Nikon D4 vs Canon 1D X Shootout

froknowsphoto.c... Click Here to read the full review and view all the FULL RES images.
Is this the camera battle of the century or just the flavor of the week? I went ahead and pitted the Nikon D4 with Nikon 70-200 2.8 VRII against the Canon 1D X and 70-200 2.8 IS II in a skateboarding shootout.
As always my is not to test cameras in a studio but take them out in to real world shooting situations and run them through their paces. These are the top of the line offerings from both Nikon and Canon along with their newest 70-200 lenses? Who do you think will win, will there even be a winner?
Starting out I wanted to make it clear that I have long been a Nikon shooter which means I am very familiar with how they work. I understand the focus modes, the shooting speeds and everything else needed for going out to shoot. With that said I had not had the Canon 1D X very long when I conducted this shoot out. I do wish I had more time to work with the Canon before the shoot but it is what it is. Please understand, I do not care which camera comes out on top.
The idea behind the shoot was to attempt to have as close to the same settings as possible form the Nikon to the Canon. I wanted to shoot with the same focus modes, frame rates and focal lengths. Of course in the real world with a moving subject not everything is going to be perfect but we tried our best.
Click the link above for the full write up and photos.
To connect with FroKnowsPhoto please follow below
froknowsphoto.c... FroKnowsPhoto Beginner Guide
store.froknowsp...
Facebook: / froknowsphoto
Twitter : / froknowsphoto
Google + : plus.google.co...
Please Subscribe www.youtube.com...

[@hawkeye48]

So after enduring almost 20 minutes of an adult playing on a skateboard and listening to Jared's diarrhea of the mouth, I still have no fucking idea which camera wins the 'shootout'! Not even one shot to view. How lame is that? I think I've had enough of this I Shoot in Raw cowboy from the '70's.

[@froknowsphoto]

Not one shot to view, are you kidding me? The shots pop up when they are taken and on the website the FULL RES images are there for you to pixel peep all you would like. Cowboy.

[@RokkarTV]

It's sometimes a good idea to look in the info section of the video. i always do that if i feel a review or something else from the video is missing. In most cases, a reviewer have a more in-depth review somewhere else. You speak of diarrhea, there is much of that in your comment, Dale. In my eyes the performance of each camera speaks for itself in the video. image quality; i bet both cameras produce great images.

[@Diogene_Balbeur]

Jared Polin In order to counter-balance the commentary you received here, let me thank you for the amazing work your doing for photography fans. With all respect, from Belgium.

[@edisamojica4830]

Still canon lead the race

[@hawkeye48]

MrKdr500 Well I would have, but you know how it is when you're passing the scene of an ugly wreck....you just can't help but look in disbelief how someone could create such a mess. Speaking of messes, how's your wife doing? Tell her 'Big Boy' (that's what she prefers to call me) says hello.

[@YoshiSpendiff]

It's an interesting vid but like 99% of camera reviews the answer is "It doesn't matter." Just pick one!

[@KandiKlover]

True, people just use it as an excuse for circle jerking and Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Oh look at me guys I'm switching to such and such brand after blowing $10k on current brand durr durr durr

[@Wiscompton608]

Jared, if you end up shooting skating again, leave less headroom. You can get just as tight on the skater, if not tighter, without losing context and while making the trick look bigger. Most of your shots cut out the feature he was hitting, had a bunch of unnecessary headroom, and had him right in the middle of the frame. If you had framed him higher or even laid down on the ground when he was tre flipping over the last feature for example, you could have compressed more of the feature and the foreground in the bottom two thirds. It would have made him more prominent, made the trick look bigger, and would have made for an all around more interesting composition. A 70-200 can be an amazing lens for shooting action if it's done right, I'm an action sports photographer and I usually reach for a long lens when I can. Anyway, that's just my two cents. I love that you actually had someone to help you understand shooting something that you didn't have experience in, and it looked like you had a damn good time.

[@JediFarce]

70-200mm is too clumsy for skate boarding, especially this sport allows the photographer to get extremely close for his shots.

[@davidgill8922]

I don't think you've ever used a good 70-200 on good boy Jedi.....they aren't clumsy at all JediFarce .

[@lolsa123]

David Gill i have shot both football and skating with my tamron 70-200 f/2.8, works great =) a bit slower than the nikon one but in the end i shoot more nature with it so i didn't need to spend that extra 700-800$ :)

[@JediFarce]

David Gill I use a 70-200 all the time to film people on the ice you moron. Go to my channel. The difference between you and I, is that one of us actually knows what they're talking about.

[@xpy1]

But he can crop in it's better

[@froknowsphoto]

Hi, if you have already signed up thank you. But in marketing new people see the videos every day so I am letting them know. Thanks.

[@tyblanchard6081]

Critique is never a bad thing my friend, it means a helpful response to your work. It is never bad because it is meant to make things better. There is a huge difference between critique and insult. For an example: You should capitalize the first letters of your sentences. That was a critique, because it will help you. Here is an insult: "Your grammar sucks". It was an insult because it won't help you, but it will put you down. The assertion that people make that "critiques are bad" is false.

[@froknowsphoto]

I dont agree. But again leave some feedback as to what you think would be a better choice.

[@connorb752]

Actually that's a frontside lipslide because the back of the board is over the ledge

[@froknowsphoto]

I probably wont do a ton of them. They do take more time so maybe I will.

[@froknowsphoto]

yes.

[@froknowsphoto]

I agree with you.

[@PeterBCPATube]

funny. 9:08 mark: "Ive got some verticals ... I've got some horizonticals ..."

[@SXK32]

Great comparison video...the ID X is a freakin machine gun!! FYI When you shoot skateboarders: people smoking weed and skateboards flying at you and your camera are both par for the course : )

[@froknowsphoto]

I agree.

[@Darkest_Soul_187]

Eric should get into a different sport.

[@fillegrabben]

He is riding a longboard and a cruiseboard, and thats hard, belive me. So i think he's a legend on skateboard.

[@johnhaddndiggn5301]

I used to use Minolta in the 90's until round 2005 and now have Canon. All important Canon vs. Nikon is said from 8:39 on. If I were to sell all my Canon gear today and pick up a Nikon I know I would still capture decent images and, more important, I would still have fun. That said I never thought that there is that WHOAAAA issue with any gear that works, but a trusted friend said "Go for Canon, there's a quite cool rebate and you won't feel a difference anyways" this was my way. Funny thing is that he used a Nikon at that time and still does. For what its worth in my opinion both are great companies with great products, this was something I never doubted. But I can learn from this shootout: If you don't have wide lenses handy, you still don't waste your time in a skate park. I will not change my habit of using them there, but I didn't expect to like the 200mm compression at all. Now I have to say it is not as bad as I thought it would be.

[@tainadelcaribe]

Thanks!!!

[@Elmex_1]

I don't know man. I think a lighter lens lets you move around more and try different angles. Those 70-200 are kinda heavy when you could be walking around and trying stuff differently. Maybe a 85 might work here?

[@chadbeatydop]

Had my first skate park shoot a little over a week ago. It was for a tv spot and it took about 12 takes to get the 3 teenage skaters to land their tricks at the same time. I was using the D800 with the 14-24. I still can't understand how these kids are so awesome and relentless and virtually oblivious to pain not too mention so encouraging to each other. It was a truly awesome experience to see them at work. Thanks for the vid man!

[@Jorda5s]

12:00 When the Reefer madness begins haha

[@froknowsphoto]

Very soon, I hope we can start taking orders again.

[@CarsonFletch]

I was expecting some gaps or something, not long boarding over a double ramp.

[@froknowsphoto]

Zephyr Productions So was I, but the boarder we got ended up with the long board. Next time.

[@Potaterrr]

video starts at 4:07 btw

[@froknowsphoto]

Because the Nikon and Canon versions are better than the third party lenses.

[@rendyonline]

"I've got some horizonticals" :D

[@KandiKlover]

"reefer madness" lmao cryin bout a lil bit of weed

[@froknowsphoto]

No clue, its not something I worry about at all.

[@nicholassantrizos9092]

Been shooting skateboarding since i was 12, so roughly 10 years, from video to photography and everyone I shoot they never give up. and when they do the do it one more time and nail it.

[@MarcusfotosDe]

Seems like you where using a relatively closed aperture. Isn't that to easy for the Cameras to perform well then?

[@Sitti2300]

Better in what way? I decided to go with D4 because it is a low light king. Tests have shown that 1DX has problem focusing in very low light. Also 1DX can't match the noise in low light. However, this doesn't mean D4 is better than 1DX. Each camera has different pros and cons. You must take these into consideration and decide which camera would work better for YOU.

[@ItsEzlan]

Hey jared , i've been shooting skateboarding for a good 7 Years and i can honestly say you did extremely well for something that you're not used to

[@stubones]

Great video Jared, looking forward to the file comparisons :) I agree, both cameras are great. Pick your system and go to work...

[@sreejinair]

I just love the new word Horizontical

[@froknowsphoto]

It honestly doesn't bother me.

[@froknowsphoto]

If it exists its going to be the same exact camera so no need for a new review.

[@GentryWaits]

Great job Jared. Keep up the good work. Don't let some of the hater comments below bother you. I had the 1DX and switched to the D4 recently. They are both excellent both are better in some areas than the other. One thing I love about the D4 is clean HDMI out and headphone jack.

[@froknowsphoto]

I like them.

[@pvtjoker90]

he´s the black session filmer from tony hawks 4 :D

[@nathanexplosion7442]

benjamin w that was atiba jefferson dude

[@SuperDigitalMe]

Yo yo Jared! What about the backfocusing with the D4 like you said in your preview movie for the D4S? Was it solved here or what?

[@Zahava]

Saying 70-200 is a terrible lens for skateboarding is just plain wrong. While the majority of my work is done with a 17-40L on full frame, I find going tighter can really help. At the same time, its easy for people to shoot wide and not get close enough, especially when you make the jump from UWA to true fisheye, you end up leaving too much empty space in the frame. For those saying get a better skater, this is merely a test, I wasn't expecting Josh Kalis; Fro isn't Atiba or Burnett.

[@lucianoblues8753]

Sorry, but the "shootout" in the title shows (imho) what you should expect from the video. No office review, but the real work with both. Very honest.

[@abokwu]

covers head from direct sunlight. also curls as opposed to straight hair acts to cool down direct heat.

[@gregchamberlain7554]

Horizoticals?

[@KenCheng]

you can check out the scores over at DxOmark for both cameras. According to their thorough testings, the D4 beats out the 1Dx in dynamic range

[@haylz27]

Love when you post vids of you actually going out and shooting. Can we get a rapid fire critique this week?

[@CosmicSkeptic]

10:00 frontside lipslide not boardslide

[@blayde10]

Yes It's so irritating

[@KandiKlover]

@@blayde10 no it's not. Stop being a pansy.

[@Proctie1]

Looking forward for the second part of this shootout! Great real world demonstration, definitely much better than the boring tripod tests that most guys do.

[@Proctie1]

I gotta give it to you. You are dedicated to what you do, you listen to constructive criticism but stand your ground as a professional but most surprisingly you are active in a sense that most "youtubers" aren't by replying to a ton of comments. +Respect

[@JediFarce]

Jared would never make it as a skate boarding photographer. He's mistaking hockey for skate boarding, you're not going to be using a long range lens to capture the action in skate boarding as you would with players on the ice.

[@likeawhispr]

Sometimes using a longer lens in any sport (to include skating) makes for a better photograph, than shooting wide, although I'd rather usually be up close to the skater, with a 17-35 f/2.8 on the camera most of the time. However, there are some rare times in this context where I'd rather use a longer lens for more compression and subject isolation. What lens or approach is best is totally dependent on what results the photographer is seeking to obtain. There is no such thing as a right or wrong lens.

[@mainlymusicman]

yeah the photos are pretty boring. it also doesnt help that the skater is only coming like 3 inches off the ground.

[@adamantiumknot]

If you have Netflix, there's a bunch of great documentaries on some of the innovators of skateboarding. Some of them are really awe-inspiring.

[@saulocpp]

I drink champagne when I'm thirsty, I smoke a reefer when I wanna get high...

[@froknowsphoto]

Lol, i wont be getting a d800 any time soon. I am still borrowing one from nikon but only for video.

[@OrangeMaterial]

props to the person who had to edit all those photos into the video!!

[@mihalis1010]

Respectable photographer, just not when it comes to skating. Photographing skating is an art in and of itself. It's more about the board than it is the skater, so when one is photographing skating, they should frame the obstacle and the board and the skater equally and not focus ONLY on the skater. Takes some time to learn. Side note, that front board was actually a frontside lipslide.

[@JD-yv2zx]

totally agree with you mate, great idea

[@GuyRWood]

Brave guy walking around with 15 grands worth of cameras!

[@KandiKlover]

Wasn't just walking around but left them laying around. Of course people know better than to try stuff at a skatepark unless they wanna catch some trucks to the head.

[@dbauernf]

Amazing video Jared, that's the kind of video that I subscribed for ages ago!

[@williambennett2884]

I have 1DX and love it, but the 5DM3 and 7D are also great cameras as well. I'm sure if you did choose to go with the 1DX, you won't regret it, but it does have a steep price tag, that was my only regret. The 1DX uses the same 61 point AF system as the 5DMK3, so that will be familiar to you, but you also get 5 different AF drives scenarios that I am not sure are available for the 5DMK3. Rent one, I am sure you will love it.

[@miller33625]

Thanks! Good review! Can you do the same kind of review indoors, in a lower light situation? In my opinion the 1DX blows away the D4 for anything over ISO 3200.

[@tyblanchard6081]

Yeah, thanks, it did help. All right, you got me. But, you made it more obvious that critiques are bad then anything and that's not something you can argue with. You said people "harshly" critique the efforts of others. Harsh means unpleasantly rough or jarring the senses (dictionary definition).

[@Stainless404]

Hey Fro, sad story, i bought a used Canon 70-200 f4 IS a while ago, so i don't have warranty. Now the autofocus broke, first it slipped through, now its reaaaally slow. Now i'm wondering what to do. Repair it? Will cost around 400-500€ probably, or buy the 2.8 IS II ? What would you do? I'm very sad to let that lens go, it's so great, and also light... I also thought of the Canon 300 or 200 prime, but i think it is not as practical. What would you do? Cheers.

[@3bphotoCanada]

Interesting you say that because the top skate photographers in the world use medium format. So I don't buy into the whole "focusing speed" and frame rate arguments. It's about anticipation and knowing what you are shooting (and composition) that's the key to skateboard photography.

[@LucasGuerra01]

What camera did you record this video? I'm from Brazil and would like to buy one. Thanks!

[@beauwarrington1347]

It's a canon 5d mark III

[@Technologyadvisor1]

hi got another question here I have been looking at the 5d mark 1 and 2 for a cheap second hand was thinking if I do a wedding would need a full frame camera was tempted to buy a 7D canon body second hand for around £500 but I can also buy a 1d mark 3 it only has 10 megapixels it would be great for wildlife at 10 frames per second but with a crop of 1.3 is it any good as it does not seem full frame. any ideas thanks......

[@3bphotoCanada]

Still, Atiba and Burnett don't use telephoto zoom lenses and for a good reason. If you know how to shoot skating properly with the wide lenses you'll get far better images than you ever could with a zoom.

[@OfficialFatLip]

bring it on Fro bro, the 1dx not only rocks on paper, but in action, the babe rules

[@KlutzyCurtis]

This is a really good video. I like the format of "Here's the gear, let's compare side by side in something you might actually use it for." Do more of these if possible, please.

[@youngstats215]

I like Jared's videos, but this is a poor review/shootout. I spent 17+ minutes watching this, and all I've learned is the Canon is faster and that he could "shoot with either one of them."

[@Buraken]

Probably the opposite. The fro shades the head from direct sunlight and keeps it cool.

[@MilanSvitek]

Hey, switching between a D3S, a K-5 IIs, and a T3i is not easy... ... Also, most cameras F*up in their focusing in a changing focal length, so how are they while zooming the lens?

[@scarmenl]

Thanks for the video. I'm going with the Canon. Not because the Canon is so much better but because I have Canon gear already and like the color. Nikon and Canon are both great systems.

[@tyblanchard6081]

Critiques are never a bad thing. Critique is a helpful, but negative response to a work or effort for the well being of the laborer.

[@BrianStalter]

Why wouldn't you be able to? You can utilize wireless triggers to set off flashes off camera. :) I do with my D5100.

[@PeeHooo]

Thanks Jared, really enjoy watching these kind of comparisions! :)

[@jakesweeney7467]

Jared, it would be amazing if you could review the Nikon d610 during a skateboarding shoot!!! I saw your Nikon d600 review at a high school football game and it was awesome! Please do a new d610 review!

[@nicholassantrizos9092]

I loved everything in the comparison. My only issue is the still dead set stance skaters have on using wide angle glass. I think the longest lens I ever see at skate parks is maybe 70mm's on a 24-70mm. Every time I'm out shooting at parks I'm the only one with fast primes above 35mm's and long tele's. Sure I'm half across the park shooting but I'm creating a different image than everyone on the ramps with their 16-35mm's and 10-20mm's.

[@pedrocardoso9310]

you are awesome, dude! glad i found your channel since im just beggining at photography

[@3bphotoCanada]

16mm fisheye, Canon's 8-15mm f/4 lens (or the older 2.8 version) , 16-35mm , 24mm prime,35mm prime, 24-70 (but I wouldn't ever use that on my skate shoots personally) and the 14-24mm which is a great option.

[@zeeLibertiner]

Great video and nice shots, Jared! I'd love to see more of that!

[@alimukaddes78]

Second-hand Nikon 4D has replaced shutter from an approved dealer, still worth buying or shouldn't buy?

[@TheMajorRolla]

Agreed, i just know the other guys were thinking "WTF why is he taking pics of him? Should be me!"

[@sjbuck]

Good to see you going back to your roots.

[@froknowsphoto]

I offer the strap in my store. store dot fro knows photo dot com.

[@CoriFowler]

God I'm so jealous of his hair.

[@adriansnetwork]

I have been subscribed to you a long time and boy you are so good! I really enjoy your videos. You are a awesome photographer and a great talker/youtuber.

[@djwavepad420]

what do you guys think of camera like the canon SX 50 HS and Looking to get a T3i for my first DSLR

[@w8tless930]

Hello Jared, do you have problems with the greenish tint when viewing the screen?

[@John2070]

As some people have mentioned I would like to see side by side comparison of images from the two cameras. I really wish Jarod had done that.

[@raredreamfootage]

I thought the D4 locks focus during continuous shooting.

[@chazcov08]

That park must be crazy new. It's not even showing on Google maps, but I can tell right where it is.

[@steviekylie]

Excellent video. Wish I could afford either of the cameras

[@str8pipe]

I would have to see some low light testing. I have read that the Canon has a bit of trouble seeing in the dark.

[@playerwii64]

all the canon cameras have that problem :/

[@KandiKlover]

@@playerwii64 no they don't. My S95 point and shoot does it no problem.

[@rochat]

I think his point was that if you used a Tamron (for example) on both bodies, it might be a better was of testing which body performs better with AF since the lenses are identical. As this test stands, either the Canon or Nikon lens maybe faster than the other in terms of focusing speed which would affect the outcome of the test on the bodies themselves.

[@philiproyo525]

Does anyone notice the fact that this video is 17:38 minutes long. And he made it look as if someone was holding the camera. Because the camera is going the same way simultaneously. xD

[@chazcov08]

I'd think it would be difficult with the 70-200mm to get a shot from under the skater doing tricks with the sky in the background. 70mm is still too close and you'd have to be pretty far away, relatively speaking.

[@triumvier]

If you were using the XQD card on the D4 would you think that you could continuously shoot until the card filled up with out filling the buffer first?

[@breonboger2]

Horizonicals.... I LOVE IT!!!!!

[@omdwillieturnip8840]

10:23 LMAO WHAT WAS THAT??? 💀💀😂😭😹

[@bbcake001]

Wow, it sounded so much better than my rabbit!!!

[@evan0316]

this may be a dumb question but why is using a tripod not considered part of the "real world experience"?

[@3bphotoCanada]

the 70-200mm compresses too much for skateboard photos. It's all about context and showing your audience the depth and magnitude of the trick the skater is doing. Wider shots make it look larger than life and gives you an idea of the skaters line that he hit.

[@mahiabir]

Erik.. please do something else..

[@KandiKlover]

He's learning ok! Just like your terrible photography

[@TheMrBennito]

mr Polin, I took this from yr website:"I did notice that the Canon files seemed to have a little more contrast when they were brought in to lightroom. As you know I love to make my files go boom with contrast and will take all the contrast I can in my files. I am not fully positive that this is the case, it just seemed that way visually to me. In the end it is still what you bring out of the RAW file that truly matters". What is the idea of this loading with contrast? Thank you.I like the non-tripod approach, by the way.

[@edwardrex6458]

You have to be kidding. It is by far the most popular lens for any sports photography, and I see a ton of them at pro skate events. of course there are other lenses used, wide angle and fisheye is very popular when you can get close to the skater. And the goal of this video is not to get photos with the right skate look, it's to test these two cameras.