Nikon launches D4 its flagship Digital SLR Camera

Nikon Corporation has announced the release of the Nikon D4, a Nikon FX-format camera that serves as the new flagship model in Nikons lineup of digital-SLR cameras.

Hahah, cute yes? Dont worry. The actual size is not this of course!

This is actually a thumbdrive that was in our goody bags.

I thought it looked big at first, but it fits into my Aspire S3 nicely without any issues.

And heres the actual unit the Nikon D4!

Below: The D4, size as held in hand. It was a bit bulky to me but photographers at the launch assured me that for a pro level camera of this range, the size is actually acceptable.

The Nikon D4 launch was officiated today by David Ng, General Manager of Consumer Produc! ts Marke ting Department.

Speaking at the launch, David Ng said, Over the past 5 years, Nikon has achieved remarkable development & growth in Malaysia. In fact, for 7 consecutive years, Nikon has been the No. 1 DSLR brand in Malaysian and is among the top three brands in the compact camera segment.

The D4, as Nikons current flagship model, pushes the limits of what is capable in a dSLR today. Utilising Nikons newly developed FX-format CMOS sensor, the D4 is able to capture images from ISO sensitivities of 50 to 204800 (standard: 100-12800), expanding the usability for professionals and serious amateurs alike.
The 16.2 megapixel sensor also provides superior image quality under a variety of trying situations.

Specifically made for professionals capturing sports and fast-paced events, the D4 is fitted with the new EXPEED 3 image processor. The EXPEED 3 is responsible for the D4s 10 frames-per-second shooting speed, in addition to suppressing noise in higher ISO sensitivities while providing a broader dynamic range.

The Nikon D4s Advanced Scene Recognition System comes with a 91,000 RGB sensor for more accurate face detection and metering capabilities, which senses and exposes detected faces correctly. This facilitates more accurate sensing of autofocusing, exposure, i-TTL flash control and white balance aspects of photography.

The D4 also comes with 51 focus points, enabling the full frame body to focus even under dim lighting. It has 15 cross-type focus points in the centre of the frame and Nikon claims that these points can detect phase differences in lenses with a maximum aperture of f5.6 at -2 exposure value (ISO 100, 20C/68F). The autofocus system supports AF and AE tracking in FX format at maximum burst rate too.

The D4 also has a dedicated movie-record button that is placed near the shutter-release button which makes it feel more natural when shooting movies. Movie modes include FX-format, DX-format (1.5 crop), and 1080p crop. The FX-format video mode enables pleasing bokeh characteristics due to the 36mm x 23.9mm sensor size, providing cinema-like movie recording capabilities.

Like all Nikon flagship cameras, the D4 is also weather-sealed, using O-rings and a magnesium alloy chassis for a durable, robust body that can sustain professional use (and abuse). Its viewfinder provides near-100% frame coverage with a 0.7x magnification, while its 3.2-inch 921k dot LCD monitor enables the photographer to view, shoot silently in live view mode and review photographs in clearly.

The D4 is also equipped with all the bells and whistles demanded by a professional today; portrait and landscape mode optimized operation, backlit buttons for low-light shooting ease, custom white balance in 10k increments, microphone and headphone jacks, sound visual indicator during movie! shoots, dual card slots, ethernet port, a highly durable shutter (~400,000 cycles), and a time lapse photography function (viewable as a movie in-camera).

Thedual card slots & ethernet portis another of Nikons special features for the D4.
It allows the D4 torecords images to memory cards faster with built-in support for high-speed, UDMA 7-compatible CompactFlash memory cards and next-generation, high-speed XQD memory cards.

In addition to built-in wired LAN features, the D4 also supports high-speed image transfer via wireless LAN when the new, compact, easy-to-use Wireless Transmitter H062 (available separately) is connected to the camera. Other functions includes allowing users to add IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) information to images.

Nikon has also updated its proprietary image editing software, Capture NX 2 to version 2.3 in anticipation for the launch of the D4.

Last but not least, the question that everyones being wanting to ask : How much is the investment?
Well, UNOFFICIAL price (and not quoting anyone here) is RM16,888.
Again, according to the pro photographers at the event, it is a fair price considering the D4s features and capabilities. So, what do YOU think? :)