Nikon unveiled the Nikon D4s on January 6, 2014, at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), exactly two years after the Nikon D4 was announced.
Nikon only made passing references to the camera’s development and its plans to unveil it at the CES, even though the camera wasn’t quite ready for a full presentation.
The camera was formally unveiled at the end of February, and shipping of the first models began in March. The Nikon D4s is slightly improved over the D4 with a more extensive ISO range, quicker image processor, better cable / Ethernet speed, increased battery life, and many new firmware choices.
The Nikon D4s essentially consolidated the already excellent D4 and improved it further as an incremental improvement.
Features
Despite Nikon’s relative silence over the improvements made to the D4S’s sensor, we are informed that it is new and has an effective pixel count of 16.23 million, compared to 16.25 million for the D4. The pixel pitch stays the same at 7.3 m. Thus there hasn’t been much change.
Nikon claims that the new sensor and Expeed 4 engine combination produces a gain in noise performance of about 1.5EV, which has allowed the company the assurance to increase the native sensitivity level of the D4S by 1EV to ISO 100-25,600. The increased range also includes ISO 50-409,600.
The Expeed 4 processor enables the D4S to shoot continuously at 11 frames per second. This speed can also be controlled via the D4, but not with the corresponding capacity to focus and meter in between shots.
As many as 200 JPEG Fine grade files, 176 compressed 12-bit raw files, or 60 uncompressed 14-bit raw files can now be taken in a single burst thanks to increased buffer capacity. In addition, due to the D4S’s two-card connections, these photos can be written to CompactFlash or XQD media.
Build Excellence & Design
The memory card bay door’s altered shape shows that Nikon did not utilize the same mold for the D4S as it did for the D4. However, most other design modifications are so minor as to be practically undetectable. For instance, it isn’t easy to distinguish between the tiny variations in the shallow grooves where the thumbs rest in horizontal and portrait configurations.
However, that’s not necessarily bad because the camera is still highly cozy in your hand, whether using the horizontal or vertical grip.
The two mini-joystick-style Selector controls on the camera’s back have seen one very noticeable alteration. With their new, more rigid surface, these are now simpler to locate and use while donning gloves or working in the rain. Also, compared to the rubber-topped controls on the D4, they are easier to see when the camera is held up to the eye and have a somewhat more positive feel when in use.
At the top of the horizontal and vertical grips are two command dials, an AF-on button, and a shutter release, just like on the D4. So it stands to reason that the movie-record button above the horizontal grip adjacent to the shutter release is not replicated above the vertical grip. Still, there is a bespoke function (Fn) button.
The shutter release is located above the vertical grip. It is slightly recessed into the body, even though the configuration of these controls is very similar on both grips. The front command dial is less noticeable than the horizontal one and is more challenging to locate with your finger while still being simple to grasp. Users of D4 are already accustomed to it, so it’s not a big deal.
Most other controls are within easy reach and operate with the responsiveness you’d anticipate from a pro-level SLR. Although the D4S’s control scheme is organized and the menu is as well, there are a few oddities.
For instance, it appears unusual that pushing the ISO button and turning the main command dial is insufficient to enable the automatic sensitivity option. This function is helpful, however, given the D4S’s ability to operate in any environment and its broad sensitivity range.
Some characteristics that may be adjusted via the D4S’s information screen, which is reached by pressing the Info button twice, are a touch strange, as we’ve previously stated with other Nikon SLRs. We believe the main menu would be a better place to put the choices for modifying the preview and Fn buttons, for example. This would save room on the information panel for other features like exposure delay that might need to be accessed shot-by-shot.
The D4S has an optical viewfinder because it is an SLR, and it is excellent, showing the entire scene and being big and bright. As is customary, the region outside of the automatic cropping is muted when a DX lens is attached to the camera, making it simple to compose pictures.
Pressing the front function button activates the option in the menu, bringing up the simulated horizon in the viewfinder to assist in leveling the horizon. This uses the AF point display to show the camera’s pitch, just like Canon SLRs do; however, unlike Canon’s cameras, it remains active when the shutter release is depressed. Although you must keep track of the functional AF point while the virtual horizon is in use, this makes it significantly more helpful.
The 3.2-inch 921,000-dot LCD offers a clear view and accurately renders colors, although, as usual, it experiences some reflecting issues in very harsh lighting. However, we did not discover a need to change the screen’s default color settings.
Nikon hasn’t done much, if anything, to enhance the camera’s live View autofocusing. Although this is slow and unsure, the audience, the camera, is unlikely to find this a significant problem.
Performance
The D4S’s AF system ups the ante even though the D4’s isn’t a slouch either. The new Group-area AF option does a fantastic job of maintaining a moving subject sharp, and the periphery AF points appear to be a touch more responsive. This is advantageous since the AF points are still grouped in the center of the image frame.
It seems strange that it wasn’t labeled 5-point dynamic-area AF mode because, aside from the number of points involved (5 in Group-area AF), it’s unclear how this varies from the 9-, 21-, and 51-point dynamic-area AF modes.
Overall, the Matrix metering system easily handles “average” and bright settings. Moreover, it performs admirably with certain extremely bright subjects, producing a well-exposed shot when inferior cameras would have underexposed.
Image Quality
The D4S, Nikon’s eagerly anticipated successor to its most cutting-edge flagship DSLR, has arrived. We shot a resolution chart as part of our picture quality testing for our impending Nikon D4S review, and frankly, we were too eager to keep the results to ourselves, so here they are.
In contrast to the Expeed 3 imaging engine in the D4, the D4S has the most recent Expeed 4 imaging engine. This makes it easier to switch to the ISO 409,600 level, which is the most incredible sensitivity option available (equivalent).
Nikon D4s Specifications
| Body type | |
|---|---|
| Body type | Large SLR |
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 4928 x 3280 |
| Other resolutions | 4096 x 2720, 4096 x 3280, 3696 x 2456, 3200 x 2128, 3072 x 2456, 3072 x 2040, 2464 x 1640, 2400 x 1592, 2048 x 1360, 2048 x 1640, 1600 x 1064 |
| Image ratio w h | 5:4, 3:2 |
| Effective pixels | 16 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 17 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Expeed 4 |
| Color space | sRGB, AdobeRGB |
| Color filter array | RGB Color Filter Array |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, ISO 100-25600 (expands to 50-409600) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 409600 |
| White balance presets | 12 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (4 slots) |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW + TIFF |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal, basic |
| File format | NEF (12-bit or 14-bit, compressed or lossless compressed RAW)NEF + JPEGTIFFJPEG |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View. |
| Autofocus assist lamp | No |
| Digital zoom | No |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 51 |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Screen/viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 921,000 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD with brightness and color adjustment |
| Live View | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7× |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Exposure modes | Programmed auto with flexible program (P)Shutter-priority (S)Aperture-priority (A)Manual (M) |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe, flash sync port) |
| Flash modes | Auto FP high-speed sync, front-curtain, rear-curtain, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec |
| Drive modes | Single frame continuous low speed continuous high-speed quiet shutter-release self-timerMirror up |
| Continuous drive | 11.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weighted spot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes (2-9 frames in steps 1, 2, or 3) |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Videography notes | Bit rates for 1080/60p: 42Mbps (10 min limit), 24Mbps (20 min limit) |
| Microphone | Mono |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | CompactFlash, XQD |
| Storage included | None |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (mini-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Optional |
| Wireless notes | via WT-5A or WT-4A |
| Remote control | Yes (wired or wireless) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes (Water and dust resistant) |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Lithium-Ion EN-EL18a rechargeable battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 3020 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 1350 g (2.98 lb / 47.62 oz) |
| Dimensions | 160 x 157 x 91 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.58″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes (9999 shots) |
| GPS | Optional |
| GPS notes | via GP-1A |
Conclusion
According to our tests, the D4S expands upon the strengths of the D4 by having a better AF system, better detail reproduction at higher sensitivity levels, and a more comprehensive range of low-light capabilities.
Although it can be used for almost all types of photography, enthusiast or professional landscape photographers are more likely to be lured to a smaller, lighter model with a higher pixel count, like the Nikon D800, which has a higher pixel count.
Nikon D4s Price
Nikon D4s FAQs
Is the D4s still a good camera?
Even now, the Nikon D4s is regarded as a capable camera, mainly when photographing low-light scenes, athletics, and wildlife. It has perfect precision, performance at high ISO, and excellent photography speed. On the other hand, in terms of the features and picture resolution it offers, it may not be as competitive as more current versions.
What year did the Nikon D4s come out?
The Nikon D4s was first made available to consumers in February 2014.
Why are the D4s so expensive?
The D4s are so expensive because it was developed specifically to meet the requirements of professional photographers. As a result, it has a sturdy construction, numerous innovative features, and outstanding performance.
Is a Nikon D4s a professional camera?
Indeed, the Nikon D4s model falls into the professional camera category.
How long will a Nikon D4s last?
The amount of use a Nikon D4s receives and how well it is maintained will determine its overall lifetime. It’s possible to make it last for decades if you take good care of it.
What resolution is Nikon D4s?
The Nikon D4s has a resolution of 16.2 megapixels, making it a capable camera.
What is the frame rate of the Nikon D4s?
Continuous photography can be accomplished at 11 frames per second (fps) with the Nikon D4s, which also features complete autofocus and autoexposure capabilities.
Does Nikon D4s have WIFI?
WiFi is not integrated into the Nikon D4s in any way. Therefore, you will need an additional wireless transceiver, such as the WT-5, available as an alternative purchase to add wireless functionality.