I am looking for the best Nikon for shooting video, make still images from the video. I think this the future for still photographers. I am using the d7000 I find I can make 91/2 x 5 1/2 prints that are close to still images. I am looking for ways to increase quality. bob
Well, on the face of it, the D4 is going to be the best Best high ISO, best options for cropping (FX/DX/100%) and then it has all the remote control features, clean HDMI out etc.
However, I suspect that's not the answer you were looking for
The D800 and D4 will be pretty close, but the D4 better (higher ISO and pixel for pixel crop mode).
But neither will be significantly better than the D7000 at low ISOs, since none go higher than 1920x1080 resolution. I disagree strongly that still frames from video is the future, for a variety of reasons, but if that's the route you want to go and want higher than 1080 resolution, you need to look at RED.
It's fair to say that if shot correctly you can get some stunning stills from video, just like we used to get from early 3MP and 4MP DSLRs. I have some stills from 1080p video that I have printed quite happily at 150ppi and they are certainly sharp enough to put in a frame and hang on a wall or stand on the side. With careful processing they can look stunning.
However, they are certainly not going to totally replace a stills camera for me in even the distant foreseeable future. Not a chance. The stills I get from video are the exception rather than the rule. You'd have to be shooting fairly high shutter speeds to avoid the natural blur that is present in many video frames.
Best high ISO, best options for cropping (FX/DX/100%) and then it has all the remote control features, clean HDMI out etc.