Nikon D4S (2014)

Name: Nikon D4S
Brand: Nikon

Nikon announced the D4S in February 2014, during the Winter Olympics. It replaced the D4 as Nikon's flagship professional DSLR and cost $6,499.95 body-only. The build shows who it was for: extensive weather-sealing, no built-in flash, no built-in GPS, and no built-in Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi needed the optional WT-5A adapter, though an Ethernet port was built in.

The sensor is a 16.2-megapixel FX-format (full-frame) CMOS with an EXPEED 4 processor, and the shutter is rated to 400,000 cycles. The autofocus system is a Multi-CAM 3500FX with 51 points, 15 of them cross-type. It was widely regarded as the camera's standout feature, and a new AF algorithm improved accuracy with subjects moving unpredictably. Continuous shooting ran at 11 fps with full AF/AE tracking. ISO ranged from 100 to 25600 natively, expandable to 50 (Lo-1) through 409600 (Hi-4). The 3.2-inch, 921,000-dot rear LCD had no touchscreen. Video was Full 1080p at up to 60p, recorded as H.264/MPEG-4 AVC in MOV format. Storage used dual slots, one CompactFlash and one XQD. The EN-EL18a battery was rated for approximately 3,020 shots per charge (CIPA).

Reviewers praised the low-light performance. TechRadar noted that Nikon had taken more care than any company in designing a professional low-light camera, and that the D4S set a new standard for high ISO image quality. DXOMARK measured dynamic range at a strong 13.5 EV. Criticisms centered on the 16.2MP resolution being low next to rivals like the Canon EOS-1D X, the lack of built-in Wi-Fi at that price, and video features that trailed Canon and Sony offerings of the era.

On the used market today, the D4S commonly sells for around $700-$900 on eBay depending on condition. Many bodies were used hard by sports and news photographers, so high shutter counts are common and inspection is recommended. The rubber grips are known to wear and separate over time. The shutter is tough, but replacement beyond its 400,000-cycle rating is costly. The EN-EL18a battery is shared with the D4 and D5, so replacements remain available. They are not cheap.