If interested, here are 2 tables I updated yesterday to compare the NR settings Nikon engineers chose for the respective cameras. Usually they are quite helpful for me to see where software starts supporting the hardware during ISO amplification. http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/142123847/original.jpg
The second table is focussed on NR=Norm, but all intermediate ISO Settings are included. Reading the table from right to left, it is easy to see, that the "normal" ISO range gained one step each from the D3x, to the D3, to the D3s and finally D4. Nice progress for the last 4-5 years. http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/142123848/original.jpg
- AF performance in low light drastically improved. Low light, low contrast scenes in which the D3s has issues locking on, the D4 quickly picks up and accurately focusses on.
- R/W speed of the QXD card is impressive. As mentioned previously, the card snaps into place like an SD card would.
- The thumb supports for both horizontal but more significantly the vertical grip are great. Think integrated "thumbs up". Small design change, big difference. edit: just noticed that the D3s has the same "hump" on the horizontal grip, it's less pronounced though.
- AE-L is now by default set on the sub-selector (small rubber thumbstick). Obviously customizable via menu.
- Custom setting a10 allows you to store AF points by orientation, similarly to 1dmkIV
Unsure if anyone mentioned this previously, but the D4 has an electronic shutter for silent live view captures. In the shooting menu, you can set live view photography to be either Quiet or Silent. In silent operation you hear no mechanical shutter noise on capture, shutter speed it limited to 1/125th of a sec.
Andy, that 12,800 shot of the plane makes me cry. Primarily because I am going to spend the next couple of years trying to save up the coin, and creating a good justification, to pick up one of these.
- AF performance in low light drastically improved. Low light, low contrast scenes in which the D3s has issues locking on, the D4 quickly picks up and accurately focusses on.
- R/W speed of the QXD card is impressive. As mentioned previously, the card snaps into place like an SD card would.
- The thumb supports for both horizontal but more significantly the vertical grip are great. Think integrated "thumbs up". Small design change, big difference. edit: just noticed that the D3s has the same "hump" on the horizontal grip, it's less pronounced though.
- AE-L is now by default set on the sub-selector (small rubber thumbstick). Obviously customizable via menu.
- Custom setting a10 allows you to store AF points by orientation, similarly to 1dmkIV
Unsure if anyone mentioned this previously, but the D4 has an electronic shutter for silent live view captures. In the shooting menu, you can set live view photography to be either Quiet or Silent. In silent operation you hear no mechanical shutter noise on capture, shutter speed it limited to 1/125th of a sec.
Adam. I am really interested in the silent option, I shoot some symphony concerts and I need to be silent. I built a box for my D3 but it is a hassle. How long can the camera stay in the live view mode and if you go in and out of the live view mode is it noisy?
How do you like the new placement of the vertical shutter button?
