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Nikon D4 vs Nikon D3S

Nikon D4

Nikon D4

Camera summary

The Nikon D4, made by Nikon, is a powerful Large SLR camera. Announced on Jan. 6, 2012. This camera has a Max Boosted ISO of 204800. Well, that's what I call a night vision camera, its ISO will allow you to work practically in conditions were light is poor, practically darkness, way to go, especially if you enjoy night photography.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
3.6 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
3.6 out of 5 stars
Physical
2.7 out of 5 stars
Average Score
3.5 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Nikon D3S, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Nikon D3S

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Nikon D4s, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Nikon D4s

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 16 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 51 focus points. Also you can take advantage of its versatile cross-type points. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

Max video resolutions

1920 x 1080

Expect recording in 1920 x 1080 with support for the following formats: MPEG-4, H.264.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

EN-EL18

The battery of this camera can last up to 2600 shots per charge with the included EN-EL18 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

This camera offers a robust battery life that the medium value of all cameras. Feel free to take pictures freely, without having too worry too much about battery life.

Environmental sealing

This camera offers enviromental sealing keeping it protected and safe from environmental damage.

Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S

Camera summary

The Nikon D3S, made by Nikon, is a powerful Large SLR camera. Announced on Feb. 16, 2010. This camera has a Max Boosted ISO of 102400. This kind of camera will offer a good performance under low light conditions, probably has a pleasant grain effect in your pictures.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
4.1 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
3.3 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
3.6 out of 5 stars
Physical
4.2 out of 5 stars
Average Score
3.5 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Nikon D3, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Nikon D3

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Nikon D4, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Nikon D4

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 12 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 51 focus points. Also you can take advantage of its versatile cross-type points. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

Max video resolutions

1280 x 720

Expect recording in 1280 x 720 with support for the following formats: Motion JPEG.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

EN-EL4a

The battery of this camera can last up to 4200 shots per charge with the included EN-EL4a battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

This camera offers a robust battery life that the medium value of all cameras. Feel free to take pictures freely, without having too worry too much about battery life.

Environmental sealing

This camera offers enviromental sealing keeping it protected and safe from environmental damage.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Autofocus specs

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
Af center
Yes
Yes
Af continuous
Yes
Yes
Af Contrast Detection
No
Yes
Af Face detection
No
No
Af live view
Yes
Yes
Af multi area
Yes
Yes
Af phase detection
Yes
Yes
Af selective
Yes
Yes
Af single
Yes
Yes
Af touch
No
No
Af tracking
Yes
Yes
Number of cross focus points 15 15
Number of focus points 51 51

Connectivity

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
HDMI
Yes
Yes
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless connectivity Optional -
DXO color depth 24.7 23.5
DXO dynamic range 13.1 12.0
DXO low light ISO 2965.0 3253.0
DXO overall score 89.0 82.0

Exposure mode

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
AF area
No
No
average
No
No
Center weighted
Yes
Yes
Multi segment
Yes
Yes
partial
No
No
spot
Yes
Yes

General

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
AKA - -
announced Jan. 6, 2012 Feb. 16, 2010
Body type Large SLR Large SLR
brand Nikon Nikon
msrp $2,949.95 $995.00
model Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
Predecessor model Nikon D3S Nikon D3
Successor model Nikon D4s Nikon D4

Lense

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
Focal length multiplier 1x
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Manual focus
Yes
Yes
Macro focus range - -
Number of lenses 316 316

Other features

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
GPS Optional Optional
Self-timer Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Storage slots 2 2
Storage type CompactFlash, XQD Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA
Timelapse recording
No
No

Photography features

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
AE bracketing
Yes
Yes
Aperture priority
Yes
Yes
Built-in flash
No
No
Custom white balance
Yes
Yes
Exposure compensation
Yes
Yes
External flash
Yes
Yes
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Image stabilization
No
No
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Yes
Max continuous shooting 11.0 fps 11.0 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Minimum shutter speed 30 30
Shutter priority
Yes
Yes
WB bracketing
Yes
Yes

Physical

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
Battery life 2600 shots 4200 shots
Battery model EN-EL18 EN-EL4a
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Crush proof
No
No
Dust proof
No
No
Environmental sealing
Yes
Yes
Freeze proof
No
No
Physical dimensions 160 x 157 x 91mm 160 x 157 x 88mm
Shock proof
No
No
Water proof
No
No
Weight 1340 grs 1240 grs

Screen

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
Live view
Yes
Yes
Screen resolution 921 921
Screen size - -
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Touch screen
No
No

Sensor

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
Max boosted ISO 204800 102400
Max image resolution 4928 x 3280 4256 x 2832
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Yes
Yes
Sensor area - -
Sensor dimensions 36 x 23.9 mm 36 x 23.9 mm
Sensor resolution 16 12
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor type CMOS CMOS

Headphone port

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
Headphone port
Yes
No
Max video resolution 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720
Microphone port
Yes
No
Video formats MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)

Viewfinder

Nikon D4 Nikon D3S
viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
viewfinder coverage - -
viewfinder magnification - -
viewfinder resolution no electronic viewfinder no electronic viewfinder