Nikon D4 Review and Specs (2024)

Nikon D4 was announced in 2012 and is a Full Frame (36.0 x 23.9 mm) DSLR camera with 16.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 12,800 and expands to 50 - 204,800 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 3.2" screen with 921k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

Nikon D4 can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Here is the Nikon Dx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

Nikon Dx series lineup

	Model	Date	Sensor	Native ISO	Screen	Price
	Nikon D6 Compare	February 2020	20.8 MP Full Frame	100 - 102,400	Fixed 3.2" 2,359k dot Touchscreen
	Nikon D5 Compare	January 2016	20.8 MP Full Frame	100 - 102,400	Fixed 3.2" 2,359k dot Touchscreen
	Nikon D4s Compare	February 2014	16.2 MP Full Frame	100 - 25,600	Fixed 3.2" 921k dot
	Nikon D4	January 2012	16.2 MP Full Frame	100 - 12,800	Fixed 3.2" 921k dot
	Nikon D3S Compare	February 2010	12.1 MP Full Frame	200 - 12,800	Fixed 3.0" 921k dot
	Nikon D3X Compare	February 2009	24.5 MP Full Frame	100 - 1,600	Fixed 3.0" 920k dot
	Nikon D3 Compare	April 2008	12.1 MP Full Frame	200 - 6,400	Fixed 3.0" 922k dot
	Nikon D2Xs Compare	June 2006	12.4 MP APS-C	100 - 800	Fixed 2.5" 235k dot
	Nikon D2X Compare	June 2005	12.4 MP APS-C	100 - 800	Fixed 2.5" 235k dot
	Nikon D2Hs Compare	February 2005	4.1 MP APS-C	200 - 1,600	Fixed 2.5" 235k dot
	Nikon D2H Compare	December 2003	4.1 MP APS-C	200 - 1,600	Fixed 2.5" 211k dot
	Nikon D1H Compare	September 2001	2.7 MP APS-C	200 - 1,600	Fixed 2.0" 130k dot
	Nikon D1X Compare	June 2001	5.3 MP APS-C	125 - 800	Fixed 2.0" 130k dot
	Nikon D1 Compare	November 2000	2.66 MP APS-C	200 - 1,600	Fixed 2.0" 130k dot

You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Nikon D6 vs D5 vs D4s vs D4 vs D3S vs D3X.

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

Here we are comparing Nikon D4 to its predecessor D3S and displaying the major changes.

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D4 vs D3S.

In 2014 Nikon D4 was replaced by Nikon D4s. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Nikon D4 and its successor.

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D4 vs D4s.

Fixed screen

Nikon D4 has a 3.2" Fixed screen with 921k dot resolution.

Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification.

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 860.4 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 Nikon D4's Full Frame sensor compares with other types of sensors:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36.0 x 23.9 mm	860.4 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Camera is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3280 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions 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

Nikon D4 has Nikon F lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.

No In-Body Image Stabilization

The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

USB Input and HDMI Output

Nikon D4 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D4 comes with EN-EL18 battery pack with battery life of 2600 shots.

External Storage Slots

The camera has Dual CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) or XQD card slots.

Shutter

Nikon D4 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps.

Focusing

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

Flash

Nikon D4 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal or Wireless connection. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec. Flash compensation can be set from -3 to +1 EV with 1/3 or 1/2 or 1 EV step increments.

Nikon D4 has dimensions of 160 x 157 x 91 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.58"). It weighs 1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz), so it is a heavy camera.

Nikon D4 dimensions

We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Nikon D4 is suitable for six different types of photography.

We evaluate Nikon D4 and give score of 70 out of 100. 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.

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