Nikon D4: Review in 2023 

I did some work for a wealthy client and noticed a D4 box on his office floor. I asked about it and he said he went Sony and had hardly even used it. Fast forward 4 years later and the camera was still on his floor. He laughed when I asked again and said why do you want it? That camera is over 8 years old. He said make me an offer ... Gave him $800 for it and when he could not find the XQD card reader that came with it, he gave me $100 back. It had only 3300 actuations. I have not used my D850 for over a year now. I absolutely love my D4 regardless of it being a beast. Results are always spectacular. Best $700 I have spent in regards to gear.

I have a D4s which now has 675,000 shutter count and is still motoring away giving me outstanding performance and image quality. These Nikon bodies are built to last!

The D4 is still my main camera. I love it. I’m a photographer, no video. It’s a piece of art.

Just got a D4 with 30k shutter. I simply love it. Sure it's big and heavy, but it's actually a nice package with a small 50mm (a different story with a 70-200).

I really like this channel, and the fact that I can get info about "old" cameras and their use today.

I own a Nikon Z-9 that I use for bird photography but when I go to do portraits I grab my D4S. They just look better and the smaller file is easier to process. Great camera. Plus all my old glass fits it.

Thanks a lot for this good comprehension and all your personal impressions. Like your videos a lot and do profit of them.

Thanks Frederick. Your reviews are one of the most honest, simple and likeable. I’ve just upgraded from a used D3s to a D4. After using a D300, D700, D7200, I can fairly I’m sold on the Nikon pro body image quality and ergonomics. Fantastic reliable cameras. Don’t think I’m ever going back to a DX format again

I had intense G.a.s for around 2 years. Made a crazy mistake of selling my d850 and df alongside 3 zeiss lenses. For a lighter, more travel friendly Fuji kit Xt-4/x-pro-3 and a couple of lenses. And after half a year I gave up and admitted to myself I made a big mistake. Happy to report that I have a practically like new d700 and a d4s on its way to me. It’s been a ride. I’ve wanted a d4/s for a very long time and I will be keeping it even when I use my Nikon film cameras. It’s good to see someone really using their photography kit and helping others. Cheers for the video.

Thank you for this review ! I just bought one, on Monday I’ll pick it up from the senzor cleaning operation :) hope to capture the best moments with it ! ✌🏻

Thank you very much for this interesting and detailed review!

Thank you for another wonderful and helpful video

thank you for this wonderful video!

I own a Nikon d4 and i love it,so fine image quality

This is a really good review!😊

One Of the best Sensor ever made , same sensor of the Df , withthe bridges pixelpitch size! with an AMAZING! dinamic range !!!!

I was lucky and ran across a D4S that had only about 9K shutter clicks and jumped on it. I was in the market for it after haven shot with a D90 and a pair of D700s. I agree, the image quality is superb, and I didn't think image quality could get better than the D700, that camera has some magic to it that I can't explain. As for weight, it just does not bother me, I shoot live events on a weekly basis and I mount the old heavy 80-200 2.8D to it along with the 180 2.8D and don't have any issues with the weight. I guess I'm used of it, I've always had battery grips, dating back to when I first purchased the D90. 16MP is not an issue for me, heck I've printed 30x20 wedding images and absolutely no issues. I love the dynamic range of the D4S, I'm always able to clean up high ISO images and over and under exposed images with no issues. In addition to everything else, I love the file management of the 16 megapixels(although storage is cheap) and it's not taxing on my current workstation and laptop workflow. Overall, the D4S is a great camera and I don't plan on not using it, even with my use of mirrorless....

Another excellent video . Thank you . I used to have a 2DX but it was stolen. I bought it new and that was a good few years ago. The portrait photos that I got from that camera were superb. Wonderful colours. I replaced it with a D700, which I still have, and also a D850. After watching your video and listening to your comments about the colours on the D4, I think I might try one.

Great video ! I have never demounted a battery grip to fit the camera in a bag. My D6 fits perfect together with the D850 in both my Peli and Thinktank airport.

I love mine. It takes better photos than my z9. Clean files with incredible resolution. Feels great and is simple enough.

Great video! I own a D850 and a D4s and also love the rendition and colors the later one offers. There is just something special about pictures from a D4/D4s. If one is not scared by the weight and size, definetly give it a try 🙂

My tote bag sets off the seatbelt sensor, so funny. That thing is a big beautiful beast! Great video review.!

Thank you Frederik! I purchased my d750 a few years ago after watching your review of it, and now I recently purchased a second one because I love it so much!

The XQD card saga is what kept me from purchasing a D500 and the D850 for years. Finally when the price of both bodies came down and the CF Express became available, I bought both bodies.

Picked up a clean D4 850 clicks, camera is in great condition happy days

Ive got 3 of them including a D4s. They are build for life..

I have a D3s and love it. It iS a tank like my D700 but the results are worth carrying it.

Absolutely agree. Traded a Nikon f6 for my d4. Absolutely love the d4. It and the fuji xt2 are my best tools for my car show photography.

The size and weight is the reason I got a D800. I'm so glad I did too.

Update: Hi Frederik. I just found an excellent D4 for $900 on MPB with only 1416 shutter count! Grabbed it immediately.

I have a D4s, I absolutely love it!! It is definitely a beast to carry around though, no doubt! I also own a D850 & Z6. They all have their place in my photography adventures. I thought about trading my D4s in for a Z9 but I just can't give it up. So, if I trade anything in, it will be the Z6. Thanks for sharing!!

excellent review!! I have a D3/D610 and I plan on getting a back up D4 for traveling. My D3 is a tank with 160k so far with plenty of life left.

Excellent review! I just got hold of one recently and everything you say is true. The images are worth it all. QXD card is expensive compared to SD Cards however buying it used will get you nearly equivalent prices. I think the card is worth it because the speed the card gives the camera allows for even more buffering speed as it's probably 200-300x faster than SD cards. So if you got a shoot that requires a machine gun speed for recording it's there. I would just hate to be the one that would have to edit all those photos. This is the only camera I would trust 100% of the time to produce straight out of the camera images. You are so right, the colors are so beautiful it makes you want to cry and give the camera a big hug. I think I had to change my drawers when I first brought the images into lightroom. You loose dynamic range as you increase ISO with cameras but the change is so subtle in this camera you can't tell, all you have to deal with is a little noise. Other cameras at low ISO's just can't touch it. The new mirrorless cameras might but I'm staying away because battery life is a big issue to me. These cameras are affordable now. I don't need 4k video and that's the only feature I see in mirrorless that's desirable. Here's the other benefit you didn't mention or even elude too. It's the feeling you get when you have the Flagship camera of all cameras, that costs new $6,000 plus. Those folks in Nat. Geo. use this camera with AWESOME effect. All that is in your hands and I don't want to sound like a snob but you want to hold it up, press that high speed button and say "DO YOU SEE THIS". Of course I'm exaggerating but that's the feeling of absolute confidence that there is no excuse for a bad photograph anymore.

Thx a lot . I will find it out

I have had my D4 about a year now and love it , the low light capabilities are very pleasing , it's a bit heavy no doubt, however i can still hand hold with my 80-400 on it

You are coming up on 9K SUBscribers, Frederik!!! That is great! 👍 Really enjoyed your review in this Video. If I were strolling along the beach, I would want one of the “Pro” cameras. I’ve heard the Z series of cameras do fairly well with regards to weather sealing. All I know is I’ve had my D700 out in inclement Weather and never a problem. It has been covered in snow before! I noticed your hot shoe didn't have the little plastic slide in cover. I use either a Nikon or ‘Vello’ brand hot shoe cover. I would make a suggestion to anyone out there to do this, and/ or put Gaffers tape over it. In fact, I use Gaffers tape over the battery and card doors as well, if I will be in really tough conditions. “Cheap Insurance!” You bring up very valid points regarding the “Service Life” of these older cameras, Frederik. Nikon can be very “Funny” to deal with, so if a person has a good local shop, I would say buy a clean used model and not give it a second thought. Shutters are generally reliable, and while cameras like the D4/D4s are rated for several Hundred Thousand actuations, they can prematurely fail. Remember that “Live View” adds an extra actuation when used, and this will affect the Shutter Count when checked on a used camera. Regarding Resolution, 16 Megapixels is often more than enough. If anyone has any doubts/ questions about Resolution, please check out Thom Hogan. He illustrates quite effectively really high resolutions are not always needed for average use. It really surprised me. 🤔 Stay safe Frederik, as well as you fellow RU-vidrs! Happy Shooting! 👍🙏✌📷😊

Love this camera, (D4s) ergonomics are a treat to use despite the weight that is not a problem, it is the reason we purchased, nice chunky well balanced camera. Most info is on the outside to set up. Purchased one with 23,000 in mint condition. 16Mp is more than enough for many and we don't use for video, we have other cameras for that. Beautiful piece of kit and always renders excellent images at high ISO numbers if needed. 12 MP for magazine layouts and 16MP for posters. NB: The D4s has a quiet mode, so you cannot hear anything, there is just a green light that lets you know a photo has been taken along with the preview that will just appear. Excellent review, thanks.

I have now : D4s , D850, D200 and SLR F5 Annyversary 50th. I have bought that all brand new and I keep it now in new top mint condition. I enjoy all of that in the same time and use them for diffirent proposalsals. No chance to stay with only one because colours and pictures are nice but so differ from each other. D4s was the last one with pure NIKON- made matrix. Later models such as D5, D6, D850 are using Toshiba or Sony matrix and develop differ colours.

Hey Frederik, another great review, thank you. I have to agree about the image quality, my D4 produces the most amazing (and in focus) images I've ever seen. As much as I love my D700, D810, the D4 is my go to body when I want to get the job done 100%. It has never let me down, the AF is so accurate that it scares me sometimes! Truly one of the last best DSLR's ever made, the D5 and D6 were kind of an anti-climax. I truly believe that Nikon achieved it's greatest level of maturity where DSLR's are concerned from 2008 - 2014 - the golden age. I say this because I've tried the D7500 as a travel camera, and D7200, the color science was horrible on these, especially the D7500. The D700, D300, D4 etc on the other hand all just gorgeous!

Great review! Whenever I use a D4s I am always impressed by the speed and image quality. I have a D800e, and I prefer images from a D4s.

I bought one long ago when first came out. Because I could lol no hope as never fully used it properly but still have it. Life changed and video took over. Maybe one day I'll pick it up again. I used an F5 massively. Love a big body. In cameras 😅 Nice video. Yup the D850 has Bluetooth and connectivity to apps etc. I have that too. Hopefully the batteries are OK. Nice video. After F5 I Got D300 'then D700. The 700 was amazing loved that camera. They dinosaurs now.

Nikons with Expeed 4 - onwards, are worth buying.

I still have several of those pro bodies. D4, D3s and the D3x. And in 2024 still very usable. Ok I got a couple of D850's but there is absolutely nothing wrong with those pro camera's from back then. I saw a comparision between the D3x and Z6 and there was no real difference in IQ.

Hi, the video is really instructive, and the Danish sea is always wild and windy! I use to use a d700 and a canon 5d for fun with prime lenses 20, 35 and 50mm for street photography. It came yesterday to me an offer of a d4 for around 425€ and 14*.*** Shots in the shutter.... I do not know what to do, seems a good price and an awesome sensor.

Worth it. Such a powerful beast. Get a good harness and a sturdy tripod.

I like the balance of this camera with the long lenses I use it with. Only two things I miss; no Group area focus mode and can’t assign area modes to buttons. But not enough to keep me from buying a second body so I will ALWAYS HAVE ONE. This feels like shooting a camera, not a computer.

i am using a D3X. Nice pro camera Nikon.

I have a d4, d7100 and Fuji film xt1. I find myself doing spontaneous family and street photography with the xt1 (using manual focus lenses), the d7100 for wildlife (mainly birding) and the d4 for cave photography. It’s big and heavy, and there are often times when I loathe carrying it into the bush walks, up mountains to caves, but it is so reliable and I get the shots I need. I can’t say it’s as fun to use as the xt1, nor as versatile as the d7100, but it’s the camera I’d choose if I simply need to get the shot.

Got the Nikon 16-35mm f4 vr based on your video

3:00 nikon in my country will try to service it, they have spare part available even after 10 years, sometimes for some camera models and will tell other nikon authorized service center in another country for spare part avaibility

Mirrorless is the rage, no doubt. The Z series is doing great. However, the D series Nikons, and the 1D series Canons, yeah the competition, are a dynasty proven in true mettle. Journalist, Sports, Historic events are/were taken by these. I have the Canon 1DX, a $6800.00 camera brand new. I have one with less than 70K on the clock, looks and runs like new! I got it for $675.00! These were made because excuses do not make money for a professional. Tough, high performing, and reliable gear does! It is not unheard of for a Canon 1DX to exceed 1 million clicks and keep on going, there are units out there with that count. No doubt the Nikon can do similar. I want a D4 or a D4s. Only thing my system is Canon, My Brother has a D4 and loves it. I also shoot Sony too. I have shot Nikon in the past and every one has been stellar. I want a Z5 but that is a splash in the pan nice to have, not what I have to have. I have dynasty cameras already. The Canon 1DX and 1D mk.4. Will I get a D3s or D4? Maybe. It is because these are proven. They have the full support and infrastructure where mirrorless isn't quite there. Service will be a concern, but seeing how cheap I can get another one, I am not too concerned.

Thank you for your sincere sharing, I am from Vietnam and am using Nikon D5 for my work. I am also wondering if I should buy a D4 for myself at this time of 2023... and through your sharing, I am no longer wondering.

I bought a D4 last year. I am still getting used to how stunning the IQ is. Awesome camera

As a beach, river, and outdoor photographer this seems like a no brainer. I can get 4K from my cellphone or a goPro. My first real camera was the F5 at the dawn of digital. Still have one I keep around for giggles. D800 is super affordable as well and you can get twice the MP's. Probably will buy both in the long run.

Dear Frederik. I finally just got a D4 ! In great shape and with 20k clicks ! Wanted to ask a very specific question, if you don't mind: can you disable the focus point illumination? The red coloured illumination I mean. We can do that on smaller bodies, but I can't find the way to do that on the D4... Could you try and let me know, please? So far the rendering is beautiful, you have convinced me, even though I have a d700 and d850... ! Thank you in advance! Have a nice day.

Excellent summary. I had a D3 and now have a D5, which is almost the same size, weight and usability. The build quality is unbeaten and it feels like a tool not a toy. Do have a recommendation for an L-bracket for the D4?

I have an old D700, came out in 2009 I think.... Nikon still services it fully. I have never had issues with that. The D4 or D4s is a beast. Will probably be Mt next camera unless I fully switch to mirrorless

Excellent. Yes it's a beast but I love it. I use it with a 300mm f2.8 and consider it my day in the gym. As you say the weight is a compromise for the fab image quality. Not sure what you mean about not zooming in the viewfinder. Is this for viewing your shots? Thanks.

Thx. In the meanwhile I found it. But I think you have two stripes. One oyour shoulder and one extra for the d4, or? With a carabiner system? It looks very comfortable. Thank you for prompt responding. Chris

What a GREAT video! Thank you so much!! I am interested only in image quality and don't mind video or weight. Currently shooting with D810 and D850. I am now thinking of buying one of these old cameras as well. Question: you think that the image quality of the D4 surpasses the D700 since you have that camera as well?

I have a Nikon D90 and I won't be replacing it anytime soon. It's fine enough for what I do with it. The D90 is only 703 gram and the D4 is 1108 gram. So that's almost half a kilo pack of sugar less in weight, and thus it might be a better camera for those who want a lighter camera that is compatible with old and new lenses (has internal focus motor) so F-fitting lenses from Type D to Type G but not Type E.

True Story - my family and I had stopped in a lay-by just outside Beauly nr Inverness [ where I had visited a Camera Store ] after buying some fish & chips - a car pulled up in front of us - an elderly lady knocked on my window asking for help - she'd just bought a brand new car and an alarm was going off continuously - I went with her and had a look - sure enough it was the seat-belt alarm - I picked up her heavy hand bag and Voila ! the noise stopped , I put her bag on the rear seat and a very happy elderly lady drove off . p.s. This is very quickly becoming one of my favourite RU-vid sites .

So, I've decided to join the club of Nikon D4 owners. It’ not that everyone needs but wants to have thing. I’ve got D3s and D800, so I can compare the experience. Well, I’ve been thinking that since D800 and D4 are the same generation and have a lot in common, they will be the same color theory and so on, but it’s not really the same. First, D4 menus system is very long. Lots of adjustments. And all knobs are programable. AF system is really great, in a day/ mixed / and low light. And you don’t need any AF adjustments at all (like D3s). Funny AF woks great and fast even with slow AFS 50F1.4G (it’s really not that great with D800, but AFS35F1.8G and AFS85F1.8G woks great with D800). Colors are richest right away. You need adjust gain on D800 to get the same colors. Exposure needs minus 0,3/0,7 adjustment, and I find D800 exposure more consistent. I’ve heard that there is something awkward with auto iso on D4. I liked that D800 AF is linked to Face priority exposure. Seems like D4 is little different. But any way, it’s like D3s - fast response, fast focus, low light performance camera. Will keep shooting further… Good luck to everyone.

I have small hands, I really like how it feels I still find it much nicer ergonomically than say my fujifilm cameras which are half the size. The weight doesn't bother me at all, conversely I like the weight, it's harder to overcome inertia in heavier objects so it shakes less, useful when you have no stabilisation. It's bulky which means you may have to make room to accommodate it in your bag, but I can live with that.

Forgot to mention the ‘ThinkTank’ and ‘Lowepro’ camera/lens single cases, as I believe you made reference to the size and ability to carry the body and lens together, Frederik? These cases will hold a larger size DSLR, with large telephoto lens attached. They are offered in several sizes. I am a fan of ‘ThinkTank,’ and have one of these cases, and they work well. Check it out.

With the software available today you can easily expand the output from this camera to rival todays offerings in quality, sharpness and dynamic range. You can bump it effortlessly to 40 megapixels and increase the sharpness at the same time. So if you are on a budget this does make a lot of sense if you can handle the weight.

I'm sitting very happily with a D3, although I would have loved to have got a D4. I know it's mad but I am thinking of taking my D3 travelling with a couple of small MF primes. Ergonomically it's the bet camera I've held. Also, I've read that the Z9 is about the same weight as the D3, which makes the D4 is ever-so-slightly lighter than the Z9.

very unfortunate that Nikon never bothered to make a firmware update to allow the D4 and D4S to use CF-Express Type B cards in the XQD slots as it is all that is required to have access to those very fast and affordable cards :( For now I think I'll keep my sights on a used D3 or D3S, there is something special in that sensor and I have a bunck of CF cards around

I have seen one with 9K shutter in good shape for 1200 Euro. Very tempting but the thing is I already have a minty D4 and D3s. And then there is my D850, D810 and so on.... The fact that Nikon does not service this camera is indeed a consideration so that is one off the negatives. But it still one off the nicest cameras ever. I really have to stop looking at those second hand websites and your video uploads😅😅😅

Thx Frederik, very likeable. Tell me, what kind of strap do your wear? Best wishes, Chris

Hi Fredrik, the video's thumbnail is what's making me comment. Have you used any older AF-D lenses on the D4 body? If so, what's your take on thw performance of this combo? I'm looking to buy a D3S very soon and the D lenses are really cheap, enabling one to try many lenses without really breaking the bank. Would you recommend using D lenses on a modern(ish) body?

I love being just a strictly “Photographer” and not a hybrid shooter. Seems everyone today is a hybrid shooter, Jack of all trades and a master of none.

After a LOT of umming & arring I eventually settled for a Nikon D7200 [ 1k shutter count ] for a mere £414 . Early days yet and I don't know if I'm imagining it but I think the colours on the D7200 are far deeper compared to my old D7000 . Still deciding on FF but will probably be a D810 .....maybe ?

Nikon no longer has main boards for the D4. I speak from personal experience. I finally found a repair shop that could get a main board, but the price was the price of a used D4.

Used D4s prices have fallen recently. I have just bought one with 90k shutter count, boxed, & warranty for £840 U.K. The 4s has been much pricer than the plain 4, but now that wide gap has narrowed a lot. I was surprised to see good pretty good 4s copies priced that low, so I thought it was time to get one.

Got my D4 last year,love it..and I don't shoot video

So funny about the seat belt sensor 😂

I recently purchased a used D4 in great condition. As far as I can tell there is no way to use a CF Express card in the XQD slot. Am I wrong?

I went with the D4s for $700 on mbp only because I wanted group area af. don't care about servicability through Nikon as KEH will service almost anything if the shutter ever fails

Hello! Nice educational videos my friend. I need some help, if you could pls. I found a bargain on a D4, but it has a catch, it has 400k clicks, which I dont care, because it wont be my main camera. The real problem is, the seller is saying the camera after 10 shots, the viewfinder can no longer find focus, but after you take the battery out and put it back, the camera will aquire focus for 10 more shots. Besides that, everything works fine. And from the outside, the camera looks well treated. He is selling the camera with 3 batteries, so I guess the battery isnt the culprit. Do you think its a firmware problem or some known issue? Best regards from Portugal!

Would love to know your favourite lens combinations with the d4

How do you clean your sensors? That always bothered me a lot.

d4s buffer is very huge!

if you only shoot for stills and no video the "old" pro cameras are a bargin! :D

Jeg har en lidt nyere D810 og bruger den stadig, de ektra megspixels er jeg rigtig glad for til mit macro fotografi. Over 250k klik og den kører stadig.

What is the difference btw the Nikon D4 and D4S ???

13:49 Aren't XQD and CF Express cards compatible with each other?? I know that I could use CF Expr. cards in my D850 🤔

do you have any issues when using the D4 with both an XQD and CF card installed at the same time? I've heard some people describe getting an error when trying to use both cards. Which brand CF card do you use?

I've had that problem with my passenger seat.. Took me over a year to figure out why it kept beeping!

amigo, conhece a sony alfa 7? tenho uma d610, quero comprar outra. Qual me indica? trabalho com festa infantil, preciso de velocidade e foco preciso

Might be a problem updating the software

Hahaa, det minder mig om Boris the blade, fra "Snatch" (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lX0MB7pJtKs.html), "heavy is reliable, if it does not work, you can always hit him with it" :D

Shoot an 8x10 on a mountain and you’ll never complain about the weight of a d4 again

Oh so I'd better not get this battered D4 with 420,000 actuations even if it's "cheap". But wow would it be better than my D750?

How size and the weight of D4 can be considered as drawback? Im not sure how people can work with small and light plus unbalanced mirrorless cameras but this is the biggest drawback of all mirrorless.

Get GoPro for video. These flagship cameras are a steal today…D4s under a thousand used? Steal!

In my country there is an D4 with 1.2 milion, yes milion, clicks on shutter. If you want i can send you on instagram the pics. 😅 And works like new, it was part of NPS, Nikon Profesional Service, with anual service and mantaince.