Here is a quick comparison between the Nikon D4 and Nikon D3s based on the specifications listed on Nikon’s website:
| Nikon D4 | Nikon D3S | |
| Announced | January, 2012 | October, 2009 |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F bayonet mount | Nikon F bayonet mount |
| Effective Pixels | 16.2 million | 12.1 million |
| Sensor Size | 36.0 x 23.9mm | 36.0 x 23.9mm |
| Image Sensor Format | FX | FX |
| File Format Still Images | JPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal Quality JPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant with fine (approx 1:4), Normal (approx 1:8) or Basic (approx 1:16) Compression NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single Photograph Recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG Formats TIFF (RGB) | Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Compressed): approx. 45-60 percent Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless Compressed): approx. 60-80 percent JPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal Quality TIFF (RGB) Uncompressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW) |
| Picture Control | Landscape Monochrome Neutral Portrait Standard User-customizable Settings Vivid | Monochrome Neutral Nine User-customizable Settings Standard Vivid |
| Storage Media | CompactFlash© (CF) (Type I, compliant with UDMA) XQD Type Memory | CompactFlash© (CF) (Type I, compliant with UDMA) |
| Card Slot | 1 CompactFlash© (CF) card and 1 XQD memory type card | 2 CompactFlash© (CF) cards |
| Viewfinder Frame Coverage | FX (36×24): 100% Horizontal and 100% Vertical Approx. 1.2x (30×20): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx. DX (24×16): 97% Horizontal and 97% Vertical Approx. 5:4 (30×24): 97% horizontal and 100% vertical Approx. | 100 % Approx. |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.70x Approx. | 0.70x Approx. |
| Interchangeable Focusing Screens | — | Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI Type E Clear Matte VI |
| Lens Compatibility at a Glance*** | AF-S or AF lenses fully compatible Metering with AI lenses | AF-S or AF lenses fully compatible Metering with AI lenses |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 sec. | 1/8000 sec. |
| Slowest Shutter Speed | 30 sec. | 30 sec. |
| Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution | 10 frames per second 11 frames per second (AE/AF Locked) | 9 frames per second |
| Scene Modes | — | — |
| Exposure Compensation | ±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV | ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 1/2 1 |
| Exposure Bracketing | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV |
| Mirror Lock Up | Yes | Yes |
| ISO Sensitivity | ISO 100 – 12,800 Lo-1 (ISO 50) Hi-4 (ISO 204,800) | ISO 200 – 12,800 Lo-1 (ISO 100) Hi-1 (ISO 25,600) Hi-2 (ISO 51,200) Hi-3 (ISO 102,400) |
| Dynamic AF Mode | Number of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 (3D-tracking) | Number of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 (3D-tracking) |
| Auto-area AF Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Modes | Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A) Continuous-servo (AF-C) Face-Priority AF available in Live View only and D-Movie only Full-time Servo (AF-A) available in Live View only Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder Normal area Single-servo AF (AF-S) Wide area | Continuous-servo (C) Manual Single-servo AF (S) |
| Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points | 51 | 51 |
| Built-in Flash | — | — |
| Flash Bracketing | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV |
| Top FP High Speed Sync | Up to 1/8000 | Up to 1/8000 |
| Flash Sync Modes | Auto FP High-Speed Sync supported Front-curtain sync (normal) Rear-curtain sync Red-eye reduction Red-eye reduction with slow sync Slow rear-curtain sync Slow sync | Front-curtain sync (normal) Rear-curtain sync Red-eye reduction Red-eye reduction with slow sync Slow sync |
| Flash Compensation | -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV | — |
| Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) | CLS Supported | CLS Supported |
| White Balance | Auto (2 types) Choose color temperature (2500K–10000K) Cloudy Direct Sunlight Flash Fluorescent (7 types) Incandescent Preset manual (up to 4 values can be stored) Shade | Auto (2 types) Auto (TTL white balance with 2,016-pixel RGB sensor) Cloudy Direct Sunlight Fine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting (2,500 K to 10,000K) Flash Fluorescent (7 types) Incandescent Preset manual (up to 5 values can be stored) Seven manual modes with fine-tuning Shade |
| White Balance Bracketing | 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3 EV | 2 to 9 exposures |
| Live View Shooting | Photography Live View Mode Movie Live View Mode | Handheld mode Tripod mode |
| Movie | HD 1,920×1,080 / 30 fps HD 1,920×1,080 / 24 fps HD 1,280×720 / 30 fps HD 1,280×720 / 60 fps | VGA 640×424 / 24 fps QVGA 320×216 / 24fps Movie with sound HD 1280×720 / 24 fps |
| Movie Audio | Built-in microphone, monaural External stereo microphone (optional) | Built-in microphone, monaural |
| Monitor Size | 3.2 in. diagonal | 3.0 in. diagonal |
| Monitor Resolution | 921,000 Dots | 921,000 Dots |
| Monitor Type | Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD | Super Density Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD |
| Playback Functions | Auto Image Rotation Full-Frame and Thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images or calendar) GPS data display Highlights Histogram Display Image Comment IPTC information embedding and display Movie Playback Movie Slideshow Photo information Playback with Zoom Slideshow Voice Memo | Auto Image Rotation Full Frame Highlight Point Display Histogram Display Image Comment Movie Playback Shooting Data Slideshow Thumbnail (4, 9 or 72 segments) Voice Memo Zoom |
| In-Camera Image Editing | Color Balance Color Outline Color Sketch D-Lighting Distortion Control Edit Movie Filter Effects Fisheye Image Overlay Miniature Effect Monochrome NEF (RAW) Processing Perspective Control Quick Retouch Red-eye Correction Resize Selective Color Side-by-Side Comparison Straighten Trim | Color Balance D-Lighting Edit Movie with Save Selected Frame Filter Effects Image Overlay Monochrome NEF (RAW) Processing Red-eye Correction Resize Side-by-Side Comparison Trim |
| GPS | GP-1 GPS unit | GP-1 GPS unit |
| Battery / Batteries | EN-EL18 Lithium-ion Battery | EN-EL4 Lithium-ion Battery EN-EL4a Lithium-ion Battery |
| Battery Life (shots per charge) | 2,600 Battery Life (shots per charge) (CIPA) | 4,200 shots (CIPA) |
| AC Adapter | EH-6b AC Adapter Requires EP-6 Power Supply Connector | EH-6 AC Adapter |
| Approx. Dimensions | Width 6.3 in. (160mm) Height 6.2 in. (156.5mm) Depth 3.6 in. (90.5mm) | Width 6.3 in. (159.5mm) Height 6.2 in. (157mm) Depth 3.4 in. (87.5mm) |
| Approx. Weight | 41.6 oz. (1180g)camera body only | 43.7 oz. (1,240g)camera body only |
| Price | $5,999.95 | $5,199.95 |
Battery, Battery chargers, Remotes (note that the Nikon D4 has a shorter battery life compared to the D3s)
Nikon EN-EL18 battery for Nikon D4 ($169.95) | Nikon EN-EL4a for Nikon D3s ($109.95)
Nikon MH-26 for Nikon D4 ($349.95) | Nikon MH-22 for Nikon D3s ($209.95)
Nikon D4 also supports the infrared ML-L3 remote control ($14.95):
