• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Nikon D810

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 0.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3020 vs 1200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.6 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 57 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.8 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    78 vs 23 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D810 advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Less expensive
    $3589 vs $4800*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More dynamic range
    14.8 vs 13.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    988g vs 1356g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool

  • Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)

  • Handles even better than its predecessors; Absolutely spectacular images from the 36-megapixel image sensor; Unusually wide sensitivity range for its resolution; Improved performance and buffer depths; Improved video feature set; Impressive low-light autofocus

  • Prone to moire and false color with some subjects; No longer available with a low-pass filter; Demands excellent lenses for the best detail; White balance tends warm under tungsten lighting

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D4S
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
Nikon D810
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
Nikon D810
Canon 1DX
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More dynamic range
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Nikon D810
Nikon D4
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More dynamic range
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D4S
Nikon D800
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight
Nikon D810
Nikon D800
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points
Nikon D810
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
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