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Nikon DSLR Cameras
D4/D4s
D4 vs D3s vs D3x
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<blockquote data-quote="JerryPH" data-source="post: 101982" data-attributes="member: 12393"><p>Looking at this on an iPad now, and it all looks good. This is using Safari, nothing else.</p><p></p><p>When comparing 2 or more cameras, there are two trains of thought here. One are the people that love numbers and others that actually use the cameras and can speak from real life experience.</p><p></p><p></p><p>If we use the empirical numbers, according to Dx0, which I am really not fond of, according to them, the dynamic range of the D4 is 13.1 stops and 12 stops for the D3s.</p><p></p><p></p><p>In their review of the D4, however, they say that the D4 does have an edge over the D3s in low light performance, but it is close... then go and do something that I think is stupid, by giving the D4 a low light rating of 2965 vs the D3s' rating of 3253... what is up with that???</p><p></p><p></p><p>I have used the D3s in the past and I own the D4, and I must say that with previous cameras like the D700, D3 and D3s, when using high ISO numbers of ISO 6400 and up, the grain was very randomized and difficult to clean. </p><p></p><p></p><p>With the D4, I am seeing regular patterns to the noise, and this makes it much easier to remove it more effectively. An ISO 6400 shot with a D700 looks a lot "dirtier" than the D4 at ISO 25,600 before processing, but after processing with Lightroom, I am getting less loss of detail and cleaner results with the D4 shot than the D700. Throw in that 15% increase in resoluition on top of this which "shrinks" the visible noise, and it is pretty easy to see why you can get an easy 1 stop better low ISO performance over the D3s, irrespective of what DxO mark have as a rating.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Of course there are many more things other than DR and ISO, though these two are improved in the D4, there is the different processing. With the D3s, skin tones all come out the traditional Nikon magenta tinge, which if you want faithful reproduction, does require a good amount of change in post processing.</p><p></p><p></p><p>With the D4, this has been improved on a LOT, but that said, there is still room for improvement, however, they are IMHO about 75% closer to where they should be with the D4 than the D3s.</p><p></p><p>Ergonomics are way better on the D4. The tilted shutter buttons reduce finger fatigue in real life and in situations where I had a numb shutter finger after 15+ hour weddings, with the D4 my finger is a lot less sore and is no long numb, ever. On a D3s if you want to change focus points in portrait mode, your thumb needs to be stretched way over, so anyone with medium or smaller hands cannot do it without lowering the camera from their eye. The D4 doubles up on the switch in the form of 2 joy-sticks and on top of that, "remembers" the location of where the focus point was in both portrait and landscape modes, meaning if you are shooting people, the top focus point is used. If you used the center top point in landscape mode and again the center top in portrait mode, the camera recalls where you had it last and the focus point changes when you flip the camera, no need to change focus point manually each time.</p><p></p><p>Video mode on the D4 is way improved over the D3s. Longer times, higher quality, direct uncompressed output, many more video modes, adjustable levels, plugs for external mics and many other features that are not present on the D3s abound.</p><p></p><p></p><p>So, is the D4 a good candidate for an upgrade from a D3s? That reall depends on the purchaser. If the above points are important to you, yes, the D4 is a good upgrade.</p><p></p><p></p><p>I upgraded from a pair of D700's and from that level, it was a no brainer decision to upgrade! Where I was pushing the D700 close to it's limits, the D4 is now pushing me to match what it can do... and so far, it's capabilities still easily are above what I am pushing it to. Where ISO 12,800 were just barely usable on the D700, those same level of quality come on the D4 at ISO 102,400, and even slightly better!</p><p></p><p>This camera is a lot more than just the numbers on a sheet show. I feel it is a worthy successor to the D3s, and the only downside to the camera for me is reduced battery life. Where I needed one battery a day on a D3s, I need 2 on a D4, no biggie, but still annoying, yet not enough to stop me from choosing the D4 as my choice of camera. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="JerryPH, post: 101982, member: 12393"] Looking at this on an iPad now, and it all looks good. This is using Safari, nothing else. When comparing 2 or more cameras, there are two trains of thought here. One are the people that love numbers and others that actually use the cameras and can speak from real life experience. If we use the empirical numbers, according to Dx0, which I am really not fond of, according to them, the dynamic range of the D4 is 13.1 stops and 12 stops for the D3s. In their review of the D4, however, they say that the D4 does have an edge over the D3s in low light performance, but it is close... then go and do something that I think is stupid, by giving the D4 a low light rating of 2965 vs the D3s' rating of 3253... what is up with that??? I have used the D3s in the past and I own the D4, and I must say that with previous cameras like the D700, D3 and D3s, when using high ISO numbers of ISO 6400 and up, the grain was very randomized and difficult to clean. With the D4, I am seeing regular patterns to the noise, and this makes it much easier to remove it more effectively. An ISO 6400 shot with a D700 looks a lot "dirtier" than the D4 at ISO 25,600 before processing, but after processing with Lightroom, I am getting less loss of detail and cleaner results with the D4 shot than the D700. Throw in that 15% increase in resoluition on top of this which "shrinks" the visible noise, and it is pretty easy to see why you can get an easy 1 stop better low ISO performance over the D3s, irrespective of what DxO mark have as a rating. Of course there are many more things other than DR and ISO, though these two are improved in the D4, there is the different processing. With the D3s, skin tones all come out the traditional Nikon magenta tinge, which if you want faithful reproduction, does require a good amount of change in post processing. With the D4, this has been improved on a LOT, but that said, there is still room for improvement, however, they are IMHO about 75% closer to where they should be with the D4 than the D3s. Ergonomics are way better on the D4. The tilted shutter buttons reduce finger fatigue in real life and in situations where I had a numb shutter finger after 15+ hour weddings, with the D4 my finger is a lot less sore and is no long numb, ever. On a D3s if you want to change focus points in portrait mode, your thumb needs to be stretched way over, so anyone with medium or smaller hands cannot do it without lowering the camera from their eye. The D4 doubles up on the switch in the form of 2 joy-sticks and on top of that, "remembers" the location of where the focus point was in both portrait and landscape modes, meaning if you are shooting people, the top focus point is used. If you used the center top point in landscape mode and again the center top in portrait mode, the camera recalls where you had it last and the focus point changes when you flip the camera, no need to change focus point manually each time. Video mode on the D4 is way improved over the D3s. Longer times, higher quality, direct uncompressed output, many more video modes, adjustable levels, plugs for external mics and many other features that are not present on the D3s abound. So, is the D4 a good candidate for an upgrade from a D3s? That reall depends on the purchaser. If the above points are important to you, yes, the D4 is a good upgrade. I upgraded from a pair of D700's and from that level, it was a no brainer decision to upgrade! Where I was pushing the D700 close to it's limits, the D4 is now pushing me to match what it can do... and so far, it's capabilities still easily are above what I am pushing it to. Where ISO 12,800 were just barely usable on the D700, those same level of quality come on the D4 at ISO 102,400, and even slightly better! This camera is a lot more than just the numbers on a sheet show. I feel it is a worthy successor to the D3s, and the only downside to the camera for me is reduced battery life. Where I needed one battery a day on a D3s, I need 2 on a D4, no biggie, but still annoying, yet not enough to stop me from choosing the D4 as my choice of camera. :) [/QUOTE]
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