New Nikon D4 Camera - Possible Release Date & Most Wanted Improvements

Using Nikon’s previous history of launching its professional digital camera, we should be expecting to see and hear of the Nikon’s new D4 sometime during the summer 2011. The Nikon D1 was launched in 1999, the D2H was four years later in 2003, while the current Nikon professional digital camera D3 arrived further four years later in 2007.

In theory, this makes 2011, the Year of the Nikon D4. However, to compete with newer professional digital cameras from Canon for example, what will you be expecting on the Nikon new flagship, when the D4 does eventually arrive? Nikon’s F4 film camera is legendary, and many are expecting the D4 to be a digital legend in its on right. We will have to wait and see.

The All Important Sensor Size :

Getting the size of the sensor right is vitally important. You don’t really want a new sensor smaller than your main rival, nor do you want one that’s just bigger than its predecessor the Nikon D3, otherwise it wouldn’t be worth upgrading. Anything over 50MP sensor, and you are into to the medium frame film camera market. An 36MP sensor would be nice, but it’s quite a leap. However, most people are expecting something between an 18MP and a 25MP sensor. Canon’s current high end camera, the EOS-1Ds Mark III, is a 21 MP, so to stay ahead of the megapixel race, the Nikon D4 needs to be 25MP. Nikon’s latest semi-professional release, the D7000 boasts a FX high resolution 16.2 sensor, and could be a taste of things to come in the Nikon D4.

Nikon's First Mirror-less Camera?

Will Nikon cross over to the latest mirror-less trend for their new flagship camera or is this a step too far for the traditionalists? Many see the noisy mirror as a throw back from the 35mm camera days, which causes vibrations when in use. Most high end cameras have a mirror lock up function to prevent this problem, but more recently mirror-less DSLRs have started to appear on the market, especially those that have the video function. Nikon can't continue to ignore mirror-less for much long though.

Integrated GPS?

The new Nikon D4 could feature an integrated GPS module that provides a device that adds geographic codes to the images and video at the time of capture. Other features could include a GPS track log, a GPS lock that could record the position of an object instead of the actual position of the photographer, and the ability to send images wirelessly via Bluetooth or WiFi.

Virtual Horizon Indicator : Improved and More Features

A feature on the Nikon D3 that could be vastly improved on with recent advances in modern technology, and perhaps in conjunction with GPS, altitude and temperature readings too(the later is critical for your batteries if you are using the camera in sub-zero conditions).

Triple SD Card Slots?

The Nikon D3 and new D7000 features Twin SD Card Slots with SD, SDHC, SDXC memory card compatibility for your separate NEF (RAW), JPEG and video movie files. But, will the Nikon D4 include three slots as memory usage increases?

Other Possible Improvements

Expected is a completely new AF system and better metering system, possibly an upgraded from D7000. Another expected addition is full 1080p video features with a external stereo microphone jack and USB 3.

Nikon have to make their D4 something special, and not just another DSLR with more pixels, to regain the top slot in the professional digital camera market. Camera technology has took huge leaps since the release of the Nikon D3 four years ago, which some now feature in the recently launched D7000, but the question is how much more is Nikon going to include in the D4?

© David Lloyd-Jones 2010