D800 vs D4

[jdeg]

The following is a comparison between the new D800 & D4. First, here is what is different:

Feature	D4	D800
Price	$5,999.95	$2,999.95
Effective Pixels	16.2 million	36.3 million
Sensor Size	36.0mm x 23.9mm	35.9mm x 24mm
Storage media	CF, XQD (1 slot of each)	CF, SD, SDHC, SDXC (1 slot CD, 1 SD)
Top Continuous Shooting	10 fps, 11fps AE/AF locked	4fps
ISO	100-12,800 Lo-1 50 Hi-4 204,800	100-6400 Lo-1 50 Hi-1 12,800 Ui-2 25,600
Movie	HD 1,920x1,080 / 30 fps HD 1,920x1,080 / 24 fps HD 1,280x720 / 30 fps HD 1,280x720 / 60 fps	HD 1,920x1,080 / 30 fps HD 1,920x1,080 / 24 fps HD 1,280x720 / 30 fps HD 1,280x720 / 24 fps HD 1,280x720 / 60 fps
Wi-fi	WT-4a, WT-5a	WT-4a, eye-fi card
Built in flash	no	yes
Interface	ethernet jack	no ethernet jack
Battery	EN-EL18	EN-EL15
Battery life	2,600 shots	900 shots
Dimensions	Width 6.3 in. (160mm) Height 6.2 in. (156.5mm) Depth 3.6 in. (90.5mm)	Width 5.7 in. (144.78mm) Height 4.8 in. (121.92mm) Depth 3.2 in. (81.28mm)
Weight	41.6 oz. (1180g)	31.7 oz. (900g)

See here for an explanation as to why the D800 has a higher resolution sensor.


What is the same:

• FX format
• 3.2in screen
• 100% viewfinder coverage
• 9, 21, 51 AF points w/ 3d tracking
• 91,000 pixel RGB sensor
• HD 1080p video
• H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding
• Fastest shutter speed 1/8000
• Live view
• CLS supported
• HDMI output: Type C mini-pin HDMI connector, Headphone Connector, NTSC, Stereo Microphone Input, Super Speed USB 2.0

The D4:

The D800:

 

[Jared Rogers]

I have a D300 I've outgrown and am ready for a new Nikon body...
I could afford a D4 or D800... but I'm frankly torn on which to purchase!

I think I'll likely get more enjoyment out of the D800 because I'm most passionate about my landscape photography. However the wireless capabilities of the D4 really had me excited and the D4 may be overall more practical. The ability to use the WT-5a (along with all the wireless controls) on the D800 would be my ideal solution.

I know a lot of folks would jump at the D4 but the nearly $3000 savings could go towards a lot of other things.... What would you do in my position?

 

[Clayton]

Get the D800 and use the extra cash for lenses/accessories for it. You lucky devil you

 

[Mark E]

I have the D700, when all the talk about a new replacement started, I thought no chance I would put down my D700. But, having seen the stats on the new D800, may have to rethink that.

 

[michaelmurphy007]

I was and always have been a Canon shooter. The D4 and everything it offers persuaded me to jump ship. I invested in the D4 with a few outstanding Nikkor lenses, including the newest 85 1.8G, the 50 1.4G and the awesome 24-70 nano coated 2.8G. The decision was made while trying to decide between the new D4 and the new 1DX. Hands down and as I've always fantasized, the new Nikon pro system won the battle. A lot of Canon investment to go onto Craigslist. More importantly, I don't care what everyone has been brainwashed to think but the megapixel count is not the only thing to do with superior image quality. To defend that statement, just watch Jared Polin on his "fro knows" CES tour. He mentions a forty something megapixel camera offered by Fisher Price or some other children's toy manufacturer. The gadget is priced as low as a large junky infant's toy can be, probably around fifty bucks. Would you think that because of its megapixel count, the toy will shoot superior images to the Nikon D4? Highly doubtful.

I'm quite aware of pixel size vs. count when it comes to image quality. Bottom line, I ordered my new Nikon system and have been sleepless at nights awaiting its arrival. By the way, my current Canon system sports more MPs than my new switch. I'd be crazy to switch to Nikon for a system that produces images of a lower quality. Nope, I've thrown the MP marketing ploy right out the window. I want top notch quality. Period. Through research, I've found that the D4 will offer nothing less than just that. Considering video, hell, I'm a still shooter. Could care less about it. So, my opinion on stills is not biased one way or the other. I focused on stills and stills only. Think of this, I ordered the D4 and have time to change my mind. I could easily swap for the D800 with its abundance of MPs, grab a few more lenses and save even more money. Guess what? Not gonna happen. My long research has lead me right into Nikon D4 hands. I will miss Canon but the truth is in the pudding.

Without all the mumbo jumbo...

D4....all the way!!!!

Another sleepless night ahead.

Save the extra bucks and go for quality over quantity.

Good night my (new) Nikon friends.

M.A.M.

 

[jdeg]

To defend that statement, just watch Jared Polin on his "fro knows" CES tour. He mentions a forty something megapixel camera offered by Fisher Price or some other children's toy manufacturer. The gadget is priced as low as a large junky infant's toy can be, probably around fifty bucks. Would you think that because of its megapixel count, the toy will shoot superior images to the Nikon D4? Highly doubtful.

Hey Michael - welcome to Nikonites! It's funny that you mention that. I actually ran into Jarad at CES and had a quick chat with him. I got to mess with the D4 a little as well (see the front page of the site). That was fun

But yeah, a lot of people don't understand megapixels. This is one reason I wrote the explanation of the pixel counts of the D4 and D800. I'm sure in the near future camera companies will start throwing another measure out there for marketing, like pixel density or something.

 

[michaelmurphy007]

jdeg,

thank you. It is already becoming a strange transition and I don't even have the gear yet. lol. Again, I'm super excited to join the Nikon and Nikonite world. Yeah, good old marketing. Such a powerful force in the world. My brother (R.I.P.) was a creative director for a large ad firm. I once heard him tell someone, something along the lines of, creating the perception of reality. I don't remember the line exactly but the idea really stuck in my head. Amazing.

 

[gqtuazon]

I've tried the D800 and it was amazing camera that can provide vivid clarity after zooming in to 300x. AF seems to be better than my D700 and the larger LCD matches the MP it has. Zoom in all you want.

However, after trying the D4, this camera set at Ch (around 9fps?), it focuses quicker and shoot it like a machine gun. Wow! What an amazing camera. One must try this first instead of just reading the specs, reading opinions of others, and watching video clips. A test drive is a must if you are left between a D800 and D4. If you are not ready to commit, then don't try either.

Congrats Michael on your purchase. Not too many are willing to jump ship since most photographers, like yourself, have invested a lot on glass.

 

[bobmielke]

Considering I'm strictly an amateur these days I'm going to stick with my new D7000. I have a fair amount of money invested in new DX glass and find the low light capabilities of my D7000 very appealing. I'm not an action photographer so the frame rates won't sway my decisions. I'm quite able to create sharp prints to 20"x30" and bigger so I'll pass on the incredibly high resolution of the D800.

My 50mm F/1.4D prime lens will do fine on either an FX or DX body.

 

[Jared Rogers]

I could be wrong about this but won't the large format give me the added benefit of liberally cropping post-process without sacrificing print quality at normal sizes?

 

[bobmielke]

It's more high resolution rather than a larger format. A larger resolution will allow more latitude to crop but so would software such as OnOne's Perfect Resize.

 

[Jared Rogers]

I'm thinking specifically about ariel photography in clear skies with a quick shutter.... Say ISO200 1/2000. Conceivably for real estate purposes I could use 20% of the image and still get a lot of detail. Something my D300 definitely isn't giving me now...

 

[Phillydog1958]

Thanks for the comparison, although I'm not in the market for either camera. It is nice to know the distinct differences between these 2 impressive cameras.

 

[michaelmurphy007]

BUMMER! just discovered that the d4 won't ship for at least one more month. Was totally expecting mine, like a child on xmas eve, any day now. So sad. I waited this long, a month shouldn't hurt me.

 

[Dr Daniels]

In my humble opinion, the D4 was designed solely for photo journalists, sport photographers, and perhaps wildlife as well.
They don't need the excessive resolution of a D800, and need something very robust that can do 9fps for a long time.

The D800 is more geared at studio work, landscape, weddings, videographers, and purists amateurs.
I believe Nikon did an excellent job in defining the market very clearly this time, whereas before it was more a question of 'entry-level' full frame body vs full pro bodies.

The insanely priced D3x is now a thing of the past. I say good riddance because at this price bracket, I'd rather go medium format.

 

[bobmielke]

In my humble opinion, the D4 was designed solely for photo journalists, sport photographers, and perhaps wildlife as well.
They don't need the excessive resolution of a D800, and need something very robust that can do 9fps for a long time.

The D800 is more geared at studio work, landscape, weddings, videographers, and purists amateurs.
I believe Nikon did an excellent job in defining the market very clearly this time, whereas before it was more a question of 'entry-level' full frame body vs full pro bodies.

The insanely priced D3x is now a thing of the past. I say good riddance because at this price bracket, I'd rather go medium format.

I've been doing a lot of reading in the past few months on the reports on the D800 & D4. Even the camera store professionals can't believe what Nikon has done. As long as you know your needs as a photographer the two camera bodies are very specifically designed to meet the different need you mentioned.

I think it's a fantastic time to be a photographer and a Nikonite. The technology and capabilities of today's cameras are exciting. Now if I could just get it to stop raining, snowing and spitting here in the Pacific Northwest, I'd gladly be outside in this photographer's dream location shooting. LOL

 

[gqtuazon]

BUMMER! just discovered that the d4 won't ship for at least one more month. Was totally expecting mine, like a child on xmas eve, any day now. So sad. I waited this long, a month shouldn't hurt me.

Well, the good news is that it will be available on the 15th of March in Japan.

Will be Released on March 15 this Item, 2012
using google chrome: amazon in Japan.


Amazon.co.jp�F Nikon ƒfƒWƒ^ƒ‹ˆêŠáƒŒƒtƒJƒ�ƒ‰ D4: ‰Æ“d�EƒJƒ�ƒ‰

 

[Jetranger]

I have spoken to people who have bought the D800 and then upgraded to the D4 for the ISO and superior handling of noise.
I don't need more MPs and would prefer better quality shots in smaller files.
We have reached the point where larger files and more MPs doesn't equate to better quality in the same conditions.
Don't listen to people that can only afford the cheaper one, speak to people that have owned both.

 

[pedroj]

If I had the money the D4 would be mine...I, like Micheal think the 16 mp's of the D4 to be more then enough for what I shoot..10 frames per sec...2600 shots...

 

[pedroj]

I have spoken to people who have bought the D800 and then upgraded to the D4 for the ISO and superior handling of noise.
I don't need more MPs and would prefer better quality shots in smaller files.
We have reached the point where larger files and more MPs doesn't equate to better quality in the same conditions.
Don't listen to people that can only afford the cheaper one, speak to people that have owned both.

Welcome to the forum Jetranger..