Nikon D4 long term camera review

This is one of my favourite professional cameras, the Nikon D4. The camera isn't the newest, doesn't have the latest video features, but it's incredible. In this video, I give a few reasons why it'll be in my photography bags for a long time to come.
See my photos on Instagram at @eyekaye and my work is published in the Edmonton Journal, the Edmonton Sun and the National Post. My website is ikcreative.ca

[@Sigfofosauer]

My first "Flagship" camera: A used D4! Beautiful file rendition. The D700 it's also one of my favorite dslr. Great review!

[@randybocksnick3750]

I bought my D4 brand new on January 12, 2012- 6,000 It was and has been worth every penny! Still use it nearly every day. I travel the state of Montana photographing High School Sporting events. Love my D4- Awesome camera!

[@Stefan1968ful]

I purchased recently a Nikon D4s with about 10k of clicks for 2300 Euro. I was blown away. This camera still delivers and hold its ground against new cameras in terms of autofocus accuracy and especially build quality. This was and is a camera for professionals, never forget that.

[@Gibson1976uk]

I got a mint D3 with low shutter recently!! and the D4 is a camera I would like to pick up in the future, I really don't chase the modern trail!! some photographers treat cameras like iPhones! always upgrading when something new comes out??? I personally love the D700 and D3

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

Gibson Weasel I’d say that from the D3 era on pretty much all the full frame cameras have been great for stills. Unless you do a lot of video with them, they’re pretty close to each other in photo quality. If you’re a single point autofocus person too, there’s even less of a difference.

[@Gibson1976uk]

@@EyeKayePhotoVideo Nikon has released some right gems over the years. I know for modern stuff, your paying for the 4k, wifi, touch screen, video options etc. which I would never use! and I haven't when I owned a D500. over time you start finding what suits you best! for your needs etc. you don't have to have the latest! and there is no rush to upgrade :) I remember when I was looking at different cameras and came across the D700 in a store! had no plans to buy it but I asked to check it out! wow!! I had to buy it! you just feel a connection with some cameras! it just had all the features I needed! and when i got the D3!! I was right at home! the original plan was to get another D700 :) you could have a gallery of photographs! taken by different Nikon's from the last 10 years and everything will look good :)

[@moiwarning]

How do you like the D3 for low light and action sports?

[@adrianmanzo9960]

Same here. Still using my Nikon D3 and D700 for 10 years now. Might be buying a second hand D4 in the near future but both D3 and D700 is all you need for everyday use. Me and my wife love them both.

[@Gibson1976uk]

@@adrianmanzo9960 I do fashion stuff with a model who blogs etc. she never complains about the photos :) I even have some big prints from a D700 and they look totally fine! one thing that I always find annoying is the Pixel wars?? not many of us are printing billboards :)

[@TheVitalishe]

I have exactly the same setup for everyday use D4 with 50mm 1.4g. Really enjoy using this camera even though my other body is D850. There is something special about these high end monobodies.

[@plpno]

Vitaliy Gyrya Hello. Question for you...I am looking at the D4 and D850, which would you recommend since you also own the D850?

[@TheVitalishe]

@@plpno the choice is personal and highly depends on what you shoot. Based on all the specs one should choose D850. But the way I shoot lately (mostly family portraits) I prefer D4. Ask yourself if you prefer high resolution or more pleasant rendering. Also at current used prices D4 could be half of what D850 is.

[@knoxyish]

@@plpno get both! i did!

[@johanvanhuyssteen9217]

I love the way you refrain from hyperbole. Wise man. Thanks for this review, I really enjoyed it.

[@daogariualex5115]

Everybody here says D4 is an old camera. I still shoot on D3 for 3rd year now and i still love it. What's that? A dinosaur? :))

[@moiwarning]

Daogariu Alex how do you like it. I shoot action sports and I’m having a hard time picking up a D3s or D800

[@runmorebenelux940]

Moi Martinez i use a D800. For sport it’s not suitable with 4fps. D3 is a better choice and magnesium body it’s a tank better than D4. Best is a D3S. D3X is crappy only 5fps and big 24 mp files.

[@wade998]

A dinosaur would be my F5, but I still love it.

[@Funktrainer]

@@wade998 Well, the F5 is the most advanced SLR system camera ever made. So nothing really got better. Only Kodak made a digital version of it. We are still waiting for a replacement.

[@Funktrainer]

@@runmorebenelux940 I had the D3 but replaced it with a D4 as the badly positioned vertical shutter release of the D3 drove me crazy. Furthermore the playback screen without dumb frame numbers in it, the ISO button near the front command dial, the overall better ergonomics (grip, height of the camera, vertical release) and superb color science combined with a huge step up in dynamic range makes me happy and not looking backwards to the D3 for a single moment. In terms of build quality nothing beats the F5 (best command wheels on any camera body, huge, extremely clicky and without that stupid rubber on them).

[@stealthworx4371]

Deserve way more than 13 subs. Great review.

[@johnkosterimages]

I’m a pro and shoot with the D4S and it produces beautiful files.

[@kb8729]

Im a pro lol cringe

[@PicturebikeMXphotography]

Been using a pair of D4's since new and even by todays standards its a an awesome camera in any conditions, i shoot a lot of Motocross so my gear is often used in wet, muddy and dusty conditions and it just laps it up. The image quality is fantastic and the RAW files are so nice straight out the camera, as others have said the auto WB is spot on 99 percent of the time.

[@CarlyWaarly]

Brought one of these today 2022, in excellent condition and low shutter count for a bargain looking at what it was selling for elsewhere. Ergonomics won some years ago, it as it fits like a glove, similar to our D3, compliments our D800s and 850s. Horses for courses! :)

[@nicolascortez4376]

Just got mine last week and I absolutely LOVE it already

[@wissell4287]

These are most of the points I love about my d500

[@graxxor]

2024 and still using the D4.... everything you said 5 years ago is still true today.

[@nickreid5939]

What about the D4S??

[@graxxor]

@@nickreid5939 what about it?

[@ImTheBlade65]

Wonderful information! I’m a hardcore D3s user and have been thinking about upgrading. I found one online that is in near mint condition with only 35000 actuations on it. Needles to say after watching this video I bought it! It’ll go great with my AF-S lenses and I feel it will be an easy transition as the user interface looks basically the same. Thanks so much for this info and keep it coming! John (fellow Canadian residing in Arizona)

[@florianglatzl]

how much did u pay 4 the D4?

[@chocloditelensman]

I like the color with my D4 better than the z6. If the D4 sensor was in the z6 it would be perfect.

[@dandruff9244]

Love the D4 its amazing

[@nickschulman986]

totally made my mind up after watching your video to switch to the D4. Might seem crazy -- I currently shoot a Z6, but the lag and sluggish af is just slightly too much for me to count on family photography where I often have to capture toddlers (as well as photographing my own 2 1/2 year old.

[@alexandergomes3317]

my favorite camera EVER

[@chocloditelensman]

Love my D4 but have been using my z6 way more.

[@Mphonik2013]

My D4s is light compared to the Nikon D1 I got in 1999 am now using it as a paper weight. Although I mostly shoot various Fujifilm my D4s is still my sports camera.

[@darrenfrancis5042]

Even though I use a D850 and D750, I just added a D4 mint condition with 30K shutter count for $3K. Not played much with it but have noticed the white balance in Auto looks very vivid

[@WizardOfCheese]

can we get an update on your thoughts about the D4 vs the D750/D850 please? is the D4 sensor better or worse at recovering highlights/shadows. thank-you in advance!

[@krezaul811]

Same thing I also observed.I use d800e,d300s,d750(for video)and d4 .I bought d4 last December near mint condition from bh photo video about $2000.I usually colour match which creates great pictures even in d300s but in d4 auto white balance creates fantastic pictures better than colour matching in any situation from sunlight to studio.I am glad I bought it.

[@krezaul811]

@@WizardOfCheese only difference you will find in group area autofocus and WiFi connection other than that both are similar except d4 pro features like 11fps and sturdy body ,somewhat similar iso performance, d750 has better video features but I find sharpness is better in d4 moreover auto white balance is very good in d4,altogether I will say d4 will be better. Camera technology hasn't improved significantly in last few years only mirrorless cameras added ibis but for that you have to use a lot of power ,d4 per charge you will get atleast 2500 shots but z6 or z7 will give you 350 at best ,d750 will give 900.I checked nikon d850, d810 ,d800e they all looked same to me except fps, I bought used d800e very good condition about $1200 whereas d850 was $3300,extra $2000 you can buy good lens.if you know what you are doing i think they all look similar more or less to you,thanks

[@WizardOfCheese]

@@krezaul811 specifically interested in the sensor performance, not AF or anything else, just bare bones image quality at 16mp. i have d750 with the option to upgrade to d4 soon. not happy with the colours of d750, too washed out at higher isos.

[@obsidian00]

Almost 2 years ago, I stumbled across a D4S in Nashville, with less than 50,000 confirmed clicks...needless to say, I walked away with it...wallet a whole lot lighter but I have been loving my little beastie ever since! I have shot everything with it...portrait/sports/landscape/astro/street...it does it all! Can I upgrade to a D850/D5?! Yes. Do I need to?! Hell No!

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

Beast for sure! These cameras are tough as nails and really well designed.

[@MLJ7424]

Great review , I just picked up a D4 just under 17k on the shutter for $1500 from B&H awesome upgrade from my D70s and I love this thing with a 300-PF , i will run this until it dies or i do lol ,

[@52701970]

I find it incredible reading yours and others comments that you found one with such a low shutter count. These cameras are mostly used by professionals and for sports and action. So 17k can be put on a d4 in just a few months of shooting. These low shutter counts must be from owners who where rich and just used the camera for family and travel. Nice find.

[@tyrsog]

2013 bought a great condition one. Love it! I don't think the dedicated AF processor came until the D5 however. Nice review!

[@pianoman6639]

Loved this review and just about to buy a D4

[@edc5338]

I have a used D3s and I love it.

[@helthuismartin]

I have two of them and i am gonna buy another one.

[@ChrissCodeSupport]

Hi there, thx 4 creating & sharing :D I was just wondering, you know the D4 can shoot completely silent with no shutter sound when using Live View.. So if you must be discrete and silent you can be with this camera ^^ Except you hold a big brick in your hands ;D I also was not expecting it when I found that feature ;DDD

[@jonstrickland3934]

How does this camera hold up to dirt and weather? I love shooting birds and wildlife. Thank you.

[@Funktrainer]

The D4 is hard to kill. Almost indestructable. It is made for dirt and rain.

[@marcoanadon9531]

great video, i do have a question I'm amateur taking pictures i recently bought a d3x on Craigslist just cause the price ($500), it's just to take pictures with the family have you ever tried a d3x?

[@RodrigoAReyes95]

marco anadon I think that’s a little overkill for family pictures

[@JohnSmith-hm2ow]

D3X for 500??? Thats a steal ! Them things go for 1200 on ebay.👍

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

The difference between a D3 and a D3X is really just resolution. 24 megapixels is better for cropping but you lose a bit of low light.

[@simonblanck8637]

I have a D500 with a 70-200 2.8 and an old kit lens. 18-105. I have the opertunerty to trade my D500 for a used D4 with about 100k exposures + a 24-70 2.8. Is it worth it?

[@batmo6772]

If the 24-70 is a nikon then yes

[@carlosgerardofernandezluza6810]

Could you make a video about the peak design strap on the D4

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

I'll think about it but the short is the larger strap is good for one camera usage but for a photojournalist like me, two cameras with Peak straps get tangled. I love the anchors tho and would put them on other straps.

[@gtaylor1564]

I still use the NIKON D1 over 900k S/C and working like new

[@MannyScoot]

Great colors on images....

[@nickfanzo]

It’s still good now in 2023. Mine is over 600,000 shutter clicks and it’s fine

[@ruslankbr5243]

Hi,I have both D3 and D4 and prefer D3 output in term of color and skin tone,profiles for D3 better in Lightroom and Capture One in my opinion and I remarked that Canon 1Dx is much more expensive on used market maybe it is because its features and better color output and WB.I would like to ask you to compare D4 and 1Dx in terms of pleasing color render,I never tried 1Dx and Canons at all and I would like to hear opinion of man who tried both.Thank you!

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

Ruslan KBR Hi I’m working on a comparison video, I’ll post it soon!

[@ruslankbr5243]

Ian Kucerak it would be very interesting to hear about your feelings from cameras,image quality,color science and less about ISO comparison which is often represented in internet as a main camera feature.Thank you we will wait

[@thecomicexplorer8107]

So true! Theres just something about that sensor in the d3/d700 bodies that has that perfect balance of color science.

[@ruslankbr5243]

@@thecomicexplorer8107 I have not tried D850 but what I saw in web and user reviews reports that good color returned on Nikon, but if someone ask me about best Nikon sensor in terms of color I would say Nikon D200 with CCD sensor was the best.

[@sctm81]

Would you say the image quality is comparable to the D750?

[@nickfanzo]

LightningAssault.com better

[@ManchmalGaming]

Just have one of these on it's way. Thinking about combining it with a 300mm 2.8 for some street photography action! :*)

[@shitpostsalmon6683]

I have a d4s and its a dream with the 300 2.8. Altought it is very heavy(4-5kg), for sport and action its all you could ever hope for. With the tc20 and stopped down to 8 it makes a decent to very good wildlife combo. But for street its a bit overkill, but im sure its a lot of fun. And also i really love the images it produces. None of my other lenses could come close in sharpness, colors and bokeh. If you have the money to blow and arms strong enough to support it, go for it, you will never want to use another lens

[@photodom2000]

LOL - love the way you said 'Zed 6' and not Zee 6' - you said it the way the language intended.

[@LiquidTurbo]

Nice review dude. Did you have any experience with the D4s?

[@kyoshiphoto4045]

I have both. I love my D4 but the D4s is way better in a few areas. The D4s has AF-Group which makes a huge difference. Also better on the noise.

[@borlach321]

I dont do sports photography. I do mostly portraits and city scapes. Low light city shots. Would the D850 be better for me?

[@nickfanzo]

Both are excellent but the d4 has bigger eyeballs for low light

[@derekgl]

Good review.I got it a month a go the only downside i feel is the weight and maybe no touch screen live without that though,the back setting wheel is very small.It came with a 24-120mm so that is heavy in itself.I have a canon eos 77D and I though that was heavy not anymore.😂

[@neilyakuza6595]

Those cameras are tanks.

[@steelpainter]

I'm not making a critical comment against people who love to shoot video on their new mirrorless cameras or high end phones. I fully concede that often the videos out of those things are really nice. I love my old DSLRS, and get gorgeous still photography that's professionally successful from them, but at this point they're not great for video. But it have a suggestion you guys might like to think about. You know how phones are getting better at taking photos all the time, but even an old DSLR (or even film camera) with good lenses still blows them away? I'm in the process of starting to investigate cine cameras. I'm nowhere near an expert at the moment even in prices, but I've checked out old ones, and they completely obliterate modern phones and mirrorless camera. If you know what your doing (I don't yet), you can pull off stuff that looks like David Lean or Kubrick. If you guys aren't necessarily into blogs, KZbin, Instagram, short videos, but might want to shoot beautiful artful footage, they might be an interesting option. Maybe someone here has better experience than me in this and has input?

[@steelpainter]

BTW, a guy in a bar started laughing at me one time when he saw I had a large kit bag, and proceded to take photos with his new modern phone to 'teach me a lesson' and 'prove' how my crap old gear was obsolete. I told my friends to hold my beer, pulled out a D800 with old D 85mm f/1.4 and 135mm f/2 lenses, a small laptop - and gave him a solid visual spanking. Plus got a request for a commission on the spot. 😈

[@miloa.2684]

im currently shooting with a Nikon F5 lol

[@Funktrainer]

Excellent choice.

[@schwartzmatthewe]

Great review!!!

[@mehradlajevardi7581]

Hey Ian, How are you doing? Quick question, How would you take care of your Nikon D4 to make sure it will last forever? background : Well, I m probably being OCD right now, but you see, I finally bought a Nikon D4, a second hand with 22K actuations, after 10 years of wishing to buy this beast :D, and now I just wanna make sure I ll do my best to take care of it. I m sure I can learn a lot from your experiences ( as well as your fuck-ups :D big lessons eh

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

I think the trick to keeping any camera running a long time is to keep it clean. Use a rocket-style blower to keep dust of the mirror and the sensor (without touching anything) Also be careful when putting your cards into the camera, while the xqd slot is more durable than the CF slot due to not having pins you don’t want to damage a card slot. Use two or more batteries that are rotated so you’re not always draining one constantly. Keep in mind that cameras are also meant to be used and Nikon D4 and other pro cameras are really durable and meant to be used a lot. Get the camera insured and shot lots of nice pictures with it! Congrats on the camera, it’s a wonderful tool for capturing lovely photos!

[@mehradlajevardi7581]

@@EyeKayePhotoVideo Hey Ian, sorry for the late reply, didnt get any notification at all. Awesome thanks a lot for your reply, I really appreciate you taking the time and responding to this. One of my fear is the grips, how would you take care of yours so they wont wear out ? Thanks a lot again and looking forward to hearing from you :)

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

@@mehradlajevardi7581 I wouldn’t worry too much as they can be replaced pretty cheaply by Nikon. Enjoy your camera, keep it dry when in a bag or stored and away from items that can scratch or buff the grips and they’ll last for a long time. I’ve replaced mine in the past (on a D200) and it wasn’t too hard. For a D4 I’d send it in for that type of repair tho because there are more pieces that make up the grips.

[@mehradlajevardi7581]

@@EyeKayePhotoVideo Hey Ian, awesome thanks a lot :) thanks for taking the time and sharing the tips :)

[@TheForge10]

Yeah I currently have a nikon d750 , with 190k on the shutter had it for 3 yeaes shooting equestrian events . Shutter is rated for 150k lol. So looking at a used D4 in Aus , its had a new shutter and bayonet replaced. Bloke wants 2100 aud.

[@nancyk9475]

Did you get a D4? I have a D750 and looking at a D4 also. Wondering you like it compared to the d750? TY

[@MARKOZA1]

What about nikon 3ds ? any big defferences ?

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

Funny enough I never had a D3S though they've got a great reputation. My pro Nikon body before that was a D2X, which was a great ISO 100 camera for its time but really outdated now. It looks like D3S cameras with low actuations are pretty hard to find now, but it's a good buy if you don't need video and 12 megapixels are good for you. (they're fine for most uses)

[@marcosphotography]

Nice

[@andreawindell8508]

weather proofing?

[@nickfanzo]

Andrea Windell yes, you can shoot this thing in the amazon

[@andreawindell8508]

@@nickfanzo Thanks for the info

[@nickfanzo]

Andrea Windell thanks

[@andrewlaurence599]

Slightly confused as this is more for sports and action.Why would you want something like this for street photography

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

A D4 is a big camera but street photography requires speed, and that comes in spades with it. If you are a photojournalist, this is the type of camera you need at least one of. Some moments on the street happen in a split second and a D4 will rarely let you down. Pop a 50mm or 35mm lens on it and it's great.

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

It's to your preference. I'm a photojournalist so speed and responsiveness are extremely important no matter what I do, as well as extreme weather resistance. In Edmonton, we can get -40 Celcius temps in the winter and rain storms in the summer. Ive still got to be able to take photos be they street pics or sports photos no matter the conditions.

[@nickfanzo]

You can shoot street on anything. I’ve done street with 8x10

[@runmorebenelux940]

Nice review but you make it sound like a D4 is ok. Even my D800 is build better than any Sony, Canon ever built. The D3 series is a tank and used by the army and here on KZbin there’s a video from a french guy beating up a D3S and the thing won’t die.... it’s like a Terminator. You can’t kill it. I’m sure a D4 can survive a rough beating.

[@EyeKayePhotoVideo]

It can, but most pro cameras don't survive falls on concrete well. My money would be on a Nikon or Canon doing it, especially the D4, but they aren't invulnerable.