi expansion up to ISO 204800 equivalent; automatic sensitivity control
Image processorEXPEED 3; Advanced Scene Recognition SystemEXPEED 3
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst10 fps5.5 fps
Lens detailCompatible 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 areaF mount with body AF coupling and contacts; G/E/D, other AF and AI-P lenses with restrictions, non-CPU lenses and DX crop support. Collapsible metering lever allows compatible non-AI lenses; register focal length/maximum aperture and match camera aperture setting to lens ring for metering in A/M. IX and F3AF lenses excluded; Digital Camera World's all-mode AI metering wording should not be applied indiscriminately to non-CPU lenses
AutofocusAdvanced 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-selectorsMulti-CAM4800 phase detection with 39 points, nine cross-type and seven central f/8-compatible points; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C. AF-S/AF-C, fine-tuning, single-point, dynamic nine/21/39, 3D tracking and auto-area. Live view uses contrast AF-S/AF-F and face/wide/normal/tracking areas; current USA AF-A listings conflict with Japan's modes and USA's own live-view AF-F table, while Photography Blog's 51-point dynamic description conflicts with maker 39
Shutter1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second; shutter tested to 400000 cyclesElectronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; mechanical dial selects 1/4000 to 4 seconds in whole stops, command dial extends to 30 seconds in one-third stops; Bulb and Time. X-sync 1/200 second, up to 1/250 with reduced flash range
Burst detailApproximately 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 XQDApproximately 5.5 fps full-resolution continuous high or 1–5 fps continuous low; USA conditions specify manual focus, M/S, 1/250 second or faster and other settings at defaults. Quiet single-frame, mirror-up and configurable self-timer; Photography Blog's quiet-continuous 3 fps claim conflicts with maker's listed release modes. Japan buffer table gives 100 Large Fine JPEGs or 29 lossless-compressed 14-bit RAW frames at ISO 100 with SanDisk SDSDXPA-008G-J35 SDHC and specified settings; Digital Camera World's 37 RAW 14-bit claim differs
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationVR depends on attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashNo built-in flash; hot shoe and threaded PC sync terminal; Nikon CLS with compatible external SpeedlightsNo built-in flash; external i-TTL Speedlights, hot shoe and ISO 519 PC sync terminal, compatible Auto FP up to 1/4000. Current USA flash-control text mentions a nonexistent built-in flash, while Photography Blog denies the PC terminal despite listing it elsewhere; Japan explicitly confirms the terminal
Exposure controlsP/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 HDRP/S/A/M; 2016-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±3 EV compensation, exposure/flash and white-balance bracketing; two-exposure HDR, interval timer and dual-axis virtual horizon. Mechanical exposure dials remain readable when powered off
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 30 fps–
Video detailH.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-lapseStill-image camera with live view; no movie recording
AudioBuilt-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 size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots921,000921,000
Touchscreen–No
Tilting screen–No
Display detailFixed 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 subpixelsFixed 3.2-inch TFT, approximately 921000 dots USA or 920000 Japan; 170° viewing angle and approximately 100% coverage, adjustable brightness and top status LCD
Viewfinder detailPentaprism; 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 horizonPentaprism; approximately 100% FX coverage or 97% DX, 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 15 mm eyepoint, grid and depth-of-field preview
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)2600 photographs1400 photographs
Body weight1180 g710 g
Release detailNikon 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 recordNovember 2013 release month; Nikon Japan records actual sale on 28 November, with global announcement dated 5 November. The regional day does not establish earliest worldwide sale; Digital Camera World's introductory 2014-vintage wording differs from maker's 2013 release
Recording mediaOne XQD slot and one CompactFlash Type I UDMA slot; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG and card copying. Type II CompactFlash and Microdrive unsupportedOne SD/SDHC/SDXC slot with UHS-I in the battery compartment
PortsHi-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 connectorHi-Speed USB, mini HDMI Type C, PC sync and accessory terminal for MC-DC2 cable release, WR-1/WR-R10 remote or GP-1/GP-1A GPS; shutter button accepts a traditional threaded cable release
Wireless connectionsNo 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 equipmentNo built-in Wi-Fi or GPS; optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter and GP-1/GP-1A GPS. Photography Blog's WU-1b wording conflicts with Nikon's WU-1a specification
Battery life detailEN-EL18 rechargeable battery; Nikon USA rates approximately 2600 photographs under CIPA conditionsEN-EL14a, approximately 1400 CIPA shots; current USA also lists EN-EL14 compatibility
ChargingExternal MH-26 charger; optional EH-6a adapter with EP-6 power connector in the original Japanese specification, while the surviving US specification lists EH-6bExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5b AC adapter with EP-5A connector
DimensionsApproximately 160 × 156.5 × 90.5 mmApproximately 143.5 × 110 × 66.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 1180 g body only; 1340 g with battery and XQD card, excluding body cap and accessory-shoe coverApproximately 710 g body only; 765 g with battery and SD card, excluding body cap
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy body with dust and moisture resistance; integrated vertical grip and illuminated buttons; not a waterproof ratingMagnesium-alloy top, back and bottom covers; dust- and water-resistant sealing. Global maker specifies all three metal covers rather than only the top/back described by Digital Camera World
Colours–Silver or black
In the boxEN-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-ROMEN-EL14a, MH-24, UC-E6 USB cable, AN-DC9 strap, BF-1B body cap, BS-1 shoe cover, DK-26 eyepiece cap with cord and DK-17 eyepiece (Japan package)

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