The New Nikon D4 [updated]
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 4:22PM 
Nikon finally got in to the HDSLR (DSLR cameras that shoot HD video) market in a serious way with the announcement of their new flagship model, the D4.Of course, Nikon was first to market with a video shooting DSLR camera in the D90, and while the effort was a good start from a company without professional video product background, Canon soon after released the 5D Mark II. Canon's full frame sensored camera and it's video features essentially created a new market over night, pushing aisde Nikon and it's APS-C sized sensor camera that had video in what seemed to be an after thought.
Nikon released two more cameras soon after - the D300S and the D3S, but both were limited to 720p video. There were also lots of complaints but the usual artifacting from these types of cameras - rolling shutter (the jello effect) and aliasing issues. Meanwhile, Canon continually rolled out new models, making the video in each model successively better. In September of 2010 Nikon introduced the D7000, an affordable HDSLR that was capable of 1080p, and was one of the first to implement auo-focus during video capture, as well as face-detection focus. Unfortunately, there were still several limitations in using the D7000. Changing focus modes and exposure are a pain, at best. I've shot several times with the D7000, each time being impressed and totally fustrated.
As a Nikon shooter that captures both still and video for a living, I've been anxiously waiting for a pro body that was at the top of the line for shooting stills, but also could be a great video camera, not just in terms of output, but in functionality too. I've been wanting to replace my aging Panasonic HVX200 for a few years now, just waiting for the right camera to come along. Is the D4 it?
It's too early to tell for sure - once I get a chance to shoot with it on a production I'll know more. On paper though, and from some of the early samples that have been released, it definitely looks like a winner on all fronts. On the still side it appears that Nikon has taken what was already the best still camera in the world, the Nikon D3S, and made several changes that should bring performance and quality improvements. A new 16.2MP sensor, increased ISO capabilities (now at 100-12,800, and can be extended out to 50-204,800!), a revised AF system, a brand new flash/metering system, a new image processor, in-camera HDR, and in-camera timelapse creation. The insides aren't the only thing that saw improvement - they re-thought the placement of controls on the back of the camera that make shooting in portrait mode identical to landscape mode. Wheels, joysticks, and buttons are now easier and quicker to use and much more ergonomic.
On the video side there is also a lot to be excited about. The D4 can shoot 1920 x 1080p at 24, 25, and 30 frames per second, and at 1280 x 720p can capture up to 60 frames per second. The most exciting feature though is a clean uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2 signal out the HDMI port. This means that an uncompressed signal can be captured with an external recording device, like the AJA Ki Pro mini, for the highest quality possible. Uncompressed output allows you to bypass the relatively restrictive 24Mbps H.264 recording the camera does when recording to the compact flash card. It also bypasses the restricted maximum length recording time of 30 minutes. The D4 is currently the only DSLR camera with uncompressed out HDMI.
The D4 also has a few other tricks up it's sleeve. While recording you can change the ISO, shutter speed or aperture, and the aperture adjusts smoothly, Nikon calls it Power Aperture, producing a much less jarring change in exposure. There is a headphone jack for monitoring audio, which can be viewed on screen with a levels graphic and those levels can be adjusted during recording in 20 increments. The main buttons can be illuminated when shooting in a dark environment, which is very likely with the ISO range of this camera!
One final really cool feature is the ability to control the camera wired or wirelessly using any device with a web browser. Using either an ethernet cable from the camera to a laptop, or the new optional wireless transmitter to any wi-fi device (think iOS device here), you have direct control of all the camera functions, can see a live preview when the camera is switched in to LiveView mode, trigger recording, set focus points (by touching the screen of an iPad, for instance), or transfer images or video that reside on the camera. There is no special app that is needed, as the software is built in to the D4. Genius!
If you'd like to read or see more abou tthe Nikon D4, I'm including several links to articles and videos that I've found informational so far. I'm really loklin gforward to shooting with this ground-breaking camera.... and I'll be sure to let you know when I do!
DSLR News Shooter D4 Video Run Through Video
Nikon Rumors Article with links to several videos, including wireless control, menus, and 11fps burst
Corey Rich's Why Video, shot exclusively with the D4
Joe McNally Blog Post on his experience shooting with the D4
Bill Frake's Straw Hat Visuals D4 video from Istanbul
Rob
A few new tidbits on the D4 that I learned today:
- When shooting video, a live histogram (among other options) can be displayed on the LCD
- There can be no cards in the camera when recording uncompressed out the HDMI port. Can't think of any good reason for this, but it was reported by someone who spoke to Nikon at ImagingUSA.
- The D4 can be kept in LiveView mode for 60 minutes before the camera forces the mirror to go back down.
More will be posted as I hear it!
AJA, D4, Ki Pro mini, Nikon in Photography, Video
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