• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Panasonic FZ2500

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3020 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Thinner
    90 mm vs 134 mm
    Thinner
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    78 vs 35 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ2500 advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Less expensive
    $898 vs $4800
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    966g vs 1356g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

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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

  • Rugged camera body with many physical controls; Generally excellent image quality & high ISO performance for its class; Versatile zoom lens; Fast and accurate autofocus; Unlimited 4K video recording; Fast full-res burst mode with generous buffers.

  • Continuous autofocus performance struggles at telephoto end; Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); Lens produces soft corners at most focal lengths.

  • Read our Panasonic FZ2500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 1DX

Panasonic FZ2500
Canon 1DX
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D4

Panasonic FZ2500
Nikon D4
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Panasonic FZ2500
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Nikon D4S
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D4S vs Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Nikon D4S
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Nikon D4S vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ2500
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compare Other Cameras?