Nikon released the Nikon D4, a Nikon FX-format camera that serves as the new flagship model in Nikon's lineup of digital-SLR cameras. The D4 is equipped with a new Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor (imaging size of 36.0 x 23.9 mm) and EXPEED 3, the latest image-processing engine specifically optimized for digital-SLR cameras. It has an effective pixel count of 16.2-million pixels, and promises to offer superior image quality under a broad range of lighting conditions with its image sensor supporting a wide range of sensitivities from ISO 50 to ISO 204800.

The new 91K-pixel (approximately 91,000 pixels) RGB sensor supports the Advanced Scene Recognition System, which is able to recognize human faces even when images are framed using the optical viewfinder. In addition, the Advanced Scene Recognition System offers improvements in AF, AE, i-TTL flash control, and auto white balance (AWB) control accuracy. The 51 focus point AF system has been improved with faster initiation of autofocusing and the ability to detect and focus on subjects with less lighting. In addition, 11 focus points are fully functional when lenses with a maximum aperture of f/8 are used. All of this means more precise autofocusing when super-telephoto NIKKOR lenses are used with teleconverters (2.0x). The Multi-area Mode Full HD D-movie movie recording function is capable of recording full-HD movies at 30 fps, and offers three movie recording formats.



What's more, the D4 records 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 WT-5 is connected to the camera. The D4 is also equipped with a number of new functions that support a more efficient workflow for professional photographers, including one that allows users to add IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) information to images.

Other D4 functions and features

- Durable shutter that has passed testing for 400,000 cycles
- Magnesium alloy adopted for the very strong body that is very resistant to dust and water
- Effective sealing using O rings and packing make the camera more resistant to dust and water
- Silent shutter-release mode for live view photography that almost completely eliminates the sounds of the mirror and shutter operation
- A time-lapse photography feature, with which the camera automatically takes photos at selected intervals to record a time-lapse movie, which can be played back at 24?36,000x normal playback speed
- Operation optimized for both horizontal (landscape) and vertical (portrait) shooting
- Button backlights (illuminators) for increased visibility when working in dimly lit or dark situations
- High-performance viewfinder, utilizing a glass pentaprism, with a frame coverage of approximately 100% (FX format) and magnification of approximately 0.7x
- Four image area options for still shooting - FX (36 x 24), 5:4 (30 x 24), 1.2x (30 x 20), DX (24 x 16) - with viewfinder indicator that identifies the current image area
- A 3.2-inch, approximately 921k-dot LCD monitor with reinforced glass and wide viewing angle; integration of the glass and panel reduce internal reflections
- A virtual horizon that shows the degree to which the camera is tilted sideways (roll), forward or backward (pitch) with display in the monitor and viewfinder
- White balance that can be adjusted in units of 10 K; white balance can be specified separately for shooting (white balance applied to images) and monitor display with still-image shooting in live view mode
- Capture NX 2 Ver. 2.3 for significantly faster processing

The camera will launch in late February 2012 and will sell for about $6,000.

Specifications

Type
Type	Single-lens reflex digital camera
Lens mount	Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)
Effective pixels
Effective pixels	16.2 million
Image sensor
Image sensor	36.0 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor (Nikon FX format)
Total pixels	16.6 million
Dust-reduction system	Image sensor cleaning, Image Dust Off reference data (requires optional Capture NX 2 software)
Storage
Image size (pixels)	FX format (36x24): 4,928 x 3,280 [L], 3,696 x 2,456 [M], 2,464 x 1,640 [S] 1.2x (30x20): 4,096 x 2,720 [L], 3,072 x 2,040 [M], 2,048 x 1,360 [S] DX format (24x16): 3,200 x 2,128 [L], 2,400 x 1,592 (M), 1,600 x 1,064 (S) 5:4 (30x24): 4,096 x 3,280 [L], 3,072 x 2,456 [M], 2,048 x 1,640 [S] FX-format photographs taken in movie live view (16:9): 4,928 x 2,768 [L], 3,696 x 2,072 [M], 2,464 x 1,384 [S] DX-format photographs taken in movie live view (16:9): 3,200 x 1,792 [L], 2,400 x 1,344 [M], 1,600 x 896 [S] FX-format photographs taken in movie live view (3:2): 4,928 x 3,280 [L], 3,696 x 2,456 [M], 2,464 x 1,640 [S] DX-format photographs taken in movie live view (3:2): 3,200 x 2,128 [L], 2,400 x 1,592 [M], 1,600 x 1,064 [S]  A DX-based format is used for photographs taken using the DX (24x16) 1.5x image area; an FX-based format is used for all other photographs
File format	NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed or uncompressed TIFF (RGB) JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8) or basic (approx. 1:16) compression (Size priority); Optimal quality compression available NEF (RAW)+JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats
Picture Control System	Can be selected from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape; selected Picture Control can be modified; storage for custom Picture Controls
Media	XQD and Type I CompactFlash memory cards (UDMA compliant)
Dual card slots	Either card can be used for primary or backup storage or for separate storage of NEF (RAW) and JPEG images; pictures can be copied between cards
File system	DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras) 2.3, PictBridge
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder
Frame coverage	FX (36x24): Approx. 100% horizontal and 100% vertical 1.2x (30x20): Approx. 97% horizontal and 97% vertical DX (24x16): Approx. 97% horizontal and 97% vertical 5:4 (30x24): Approx. 97% horizontal and 100% vertical
Magnification	Approx. 0.7x (50 mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0 m-1)
Eyepoint	18 mm (-1.0 m-1; from center surface of viewfinder eyepiece lens)
Diopter adjustment	-3 to +1 m-1
Focusing screen	Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VIII screen with AF area brackets and framing grid
Reflex mirror	Quick return
Depth-of-field preview	When Pv button is pressed, lens aperture is stopped down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or by camera (P and S modes)
Lens aperture	Instant return, electronically controlled
Lens
Compatible lenses	Compatible with AF NIKKOR lenses, including type G and D lenses (some restrictions apply to PC-NIKKOR lenses), DX lenses [using DX (24x16) image area], AI-P NIKKOR lenses, and non-CPU AI lenses (exposure modes A and M only); IX-NIKKOR lenses, lenses for the F3AF, and non-AI lenses cannot be used The electronic rangefinder can be used with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster (the electronic rangefinder supports the 11 focus points with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/8 or faster)
Shutter
Type	Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Speed	1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb, X250
Flash sync speed	X=1/250 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/250 s or slower
Release
Release modes	S (single frame), CL (continuous low speed), CH (continuous high speed), Q (quiet shutter-release), (self-timer), MUP (mirror up)
Frame advance rate	Up to approx. 10 fps (CL) or approx. 10 to 11 fps (CH)
Self-timer	2 s, 5 s, 10 s, 20 s; 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 s
Exposure
Metering	TTL exposure metering using RGB sensor with approx. 91K (91,000) pixels
Metering method	Matrix: 3D color matrix metering III (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering III (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame; diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 12-mm circle or average of entire frame) Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
Range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)	Matrix or center-weighted metering: -1 to 20 EV Spot metering: 2 to 20 EV
Exposure meter coupling	Combined CPU and AI
Exposure modes	Programmed auto with flexible program (P); shutter-priority auto (S); aperture-priority auto (A); manual (M)
Exposure compensation	-5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Exposure bracketing	2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
Exposure lock	Luminosity locked at detected value with the center of the sub-selector
ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)	ISO 100 to 12800 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 1 EV (ISO 50 equivalent) below ISO 100 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 2, 3 or 4 EV (ISO 204800 equivalent) above ISO 12800; auto ISO sensitivity control available
Active D-Lighting	Can be selected from auto, extra high +2/+1, high, normal, low or off
ADL bracketing	2 frames using selected value for one frame or 3 to 5 frames using preset values for all frames
Focus
Autofocus	Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, fine-tuning, 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors; f/8 supported by 11 sensors)
Detection range	-2 to +19 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F)
Lens servo	Autofocus (AF): Single-servo autofocus (AF-S); continuous-servo autofocus (AF-C); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status Manual focus (M): Electronic rangefinder can be used
Focus point	Can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points
AF-area modes	Single-point AF, 9-, 21- or 51-point dynamic-area AF, 3D-tracking, auto-area AF
Focus lock	Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo autofocus) or by pressing the center of the sub-selector
Flash
Flash control	TTL: i-TTL flash control using RGB sensor with approx. 91K (91,000) pixels is available with SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600 or SB-400; i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR is used with matrix and center-weighted metering, standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR with spot metering
Flash modes	Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync; auto FP high-speed sync supported
Flash compensation	-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Flash bracketing	2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
Flash-ready indicator	Lights when optional flash unit is fully charged; flashes after flash is fired at full output
Accessory shoe	ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)	Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-910, SB-900, SB-800 or SB-700 as a master flash, and SB-600 or SB-R200 as remotes, or SU-800 as commander; auto FP high-speed sync and modeling illumination supported with all CLS-compatible flash units except SB-400; Flash Color Information Communication and FV lock supported with all CLS-compatible flash units
Sync terminal	ISO 519 sync terminal with locking thread
White balance
White balance	Auto (2 types), incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual (up to 4 values can be stored), choose color temperature (2,500 K to 10,000 K); all with fine-tuning
White balance bracketing	2 to 9 frames in steps of 1, 2 or 3
Live View
Modes	Live view photography (quiet or silent), movie live view
Lens servo	Autofocus (AF): Single-servo autofocus (AF-S); full-time servo autofocus (AF-F) Manual focus (M)
AF-area modes	Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, subject-tracking AF
Autofocus	Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame (camera selects focus point automatically when face-priority AF or subject-tracking AF is selected)
Movie
Metering	TTL exposure metering using main image sensor
Frame size (pixels) and frame rate	1,920 x 1,080; 30p (progressive), 25p, 24p 1,920 x 1,080 crop; 30p, 25p, 24p 1,280 x 720; 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p 640 x 424; 30p, 25p  Actual frame rates for 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively; all options support both high and normal image quality
File format	MOV
Video compression	H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding
Audio recording format	Linear PCM
Audio recording device	Built-in monaural or external stereo microphone; sensitivity adjustable
ISO sensitivity	Automatically adjusted in the range ISO 200 to 12800 or ISO 200 to Hi 4
Maximum length	Approx. 29 min. 59 s (20 min. depending on frame size/rate and movie quality settings)
Other options	Index marking, time-lapse photography
Monitor
Monitor	8-cm (3.2-in.), approx. 921k-dot (VGA) TFT LCD with 170°viewing angle, approx. 100% frame coverage, and automatic monitor brightness control using ambient brightness sensor
Playback
Playback	Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images) playback with playback zoom, movie playback, photo and/or movie slide shows, histogram display, highlights, photo information, GPS data display, auto image rotation, voice memo input and playback, and IPTC information embedding and display
Interface
USB	Hi-Speed USB
HDMI output	Type C mini-pin HDMI connector; can be used simultaneously with camera monitor
Audio input	Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5-mm diameter; plug-in power supported)
Audio output	Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5-mm diameter)
10-pin remote terminal	Can be used to connect optional remote control, GPS Unit GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional GPS Adapter Cord MC-35 and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector)
Ethernet	RJ-45 connector
Peripheral connector	For Wireless Transmitter WT-5A/B/C/D
Supported languages
Supported languages	Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian
Power source
Battery	One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL18
AC adapter	AC Adapter EH-6b; requires Power Connector EP-6 (available separately)
Tripod socket
Tripod socket	1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Dimensions / weight
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx. 160 x 156.5 x 90.5 mm/6.3 x 6.2 x 3.6 in.
Weight	Approx. 1,340 g/2 lb 15.3 oz with battery and XQD memory card but without body cap and accessory shoe cover; approx. 1,180 g/2 lb 9.6 oz (camera body only)
Operating environment
Operating environment	Temperature: 0 to 40°C/32 to 104°F; humidity: less than 85% (no condensation)
Accessories
Supplied accessories (may differ by country or area)	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL18, Battery Charger MH-26, USB Cable UC-E15, Camera Strap AN-DC7, Body Cap BF-1B, Accessory Shoe Cover BS-2, Eyepiece DK-17, Battery Chamber Cover BL-6, USB Cable Clip, ViewNX 2 CD-ROM