Nikon cameras D4s vs. D810 (Page 2): Just sounds to me like a recipe for disaster. The D4s has an advantage over your 800e above iso1600 but it's marginal at best. Unless you have...

Peekayoh Loc: UK

Just sounds to me like a recipe for disaster.
The D4s has an advantage over your 800e above iso1600 but it's marginal at best.
Unless you have other reasons and a clear cut need for the D4s, I'm betting it will be a big disappointment.
If you have an occasional need for low light excellence, you should consider the Sony A7s which has the best low light performance at a fraction of the price.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Jan G wrote:

I am a hobbyist with some nice gear. I presently own a D700 and a D800e, but now I have been starting to think if I want to upgrade again to either the D4s (of course my husband may kill me) or the D810. I love both of the cameras I own now but have been reading about the low light capability with the big guns. Want to know if anyone out there can share some thoughts? Thx

I'd get the D4s, if I were you. Getting the D810 would be too much like what you already have the D4s will be a new experience. Enjoy it! Hurry up and buy it today. :D

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

The two cameras are so fundamentally different that perhaps you should decide why you need to upgrade or whether it is just a case of acquisition syndrome striking.

D4S is an upgrade for the D700. The D810 is an upgrade for the D800e. You would not buy a D4S over a D810 for say landscape or portraiture; but if you shoot say wildlife or sports the D4S would be preferable.

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Jan G wrote:

I am a hobbyist with some nice gear. I presently own a D700 and a D800e, but now I have been starting to think if I want to upgrade again to either the D4s (of course my husband may kill me) or the D810. I love both of the cameras I own now but have been reading about the low light capability with the big guns. Want to know if anyone out there can share some thoughts? Thx

I own both and before making a recommendation it would be helpful to know "what you like to photograph." If it is sports - action - the D4 or D4s - if it is portraiture, landscapes, travel and not action - D810. Especially if you are looking for a camera that performs well in low light. The D810 has a native ISO range from 64 to 12800.....and the 12800 produces surprisingly clean shots. I have been doing a lot of astrophotography in my spare time and the D810 is "lights out" the goto DSLR for deep space objects.....I routinely use 12600 ISO.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

GPS Phil wrote:

Just a thought, the Df has the same sensor and processor the D4 has. Same low light performance. Bear in mind that the camera has no Wi-Fi, Video, GPS or built in flash.
For 2700.00 it is a bargain, all things considered. While it's not for everyone, those of us that have them, absolutely love them. Hold one in your hands, you might like it.

Phil

:thumbup:

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Ha Ha!! Be sure your husband takes a pic of you using your new D4 before they lower the lid!!

Seriously, use it in good health and prosperity.

Phantom53 Loc: Australia

I agree with you Phil, I have the D4 and did a concert shoot using my 70-200VR11 hand held and while I was happy with the outcome being my first concert the issue was that the D4 shutter nice cannot be reduced so there was some friction from the audience. I have since purchased the Df and absolutely love it and its lightness and the fact that it is almost noiseless. So the next concert I will not get daggers in my back and with the same sensor as my D4 I will get same low noise at ISO4000.
I have attached 2 images at reduced quality

H/Held 70-200 @ 200mm ISO4000 1/250 F4.0

H/Held 70-200 @ 98mm ISO4000 1/250 F4.0

Lenf Loc: Strasburg,PA

I have the D810 and it is a solid performer, certainly a step above the D800, have only used a d4 on occasions. my recomendation would be to rent or borrow both, and see which one you enjoy shooting with, as in any camera comparison there ar plus and minus features , both are excellent , it's really up to you.

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Comparing the D4s to the D810e is like apples and oranges. They are completely different cameras. Different electronics, different mechanics and different processors.

Although the D810e is an excellent camera and should satisfy most any photographer, the D4s is by far a superior camera. It has a greater range and better electronics.

Jan G wrote:

I am a hobbyist with some nice gear. I presently own a D700 and a D800e, but now I have been starting to think if I want to upgrade again to either the D4s (of course my husband may kill me) or the D810. I love both of the cameras I own now but have been reading about the low light capability with the big guns. Want to know if anyone out there can share some thoughts? Thx

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

The electronic noise you see in the d800 sensor as opposed to the less dense sensor of the D4 is because of the increased noise generated by the electrical fields needed to hook up all those receptors. D4 photos will not be quite as detailed, nor able to enlarge with the same sharpness, but low light is indeed superior and at typical reproduction size, 4x5-8x10, 17x11more detail is inconsequential. When you go to 30 x 40... the D810 will be superior.

There are calculated tradeoffs between the two, one geared toward war correspondents, or news photographers, etc, it is built like a battleship- for every day, all day use. And the other toward typical medium format type photographers. One is to get the shot, the other is simply to record the most detail.

If you already have a d800, you have this covered.

senormule Loc: Houston, Texas

I had all my gear stolen which included an 800e , and bought the 810 Film Maker's kit and some assorted lenses.
The 810 is tauted as almost the same as the 800e, and it is not, not by a long stretch. Much more responsive, and the iso range increase is great! As for noise at high iso, there is considerably less post correction and higher clarity than the 800e. It has some great improvements that really help some of the good lenses work even better, and not as picky as the 800e. I noticed a vast improvement shooting primes (35, 50, and 85) and a large improvement on 200 f4 (the nikkor macro). I would recommend renting the bodies first and see what fit you best before opening you checkbook. Best of luck

Jan G Loc: St. Augustine, FL

You're right that close score would make the D810 a better choice, thanks for the link.

Jan G Loc: St. Augustine, FL

Thank you for your feedback. I did recently replace an older P&S with the Sony RX III and while I was disappointed with the telephoto I am very happy with the images I am getting with resolution. I have heard a lot of good things about the Sony A7.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

Jan G wrote:

You're right that close score would make the D810 a better choice, thanks for the link.

FWIW, the D750 is also rated a "tie" with the D810 and "winner" vs the d4s.

Jan G Loc: St. Augustine, FL

Wow, I am new here and quite surprised and happy with all the advise I am receiving. I may now be even more confused! Lol! I will say that I notice a nice improvement in my images from my D700 to the D800e. I pretty much like to shoot everything, but mostly landscapes, travel, macro, love urban decay. I haven't done much in sports/action and while I am always trying to improve my portraits (which I don't do very well) I do love street photography. Thank you all I am still reading all your comments.
PS: forgot to add night photography is big on my agenda right now, been doing some light painting and milky way this year.