Nikon D4S Review

16 Megapixels16 MegapixelsSingle Lens ReflexSingle Lens ReflexHigh ISO: ISO 6400 or more is available at full-resolution.High ISO: ISO 6400 or more is available at full-resolution.Level: Measures camera tilt and helps to keep the horizon level.Level: Measures camera tilt and helps to keep the horizon level.Continuous DriveContinuous DriveFull 1080p HD Video: 1920 x 1080 resolution or more but less than 4K.Full 1080p HD Video: 1920 x 1080 resolution or more but less than 4K.Manual Controls: Both fully-manual (M) and semi-automatic modes (T and V).Manual Controls: Both fully-manual (M) and semi-automatic modes (T and V).Custom White-Balance: Specifies exactly what should be white to the camera.Custom White-Balance: Specifies exactly what should be white to the camera.Action Photography: Shutter speeds of 1/1500 or more.Action Photography: Shutter speeds of 1/1500 or more.Night Photography: Reaches shutter-speeds longer than 4 seconds.Night Photography: Reaches shutter-speeds longer than 4 seconds.Hotshoe: Allows external flash units to be attached.Hotshoe: Allows external flash units to be attached.Spot MeteringSpot MeteringDepth-Of-Field Preview: Improve perception of DOF before shooting.Depth-Of-Field Preview: Improve perception of DOF before shooting.Weatherproof - Seals protect from dust, humidity and light splashing.Weatherproof - Seals protect from dust, humidity and light splashing.Accepts Compact Flash Type I memory.Accepts Compact Flash Type I memory.Accepts XQD memory.Accepts XQD memory.Neocamera detailed reviewNeocamera detailed reviewDiscontinued: No longer produced by the manufacturer. May still be in stock or found used.Discontinued: No longer produced by the manufacturer. May still be in stock or found used.

Nikon D4S Introduction

The Nikon D4S is their top-of-the-line professional DSLR. This 16 megapixels full-frame DSLR is an imposing camera with two grips each having dual control-dials and a considerable amount of controls. Designed for high-performance, the D4S reaches a stellar ISO 409,600 and full-resolution continuous drive at 11 FPS for over 200 frames.

This DSLR is a powerhouse for professional photographers. It has every feature expected from its class and more like a built-in viewfinder shutter, built-in HTTP server, FTP client, wired Ethernet port and dual memory-card slots.

This extremely capable DSLR is compatible with Nikon FX lenses designed for full-frame digital and film cameras and Nikon's own Creative Lighting System for studio photography. There is a requisite hot-shoe plus a sync-port but no built-in flash. The D4S is remotely controllable by wired release, networked computer and even iPhone with the right accessory. Its highly customizable controls can be adjusted to various needs of photographers.

As the D4S is nearly identical to the Nikon D4 reviewed in-depth already
Nikon D4
, this review page covers differences only. For image-quality and performance, skip to the Performance page.


Nikon D4S Features

Sensor

  • 16 Megapixels CMOS sensor
  • Full-Fame Nikon FX format
  • Standard ISO 100 - 25,600 range
  • Expanded ISO 50 - 409,600 range
  • Customizable Auto ISO
  • Built-in Dust-Reduction
  • JPEG, TIFF, RAW, JPEG+RAW or sRAW Output

Exposure

  • PASM exposure modes
  • 1/8000s - 30s Shutter-speed, plus Bulb
  • EC, ±5 EV, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps
  • FC, -3...+1 EV, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps
  • Matrix, Center-Weighed, Average & Spot metering
  • AEB, 2, 3 or 5 frames, maximum 3 EV steps, 7 or 9 frames, maximum 1 EV steps
  • Flash Bracketing, 2 - 9 frames, maximum 1 EV steps
  • Exposure Fine-Tuning, ±1 EV, 1/6 EV steps
  • Exposure and ISO steps of 1, ½ or 1/3 EV
  • HDR, 2 shots, 1-3 EV steps, 3 blending levels, single image or series

Focus & Drive

  • 51-Point Phase-Detect autofocus system
  • 15 cross-type points, 11 sensitive to F/8
  • Autofocus sensitivity down to -2 EV
  • Single-Shot and Continuous focus-drive
  • Single-Point, Dynamic-Area and Auto focus-point
  • 3D Tracking AF with OVF and Live-View
  • Contrast-detect AF for Live-View and video
  • Face-Detect AF in Live-View
  • 11 FPS Drive with AF/AE, 200 JPEG or 78 RAW maximum at highest quality
  • Customizable Self-Timer, 1-9 Shots, 2-20s Start Delay, ½-3s Interval
  • Quiet-Shutter with delayed mirror-return
  • Mirror-Up and Exposure-Delay, 1-3s
  • Multiple-Exposure, 2-10 shots, optional Auto Gain
  • Interval-Timer, 1-9999 times, 1-9 shots, 1s-24h interval, delayed start 1m-1w
  • Time-Lapse, 1s-10m interval, 1m-8h capture time
  • Optional Autofocus Fine-Tuning

Images Parameters

  • AutomaticTwo types: Normal & Preserve Warm Colors, Preset, Kelvin and Custom4 Memories WB
  • Preset White-Balance fine-tuning, 2-axis, 13-steps
  • Kelvin White-Balance fine-tuning, 1 axis, 13-steps
  • Picture Styles, 6 built-in plus user-defined
  • Automatic or Manual Sharpness, 10 steps
  • Automatic or Manual Contrast, 7 steps
  • Automatic or Manual Saturation, 7 steps
  • Manually Adjustable Hue, 7 steps
  • Manually Adjustable Tone-Curve, 3 levels
  • Virtual WB Bracketing, 2-9 frames, 3 steps, 2 axis
  • Virtual Active D-Lighting Bracketing, 2 - 5 frames
  • Optional High-ISO Noise Reduction, 3 levels
  • Optional Long Shutter Noise Reduction
  • Optional Distortion-Correction
  • Optional Vignetting-Correction
  • Optional Active D-Lighting (ADL), 5 levels or Auto
  • Optional Dust-Off reference photo
  • In-Camera RAW development

Controls

  • Dual control-dials for each grip
  • 8-Way joysticks for each grip
  • 8-Way controller for horizontal grip
  • Configurable AF-On button for each grip
  • Modeless exposure-mode button
  • Modal drive-mode dial
  • Independent AEB button
  • Customizable Function button
  • Customizable DOF-Preview button
  • Customizable Video-Record button
  • Customizable button in vertical grip
  • Live-View trigger
  • Focus-Point lock

Viewfinder & Displays

  • 100% Coverage viewfinder, 0.7X magnification
  • Built-in viewfinder shutter
  • 3.2" LCD, 920K Pixels
  • Illuminated top LCD status display
  • Illuminated rear LCD status display
  • Dual-Axis Digital-Level
  • DOF-Preview in viewfinder
  • Mechanical-Shutter Live-View
  • Electronic-Shutter Live-View, 2 MP, 24 FPS
  • Optional OVF composition grid
  • Optional OVF overlay, 1.2X, DX or 5:4
  • Sound-Level monitor

Body & Construction

  • Nikon F-mount
  • Weather-sealed body
  • Integrated vertical grip
  • Hot-Shoe and Sync-Port for external lighting
  • Compact Flash memory slot
  • XQD memory slot
  • Proprietary Lithium-Ion battery
  • Remove Live-View other Ethernet
  • GPS or wired remote connector
  • Built-in HTTP server
  • Built-in FTP client
  • 1080p HDMI output
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • Metal tripod mount

Video

  • 1920x1080 @ 60 FPS 16:9 HD Video
  • 1280x720 @ 60 FPS 16:9 HD Video
  • Built-in microphone, 20 levels
  • Stereo sound-input mini-jack
  • Stereo sound-output mini-jack
  • Quicktime H.264 codec
  • Index marking

Nikon D4S Capability - What can it do?

The Nikon D4s is among the most feature-rich digital cameras ever built, taking on the incredible feature list of its predecessor and refining a number of them. Both these cameras offer functions which are unique between them which you can read about in the Capability page of the D4 review.

The two major changes of the D4s are a new image-sensor and faster EXPEED 4 processor. The revised 16 megapixels CMOS sensor offers a standard ISO sensitivity range up of 100 - 25600. It also supports expanded ISO 50 and 51200 to 409,600 which is unprecedented. Only one other digital camera has been announced with that sensitivity which is the Sony Alpha A7S
Sony Alpha A7S
full-frame mirrorless.

The EXPEED 4 processor delivers faster performance. Together with a newly-revised mirror-mechanism which reduces black-out time, this lets the D4S maintain full autofocus and auto-exposure while shooting at 11 FPS. Buffering has been improved to allow up to 200 JPEG images at maximum image-quality or up to 78 losslessly-compressed RAW files at maximum bit-depth.

Nikon D4s

Nikon has a tradition of offering various types of RAW files and, this time, they added one more. First, just like most Nikon full-frame models, there is a choice of 14 or 12 bits. The former allows more color gradation and nuances, while using slightly more storage. While both are RAW files, which only contain one channel per pixel, the latter obviously loses some data which means should not be considered truly RAW but unprocessed. There is a choice of compression, including none, lossless and lossy. This last option saves space at the expense of image-quality but far less than JPEG compression.

The Nikon D4s adds a new Small RAW format which offers an entirely different image-quality compromise. It is, however, heavily processed to produce an 8 MP file with 12-bits per component in YCbCr format. This gives an image with a luminance channel plus deltas along the Blue and Red direction to determine colors. In practice, this is much closer to a JPEG with extra-bit-depth than what is typically known as RAW sensor data.

This DSLR provides the most advanced Interval-Timer feature of any digital camera. It can now capture 9,999 images automatically. The interval between frames can be set between 1 second and 24 hours. Up to 9 frames can be captured at each interval which makes it possible to bracket for exposure throughout the capture period. Shooting can start immediately or up to one week later. Previously, the maximum delay was 24 hours.

New to the Interval-Timer and Time-Lapse Video is an Exposure-Smoothing option. When enabled, instead of metering each frame completely independently, the D4s tried to make transitions between successive frames smoother. When assembled into a time-lapse, this results in a smoother video. One example is when shooting moving traffic. As cars pass, the metered exposure can vary greatly.

Nikon D4s

Video

Full 1080p HD video has been possible on Nikon DSLRs for a while. This one adds a number of improvements over previous generations. It can record 1080p at up to 60 FPS, with 50, 30, 25 and 24 FPS available as options. This can be output as a clean 1080p signal over HDMI while simultaneously recording onto a memory card with Quicktime format and H.264 codec.

Considering that even full HD video only requires 2 megapixels, the D4s allows video to be captured from a cropped-area of the sensor. FX (Full-Frame), DX (APS-C) and 2.7X (Nikon 1) crops are all selectable during Live-View.

Audio has been enhanced too. The recording levels can be adjusted during filming and the frequency-range of the built-in microphone can be optionally tuned for voices. There are still mini-jacks for stereo input and output. Video capture allows full manual-controls, including Auto ISO in Manual mode which lets the camera film with a constant aperture and shutter-speed while maintaining the metered exposure. Expanded sensitivities, up to ISO 409,600 are possible but not ISO 50 or 100.

Time-Lapse video uses current Movie settings which makes it possible to play back at up to 60 FPS, although twice the number of source files are obviously needed for the same length of video.

Body

Physically the D4s looks nearly identical to the D4. It somewhat heavier at 1350 versus 1180 grams. While this is a non-trivial increase, the difference is hard to notice when a quality lens is attached. Controls to the right of the LCD were slightly reshaped. Both joysticks now have a texture to improve traction and usability with gloves. The 8-way controller feels stiffer and a little harder to move though.

Nikon D4s

While the network port looks the same, it is 10X faster than before, offering Gigabit Ethernet now. USB remains at 2.0 which seems slightly behind times. Nikon still has not decided on a memory-card type as D4s continues to offer asymetric slots. One is Compact Flash Type 1 and the other is XQD. We hope to see a pair of identical slots on the next model.

The new 16 megapixels sensor and EXPEED 4 processors at the heart of the Nikon D4s are less power-hungry than their predecessors. This lets the D4s reach a whopping 3020 shots-per-charge, compared to an already stellar 2600 according the the CIPA standard.

Nikon D4S
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By Neocamera on 2014-06-10

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Nikon D4S Highlights

Nikon D4S
SLR digital camera

Sensor-Size: 36 x 24mm

Full-Frame Sensor

Actual size when viewed at 100 DPI

16 Megapixels DSLRISO 50-409600
Nikon F Mount
1X FLM
Shutter 1/8000-30s
100% Coverage
Extra Large Viewfinder
Full manual controls, including Manual Focus
2 Axis Digital LevelCustom white-balance with 2 axis fine-tuning
WeatherproofSpot-Metering
Built-in Dust ReductionHot-Shoe & Sync-Port
11 FPS Drive, 200 ImagesStereo audio input
1920x1080 @ 60 FPS Video RecordingLithium-Ion Battery
3.2" LCD 920K PixelsCompact Flash Type 1, XQD
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