Would you not rather buy the 1DX than the D4?

Hugoneus · Jan 10, 2012

Below is a list of differences (on paper) between the D4 and the 1DX which a few members have contributed to. I find myself asking, if one is not invested in glass, would you not rather buy the 1DX based on these specs? I am a little disappointed.

Member said:
1DX -- D4

resolution: 18.1 MP -- 16.2 MP

ISO: 100-51200 -- 100-12800

AF: 61 -- 51

FPS: 12 -- 10

LCD dots: 1,040,000 -- 921,000

Video: 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps, 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) -- 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)

Audio: Stereo -- Mono

Slots: 2 x CF -- 1 CF, 1 XQD

AF X-types: 41 -- 15

CPU: 3 -- 1

Shutter lag: 36ms -- 42ms

FPS no AE&AF : 14 -- 11

Timecode: yes -- no

Wind Filter: yes -- no

Compression Types: 2 -- 1

Sound Recording Steps: 64 -- 60

Then there is of course the battery issue with the D4. Anyone care to add anything to the list?

michaeladawson · Jan 10, 2012

Your mono audio spec is wrong I think. Read the DPR D4 overview. Stereo microphone input jack.

I wouldn't buy any camera based on pure spec comparisons. If I made my photography purchasing decisions based on that I'd probably have the first Sony full frame camera that was 24 MP instead of my D3. I think I'm much happier with the D3.
--
Mike Dawson

Oscarroos · Jan 10, 2012

This is just my humble opinion but I bought into the Nikon system in the early early 70's because I liked the over all system, lens, feel, reliability, etc. I now have all Nikkor glass and still prefer the overall system - reality does a minor, or even major advance by Cannon for a year or two, enough to change systems? In my view no. They leap frog each other and any system is BETTER than what I can do with it - so no - it does not matter if Cannon has a better camera today or in the future. I will only consider a Nikon and wish Cannon shooters well knowing they too have great cameras and lens.
--

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67660656@N03/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22388579@N08/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67660656@N03/sets/72157627576100801/

alexst4 · Jan 10, 2012

Hugoneus said:
Below is a list of differences (on paper) between the D4 and the 1DX which a few members have contributed to. I find myself asking, if one is not invested in glass, would you not rather buy the 1DX based on these specs? I am a little disappointed.

"on paper" - yes, 1DX is better, but we don't buy cameras just because of whats written on paper, do we ?

I'm hanging on to my current D3, D2X and several D2H for now. I see little point in "upgrading" for either one of the new bodies.

joeyv · Jan 10, 2012

It is the actual performance that counts. Wait until both cameras are out, then ask the same question again.
--
joeyv

perpetua · Jan 10, 2012

Nikon D4:

Better price
Better ergonomics
Possibly better high ISO performance (based on current models)
Possibly better focusing (based on current models)

For me these little details are more important than everything you mentioned. And most of us in this forum have more Nikon lenses than Canon, so switching system would be even more expensive than the 1DX.

ShahriarCMOS · Jan 10, 2012

Your points are fair. Of course I think everyone should wait until the camera is reviewed before making a purchase.

Lea5 · Jan 10, 2012

perpetua said:
Nikon D4:

Better price

yes

perpetua said:
Better ergonomics

yes and no

perpetua said:
Possibly better high ISO performance (based on current models)

I don't think so, but let's see real images.

perpetua said:
Possibly better focusing (based on current models)

Based on current models? Funny! The MarkIV beats the sh.. out of my D3 in focussing. The Canon nails the shot where my beloved D3 still hunts

perpetua said:
For me these little details are more important than everything you mentioned. And most of us in this forum have more Nikon lenses than Canon, so switching system would be even more expensive than the 1DX.

True!

Mebyon K · Jan 10, 2012

No more than I would make a choice between two cars without a through test drive.
--
Mebyon K

Cenk · Jan 11, 2012

+1

Mebyon K said:
No more than I would make a choice between two cars without a through test drive.
--
Mebyon K

Jon Rty · Jan 11, 2012

Sure, clean HDMI out, allowing for something like 300MBs 4:2:2 Prores recoding without timelimit, headphone out, both in favor of the D4.

Hugoneus said:
Below is a list of differences (on paper) between the D4 and the 1DX which a few members have contributed to. I find myself asking, if one is not invested in glass, would you not rather buy the 1DX based on these specs? I am a little disappointed.

Then there is of course the battery issue with the D4. Anyone care to add anything to the list?

VivaLasVegas · Jan 11, 2012

perpetua said:
Nikon D4:

Better price

At first......BUT, add XQD card+reader for $175, now add external ssd+cables+converter for another $525. Now let me ask you, does your laptop/desktop got USB 3? Does Nikon provide the software to edit these uncompressed files? Do you have the cpu/gpu/ram/ssd to processes this files? Now add up the price, $175+$525=$700. So the final damage is around $6700. I'm sure $100 difference is money well spent for better af, mp, fps, metering, iso performance and video. FYI, Canon has 2 compression types; for videographers(large files) and still photographers(small files).

perpetua said:
Better ergonomics

Joystick is poorly located. The multi selector button is too small and inferior to Canon's wheel. Metering switch is gone. Portrait grip(av/tv) orientation is not the same as landscape grip(av/tv). Too much dental floss sealing, no gasket type sealing for buttons like 60D(red gaskets).

VS

perpetua said:
Possibly better high ISO performance (based on current models)

I was at the CES today and I can assure you that 1DX is a least a stop cleaner above iso 12800 than D4. D3s was iso king by default due to it's bigger photosite 8.5um vs 5.7um. That equates to 33% more light per pixel site, that is huge. Now they're about the same size, D4(7.3um) vs 1DX(6.9um). Now it is a fair fight, the WINNER claims industry sensory know how and will be crowned the high iso king.
D4 iso 12800
http://www.alinpopescu.eu/blog/more-samples-nikon-d4/

VS

1DX iso 12800
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20111020_484856.html

perpetua said:
Possibly better focusing (based on current models)

An exhaustive AF test between current models, REMEMBER Canon has no way to track subject's color , Nikon has(1001 RGB). Too Bad for D3 family, it got killed in this test. Now 1DX will be able to track as well using 100,000 pixel RGB sensor. So it is safe to say, 1DX AF tracking abilities will be nothing short of awesomeeest!

http://www.prophotohome.com/news/2009/11/26/autofocus-torture-test/
Test Result

perpetua said:
For me these little details are more important than everything you mentioned. And most of us in this forum have more Nikon lenses than Canon, so switching system would be even more expensive than the 1DX.

Totally Agree.
1DX = 1 D evastating X plosion in nikon camp.

Ilkka Nissilä · Jan 11, 2012

The ergonomics, usability, practical functioning of the autofocus, reliability, and image quality are not covered by specs; they need to be tested when the camera is out. At this point it would be impossible to say which is better.

In any case while the 1D X is slightly higher in several specs, it is also more expensive; 6000 EUR and 7000 EUR appear to be the initial prices.

And for any practical user of either camera is likely to have a dozen or so lenses so it's not like the users have much of a choice.

golf1982 · Jan 11, 2012

On paper both the 5d2 and d700 have native ISO of 6400, yet the actual pictures tell a different story.

Zenist · Jan 11, 2012

if I were not a die-hard Nikonian, I mean if I were a newbie with money but without brand preference, I'd choose the 1DX.

goldaccess · Jan 11, 2012

First I would check what the numbers do actually say. E.g. is 3 CPUs better than 1? The answer is most often: no. The inner parts are designed to do the job. I would bet the camera can do the job they are designed to. So - Canon needs 3 CPUs and Nikon just 1. Congrats to Nikon! That is likely to draw less power and could be an advantage, though.

Always be carefull comparing paper specs! Many numbers are driven by marketing and not by engineering or need. I have the feeling that Nikon fools you less often than Canon.

mike kobal · Jan 11, 2012

Since my assignments call for photo and video most of the time, the D4 sure looks like the much better tool, clean HDMI out, means you can roll with the big boys now, full manual sound control and monitoring, three different crop settings in video mode, no more external sound devices needed for documentaries.....i am sold

Hugoneus said:
Below is a list of differences (on paper) between the D4 and the 1DX which a few members have contributed to. I find myself asking, if one is not invested in glass, would you not rather buy the 1DX based on these specs? I am a little disappointed.

Hugoneus said:

1DX -- D4

resolution: 18.1 MP -- 16.2 MP

ISO: 100-51200 -- 100-12800

AF: 61 -- 51

FPS: 12 -- 10

LCD dots: 1,040,000 -- 921,000

Video: 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps, 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) -- 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)

Audio: Stereo -- Mono

Slots: 2 x CF -- 1 CF, 1 XQD

AF X-types: 41 -- 15

CPU: 3 -- 1

Shutter lag: 36ms -- 42ms

FPS no AE&AF : 14 -- 11

Timecode: yes -- no

Wind Filter: yes -- no

Compression Types: 2 -- 1

Sound Recording Steps: 64 -- 60

Click to expand...

Then there is of course the battery issue with the D4. Anyone care to add anything to the list?

--
mike kobal
photography (hand's on gear reviews on my blog)
http://www.mikekobal.com/blog

Shaun_Nyc · Jan 11, 2012

mike kobal said:
Since my assignments call for photo and video most of the time, the D4 sure looks like the much better tool, clean HDMI out, means you can roll with the big boys now, full manual sound control and monitoring, three different crop settings in video mode, no more external sound devices needed for documentaries.....i am sold

What do you do Mike ? I see youre interested in street stuff ?

-------------------

Best
Shaun
http://shaun.zenfolio.com/

mike kobal · Jan 11, 2012

hey Shaun,

I shoot lots of editorial, fashion, beauty, collections and promos for designers, cooperate and tv commercials below a few samples
this is the TV commercial I shot (DOP) on the 5D2
http://www.mikekobal.com/blog/?p=1557
and here a typical editorial, fashion spread and video
http://www.mikekobal.com/blog/?p=1690
promo for designer (high end messenger bag)
http://www.mikekobal.com/blog/?p=2916

it is a real pain to switch between cameras all the time, I would love one tool that does it all really well. Street is a long time passion, nothing more rewarding then walking around the city with a camera and forgetting all the commercial stuff...
I just started this street feed
http://mikekobal.tumblr.com/

just checked out your NYC gallery, some stunning photographs you got there, the wide angle/night shots, spectacular!

Shaun_Nyc said:
What do you do Mike ? I see youre interested in street stuff ?

-------------------

Best
Shaun
http://shaun.zenfolio.com/

--
mike kobal
photography (hand's on gear reviews on my blog)
http://www.mikekobal.com/blog

Hugoneus · Jan 11, 2012

Interesting analysis. We will have to wait for the official tests to know.

Would you not rather buy the 1DX than the D4?

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