• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D4
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A57
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D3S
D3S vs D4
 
Successor:    
General
Model Number: D4 A57
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $5999.95 $799.99
Street Price: $4,499.95  
Date Available: 2012-02-15 2012-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 47.5 oz (1,347 g)
includes batteries
29.2 oz (828 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.6 in.
(160 x 157 x 91 mm)
5.2 x 3.8 x 3.2 in.
(132 x 98 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 16.1
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 7.31 microns 4.82 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 89 75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.7 23.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.1 13.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 2,965 785
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4928 x 3280 (16.2 MP, 3:2),
3696 x 2456 (9.1 MP, 3:2),
2464 x 1640 (4.0 MP, 3:2),
4096 x 2720 (11.1 MP, Other),
3072 x 2040 (6.3 MP, Other),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
3200 x 2128 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2400 x 1592 (3.8 MP, Other),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
4096 x 3280 (13.4 MP, 5:4),
3072 x 2456 (7.5 MP, 5:4),
2048 x 1640 (3.4 MP, 5:4)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
3872 x 2160 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG, NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG; TIFF (RGB) JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 11.1 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
640x424 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (60p(PS)/​60i(FX)/​60i(FH)/​24p(FX)/​24p(FH))
1440x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Linear PCM) AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: n/a Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.06x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes
Digital Zoom Values:   Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, fine-tuning, and 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors with f/8 supported by 11 sensors) Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.44M/1.25M-dot LCD (480K/418K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.04x/0.97x magnification, 23.1/25.2mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.69x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 1.04x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 46.0x 13.6x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 16000
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 12,800, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 204,800 in Hi-4 Auto (100-3200), 100 - 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto (2 types), incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual (up to 4 values can be stored), choose color temperature (2500 K-10000 K), all with fine-tuning Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 91K-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III, Center-weighted (75% given to 8, 12, 15 or 20mm circle), Spot (4mm) centered on selected focus area 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None Portrait, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night scene, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait; Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto Portrait Framing, Picture Effect (Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature), Dynamic Range Optimizer (Off/Auto/Level),
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20s; 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
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 Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO 518 hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / XQD MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory: UDMA7 compliant  
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG; TIFF (RGB) RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Linear PCM) AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: Yes No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,Ethernet USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired, wireless Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended): Type-C mini HDMI with uncompressed video support, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, Audio input (stereo 3.5mm jack with power), Audio output (stereo 3.5mm jack), Peripheral connector for WT-5 Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.41  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.39  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.39  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 11.1 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 25
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 11.1  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): Unlimited  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 11.1  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 62  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.50 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.197 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.043 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): OVF: Full Autofocus lag, 51-point Auto Area = 0.254s Live View: Full Autofocus lag = 1.497s Prefocused lag: 0.197s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 2600 shots 550 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL18 (10.8v 2000mAh) Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL18 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Sony Software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:   Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 16.2-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor, Expeed 3 processor, Upgraded 51-point AF module, 91K-pixel RGB exposure sensor, Bursts up to 10 fps with AE/AF, 11 fps with AF/AE locked, Full HD video capture, Dual Compact Flash and XQD card slots, Ethernet port, Illuminated controls, External headphone and mic jacks. SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4.5 EV correction), Full HD 1080p60 Video, Up to 12 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, New Auto Portrait Framing, Tilting 921K-dot LCD, 1.44M-dot EVF.