Why is the D4 as much as it is?

[psreilly]

Yeah, I mean I went on to Nikon and checked the specs.. but didn't go into the tiny details. It's a long spec list. I just checked the major points and couldn't find a reason to pay the extra money. I don't know I just can't understand the price hike. Just wanted to hear from a few of you on here on it, seems strange based on what I know of the camera

Be careful that you don't fall into the "mass consumer mindset" and start looking at pixel count as the premier measure of quality in a camera. The manufacturers have emphasized pixel count to the point that that is what is currently driving the digital camera market.

On the other hand; professional photographers need to consider much more than simply pixel count if they want a camera that will perform to their specifications.

I hear you on the pixel count. When I shot MF I said the same thing, but because of the sensor size being the reason. The D4 looks more professional cause of the body, it's rugged and like a previous poster noted its 10 FPS which I didn't find when comparing, but I'll take their word for it. I watched a review recently on YouTube of the D3 and the guy reviewing compared a d600 to it and the D600 beat it on almost every stat. He actually just ended the video by saying the D3 or D4 in our case just has that professional big boy look. I don't shoot sports so the FPS isnt a huge deal for me. I suppose that's the big factor that the D series wins in though. I believe the D810 is 5 FPS

 

[Designer]

He actually just ended the video by saying the D3 or D4 in our case just has that professional big boy look.

The "look" seems like an odd qualifier.

 

[KmH]

D4
1. Built-in vertical grip
2. 2x the fps rate - up to 11 fps
3. Hi-3 ISO 102,400 & Hi-4 ISO 204,800
4. CF and XQD memory slots
5. 1 mm more viewfinder eye point
6. Compatible with more of the specialized and older and Nikon lenses.
7. Metering with lenses the D810 cannot meter without the user providing lens data.
8. D4 can meter 1 EV darker scene (Matrix or center-weighted metering).
9. No built-in flash
10. Voice Memo.

 

[EIngerson]

People pay it. That's why it's so expensive.

 

[unpopular]

D4
3. Hi-3 ISO 102,400 & Hi-4 ISO 204,800

I'm a little confused about the Hi-n ISOs. Are these actual analog gains, or are they done in post?

If they're post-exposure adjustments, then I wouldn't specifically call them features (you can push any file to smithereens). Rather, a reflection of a high performing sensor with low noise gain.

 

[KenC]

People pay it. That's why it's so expensive.

Yeah, that's always the answer to this question, or "because they can" or "it's what the market will bear" - just choose your favorite phrase.

 

[Vtec44]

It was designed with a single goal in mind: to get the photos you need at any given moment under any type of condition.

 

[unpopular]

^^^ that's really what it comes down to. This is the reason why news agencies use them (along with the 1D). They're really a specialized piece of equipment made for photojournalism where performance is more important than megapixels.

 

[chuasam]

^^^ that's really what it comes down to. This is the reason why news agencies use them (along with the 1D). They're really a specialized piece of equipment made for photojournalism where performance is more important than megapixels.

Agencies in the old days.
Now they just tell regular folks to send in their shots from an iPhone and offer a photo credit.