Nikon D4s vs Nikon D4

      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D4s and the Nikon D4, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D4s was introduced in February 2014 and Nikon D4 was introduced in January 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D4s Highlights

      • 16.2 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 25,600 Native ISO
      • 51 Focus Points (51 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 11.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Nikon D4 Highlights

      • 16.2 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 51 Focus Points (51 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 11.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D4s and Nikon D4.

      PROS

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 3020 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Illuminated Buttons
      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 2600 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Illuminated Buttons

      CONS

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      •   Expensive
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1350 g (2.98 lb / 47.62 oz)
      •   Expensive
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Advantage of Nikon D4s

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D4s over Nikon D4.

      Nikon D4s vs Nikon D4
      Higher Native ISO 25,600 vs 12,800
      Higher Boosted ISO 409,600 vs 204,800
      Face Detection vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 3074 vs 2965
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 13.3 vs 13.1
      Longer Battery Life 3020 shots vs 2600 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D4s.

      Advantage of Nikon D4

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D4 over Nikon D4s.

      Nikon D4s vs Nikon D4
      Cheaper US: $6499.95, UK: £5,199.99 vs US: $5999.95, UK: £4799.99
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.4 vs 24.7
      Lighter 1350 g (2.98 lb / 47.62 oz) vs 1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D4.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D4s Nikon D4
        Video Capture
        Large SensorFull FrameFull Frame
        Many Focus Points5151
        Live View Autofocus
        Large Screen3.2"3.2"
        High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/8000 sec1/8000 sec
        High DxO Overall Score8989
        HDMI Output Mini Type C
        Environmental Sealing
        Long Battery Life3020 shots2600 shots
        Many Storage Slots22
        Orientation Sensor
        Illuminated Buttons
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D4s Nikon D4
        ExpensiveUS: $6499.95, UK: £5,199.99US: $5999.95, UK: £4799.99
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via optioanal WT-5A or WT-4A transmitters via optional WT-5 or WT-5A transmitters
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        Heavy1350 g (2.98 lb / 47.62 oz)1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D4s and Nikon D4 have 3.2" Fixed screens with 921k dot resolution.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. They both have 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification.

      Sensor

      Nikon D4s features a 16.2 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 860.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600 and expands to 50 - 409,600 in boosted mode. Nikon D4 features a 16.2 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 571.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800 and expands to 50 - 204,800 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Nikon D4s is equipped with EXPEED 4 processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3280 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 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 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon D4 is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3280 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 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 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Nikon F lens mount. Due to their Full Frame sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D4s it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D4 nothing can be done. On Nikon D4 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D4s nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D4s has a Mini HDMI and Nikon D4 has a Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon D4s comes with EN-EL18a battery pack with battery life of 3020 shots and Nikon D4 comes with EN-EL18 battery pack with battery life of 2600 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have Dual CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) or XQD card slots.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D4s and Nikon D4 have Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D4s, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D4. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Nikon D4s has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D4 has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points. They both have detection range from -2 to +19 EV


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Nikon D4s and via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal or Wireless connection to Nikon D4. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D4s and Nikon D4 bodies have the same dimensions of 160 x 157 x 91 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.58"). Nikon D4s weighs 1350 g (2.98 lb / 47.62 oz) and Nikon D4 weighs 1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz).

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      160 mm

      157 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      160 mm

      157 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      157 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      157 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      91 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      91 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Nikon D4s and Nikon D4

      Nikon D4s and Nikon D4 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      GOOD
      84
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      84
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      GOOD
      76
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 3020 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 2600 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      GOOD
      72
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 3020 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 2600 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      GOOD
      80
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      75
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      GOOD
      72
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1350 g (2.98 lb / 47.62 oz)
      GOOD
      73
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1350 g (2.98 lb / 47.62 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 3020 shots
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 2600 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D4s and Nikon D4 and give them scores of 71 and 70 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      OVERALL
      71
      OVERALL
      70

      Sensor

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      GOOD
      74
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89
      GOOD
      74
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89

      Photo

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Video

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      BAD
      14
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      BAD
      14
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      GOOD
      83
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      78
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      GOOD
      79
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      79
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D4s

      Nikon D4

      GOOD
      83
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1350 g (2.98 lb / 47.62 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 3020 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      GOOD
      81
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 2600 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

      Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
      ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.