Nikon D4S vs Nikon Z6

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D4S vs Nikon Z6

35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D4S Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D4S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D4S.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D4S conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z6 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z6 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z6.
Compare Nikon Z6 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z6 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5
Compare D4S vs D5
Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon Z6

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Nikon Z6

Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 5.94 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

3020 vs 380 shots
Capture more photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
78 vs 35 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 204800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon Z6 advantages over Nikon D4S

Less expensive
$1899 vs $5999*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
67 mm vs 90 mm
Thinner
Newer
5 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.80x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.5 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 10.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 10.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D4S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z6 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D4S

Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm lens and FTZ adapter

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)
Read our Nikon D4S Review

Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.
Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).
Read our Nikon Z6 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 1DX

Nikon Z6

Canon 1DX

$1797
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$5299
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S

Nikon D4

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher extended ISO

$4500
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D4

Nikon Z6

Nikon D4

$1797
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$4500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S

Canon EOS-1D C

$5999
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon Z6

Canon EOS-1D C

$1797
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6989
35mm

Bigger pixels
Dual card slots

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Sony A7 III

Nikon D4S

Sony A7 III

$5999
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1665
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D4S vs Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

$1797
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

$1665
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Canon EOS R

Nikon D4S

Canon EOS R

$5999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1583
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R

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