Nikon D4S vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Cameras
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Nikon D4S vs Canon 5D Mark IV

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35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D4S Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D4S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D4S.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D4S conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
30.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark IV Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 5D Mark IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark IV.
Compare Canon 5D Mark IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark IV conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5
Compare D4S vs D5
Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 5.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 0.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

3020 vs 900 shots
Capture more photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.6 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.8 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
78 vs 19 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Nikon D4S

Less expensive
$2899 vs $5999*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More cross-type AF points
41 vs 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Lighter weight
890g vs 1356g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
540k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
30.4 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D4S User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

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Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens
Kit with 24-70mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool
Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)
Read our Nikon D4S Review

Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.
JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.
Read our Canon 5D Mark IV Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D4S

Canon 5D Mark III

$5999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D4S

Nikon D810

$5999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2291
35mm

Less expensive
More dynamic range

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2291
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D810

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 1DX

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 1DX

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$5299
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S

Nikon D4

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher extended ISO

$4500
35mm

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D4

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D4

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$4500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S

Canon EOS-1D C

$5999
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon EOS-1D C

$2249
35mm

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$6989
35mm

Bigger pixels
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon EOS-1D C

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