The new Nikon D4 is here!

It's a big deal for Nikon. The new D4 has arrived.

Ever since the Nikon D3 arrived in 2007 people have been asking when the Nikon D4 would launch!

It seems that's what happens in this crazy world of advanced technology. The only thing people like more than new stuff...is 'newer' stuff!

So it was with great fanfare that the new Nikon D4 launched today.

What's the fuss about?

Well let's look under the hood.

A sensible sensor.

For a start the D4 boasts a 16.2MP sensor. It was widely rumoured this sensor would be in the region of 38MP. Personally I'm relieved it's 'only' 16.2MP. For me and many other pros, the prospect of a whopping 38MP sensor was more off putting than appealing. Massive files mean massive storage requirements and massive card capacity...in short massive extra costs. 16.2MP to my mind is perfect. 38MP? Over kill.

What about ISO?

The low light capacity of the Nikon D3 is really what made it 'famous.' The new D4 doesn't continues the theme. It has an expanded ISO range from 100 to 204,800. Allowing for great, clean shots up to around 12,880 - roughly twice as good as the D3s. Sweet.

XQD Memory Format.

The Nikon D4 has embraced the new memory card format - XQD. It's (apparently) the way of the future. Blazing fast. 125MB per second write speed or higher if you don't mind. For 'traditionalists' there's also a CF card slot.

Video.

You could almost hear the global sigh of relief when it was revealed that the Nikon D4 has HD video capability (or was that just me?) Canon has taken the video limelight for some time with the 5D Mrk 2. This must have seriously irked Nikon as it's a less expensive camera. It was well and truley time for Nikon to step up to the pate. The video capacity has increased from 720/24p to 1080/30p.

You can record at 30 or 24 fps in H.264/MPEG-4 AVC HD format, and record clips up to 29 minutes 59 seconds long. You can also see simultaneous Live View output on external monitors and record uncompressed video courtesy of the HDMI terminal. (According to B&H PhotoVideo).

There's also:

• Face recognition technology.
• A more responsive 51-point autofocus syste.
• An LCD gives you the power to enlarge images up to 46X for focus confirmation.
• A large 3.2" ultra-sharp 921,000-dot LCD monitor.
• An ethernet port for rapid transfer of images to computer. (Great for photo journalists and sports photographers).
• ETC.

All for around 6K. That aint cheap. But for pros and cashed up amatuers, it will no doubt be tempting.

For me? Well winning tatts aside. If I had the money?...maybe. For the HD video.

What about you?