Nikon D4 Announced - The Multimedia DSLR

January 5, 2012 – 11:23 pm

ZZ221322BE

Nikon today announced their newest top of the range DSLR, the D4.

Headline features are a massively improved video mode (no doubt to compete with Canon's lead in this area, though Nikon go on to trump them with features such as uncompressed HDMI output), support for the new XQD memory card format, a new Nikon-developed 16mp full frame FX sensor, a new MultiCAM 3500 51-point pixel AF module, and a new 91,000 pixel exposure metering system.

Going head-to-head with Canon's upcoming 1Dx ($7800), the new Nikon is priced at $5999.95 (UK price £4799.99).

It remains to be seen if using XQD is a good idea. Yes, it allows faster write times and is more robust than CF, but having dual slots of different formats isn't something I particularly like.

ISO range is the same as the D3s, with a perhaps less than expected range of 100 to 12,800, though expandable to 50 - 204,800. The D3s had a maximum expanded ISO of 102,400.

The 51-point AF module is now sensitive (at some points) down to f/8 and -2ev, from the D3s' f/5.6 and -1ev.

Video capability looks great, if that's your thing. Aside from the uncompressed output potential, the camera supports 30 and 24 fps at 1080p, along with 1.5x and 2.7x crop modes. The 2.7x crop is still at 1080p, and is interestingly the same size as Nikon's CX format sensors as used in the Nikon 1 range. The D4 can shoot at 60fps in 720p mode.

Spec list:

  • 16.2mp Nikon-developed CMOS FX sensor
  • Dust reduction system
  • Dual slots (1x XQD, 1x CF Type 1)
  • 100% viewfinder coverage, 0.70x magnification.
  • Carbon fiber shutter rated at 400,000 cycles, max speed 1/8000s
  • 1/250s flash sync speed
  • 10fps shooting speed with full AF, 11fps with no AF
  • 91,000-pixel exposure metering system
  • ISO 100-12,800 (50-204,800 expanded)
  • Multi-CAM 3500FX 51-point autofocus, down to f/8 and -2ev
  • USB 3.0 interface
  • New EN-EL18 battery, 2600 shots per charge
  • 41.6oz (1180g) camera body only
  • Illuminated function buttons

    • Will the D4 be finding a place in your camera bag? Does it do enough to meet or beat the Canon 1Dx?

    Press release More photos of the D4: click here
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D4 Announcement Leaked

January 4, 2012 – 10:57 pm

The $6,000 D4 (and a $500 85mm f/1.8 AF-S lens) is likely to be announced tomorrow (6th Jan 2011), but some sites have already jumped the gun on the press embargo. Nikon Rumors found the following. Enjoy!

Nikon Unveils New D4 Flagship D-SLR

Released : Tuesday, January 10, 2012 12:01 AM

The Nikon D4, which is slated for February availability at a $6,000 suggested retail, will offer a full-frame 16.2-megapixel full-format CMOS image sensor that will shoot full-resolution images at up to a 10 fps rate.

The camera is also one of the first to support the new XQD Compact Flash memory card format, and will also offer a second card for more conventional CF cards.

The Nikon D4 has improved low-light performance, with an ISO range from 100 to 102,400 which can be expanded to 50 to 204,800 for both movies and stills.

The D4 also improves on the D3's color matrix metering system with a third-generation 91,000-pixel RGB metering sensor.

The unit takes the AF mode select switch from the D7000 and uses improved 51-point AF points with 9 cross-type sensor and a beefed up AF module allowing focus with an f/8 lens and faster (up from f/5.6). The AF detection range is now down to EV-2.0

The viewfinder features a full pentaprism with a 100 percent field of view.

The video section will record pixel-for-pixel Full-HD 1080p resolution with selections for 30p and 24p frame rates in this iteration, and 720p at up to 60p for slow-motion work. The camera now includes support for the H.264 B frame compression scheme.

The camera uses contrast detect AF in movie recording and features a low-pass filter optimized to maximize sharpness of HD video, meaning greater noise reduction when shooting full-frame movies.

Function buttons are illuminated this year, and a dedicated video button (user re-assignable) is added near the shutter button.

The D4 supports WTSA wireless control using the optional Nikon WT-5 wireless transmitter, and features an integrated Ethernet port and HDMI output enabling output of uncompressed video.

The D4 also introduces face detection/recognition into the flagship series

Another new feature is smooth aperture control for use while shooting video.

At the same time, the company introduced the Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8G FX format lens ($500 suggested retail).

The company said the D4 is not being produced in Thailand will not have production issues from the recent flooding situation there. But whether the company will have enough supply to meet the expected demand from Nikon-aligned professional photographers and converts remains to be seen.

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NR Post Leaked D4 Specs

December 11, 2011 – 10:32 pm

Nikon Rumors have posted what they claim are the specifications for Nikon's next range-topper. The D4 seems likely to go head-to-head with Canon's recently announced 1D X.

Here's the spec list:

  • 16.2 MP
  • 11 fps
  • 100-102,400 native ISO range, expandable to 50 and 204,800
  • CF + XQD memory card slots! That's right, the Nikon D4 will have the new Compact Flash XQD memory card slot.
  • Compatible with the new Nikon WT-5 wireless transmitter
  • Integrated Ethernet in the camera
  • Face detection/recognition function that will be working in the viewfinder
  • Improved video
  • Uncompressed video out through the HDMI port
  • Ability to assign the two buttons on the front of the camera to smooth aperture control during video recording
  • Improved 51 AF points
  • AF detection range will go down to EV-2.0
  • Autofocus system: 9 cross-type sensors that are operational up to f/8

Interesting if true.

By comparison, here are the announced 1D X specs:

  • Full Frame
  • 18.1MP
  • Dual DIGIC 5+ – 17 Times The Processing Power of DIGIC 4
  • ISO 100-51200 Native
  • 100,000 Pixel RGB Metering Sensor
  • EOS iSA (Intelligent Subject Analysis)
  • 61 Point AF
  • 21 f/5.6 Cross Type Sensors
  • 20 f/4 Cross Type Sensors
  • 5 f/2.8 Cross Type Senors
  • EOS iTR AF (Intelligent Tracking & Recognition Auto Focus)
  • 12 Frames Per Second
  • 14 Frames Per Second JPG Only
  • 400,000 Shot Rated Shutter
  • Ethernet Connection
  • March Availability

So based on this, the D4 will be slightly lower resolution than the 1D X, but with a higher specified ISO -- but is that enough to fight off the competition?

I think that this leak makes sense, especially in light of the rumoured D800 specifications. It would appear Nikon are pursuing a strategy of differentiating the higher end bodies by high sensitivity/low resolution, and lower sensitivity/high resolution.

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New XQD card format ready to roll

December 10, 2011 – 2:25 am

XQD

ZZ18683949 Another new card format. The CompactFlash Association have announced the completion of the new XQD card format, designed to be the successor to the venerable CF cards we all know (and some love).

Designed to be larger than the consumer-oriented SD cards but smaller than the current CF format, the PCI-Express based XQD cards should be more scalable in terms of size and performance than CF can be.

The 38.5 x 29.8 x 3.8mm cards have a 2.5Gbps interface (with 5Gbps planned for the future), with real-world target write speeds likely to be in the 125MB/sec ballpark.

The CFA state that the specification is now available, and licenses are available in early 2012.

No partners have yet been announced, but I wonder if we'll see this format being supported in a Nikon DSLR next year?

Full details available from the CF Association.

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Nikon to fail as a company next year...

December 5, 2011 – 12:02 pm

… at least, according to industry predictions by photographer/social media pundit Scott Bourne of PhotoFocus.

Here's the quote:

A major camera maker in Japan will either fail as a company, face reorganization, bankruptcy, or be acquired by a larger company. While all the Japanese camera companies are having problems, Nikon and Olympus are least able to sustain long-term trouble but it may be some other company as well. As for Nikon and Olympus, each is a fraction of the size of Canon, not nearly as well diversified, and rely on fast turn on inventory for survival. Olympus is more diversified than Nikon. Only 16 percent of its revenue comes from cameras. With all the trials and tribulations in Japan and Thailand, all camera makers in Japan have had a rough go. Olympus is also facing a scandal related to fraud committed by executives over write downs. I really hope I am wrong about this prediction, but I am afraid I am right.

Now, Olympus I can believe - mainly because of the recent scandals that have emerged that reveal huge hidden past losses - but Nikon?

Whilst it is true that Nikon have taken a huge hit from the floods in Thailand in the last 6 months, the company has bounced back from a single-year loss in 2010 to a predicted net income of 27,000 million Yen in 2011.

Consider it "link bait" if you like, but here's the original article.

So, if Nikon were to fold, where would you jump? Canon, Pentax or Sony? ;-)

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Nikon resumes shipment of some products, factory in Thailand no longer submerged

December 1, 2011 – 3:07 pm
Rojana Industrial Park

Nikon have issued a press release detailing the state of operations following the flooding in Thailand.

The Nikon factory in the Rojana Industrial Park is no longer flooded, and they are working to restore production there. In the meantime, alternative production facilities have ramped up more quickly than they expected, and hence Nikon have been able to resume shipment of "certain digital SLR cameras and interchangeable lenses".

The cost to Nikon so far of the floods is estimated at a total of 25 billion yen, or approximately $321m.

This is to advise you of the latest situations of Nikon (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a consolidated manufacturing subsidiary of Nikon Corporation in the Rojana Industrial Park in Ayutthaya Province located in Central Thailand, which is suffering damages from the flood.

  1. Latest situations

    Water pumping-out by the Rojana Industrial Park authority around Nikon (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has completed on November 26. Following this development, we are putting all our energy into restoring infrastructure and production equipment of the factory aiming for some part of factory operation to resume from January 2012. Alternative and limited production at our partner factories in Thailand has started earlier than expected, and we have started shipment of certain digital SLR cameras and interchangeable lenses since November 30.

  2. Estimated impact to our business performance

    The impact of the flood to our business performance for the financial period ending March 31, 2012 is estimated, within the scope of our current findings and understanding, to push down net sales by 65 billion yen and operational income by 25 billion yen due to sales opportunity loss. While this estimation remains unchanged from our announcement on November 4, we assure you to immediately advise new findings once it is judged there will be an important change for it.?We are continuing our minute investigation on the damage to the buildings and production equipment/tools from the flood.

  3. Recovery

    We have set up support and recovery system under the Emergency Headquarters for Disaster Control headed by the president and continuing our endeavor for recovery and normalization of production as early as possible. Our plan to resume production of digital SLRs and interchangeable lenses to the normal level of volume by the end of March 2012 remains unchanged.

We deeply apologize you for any inconvenience cause by the disaster such as short supply of our products.

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