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Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4

Portability
51
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Nikon D1 front
 
Nikon D4 front
Portability
50
Imaging
62
Features
81
Overall
69

Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 Key Specs

Nikon D1
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1200g - 157 x 153 x 85mm
  • Released November 2000
  • Newer Model is Nikon D1X
Nikon D4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1340g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Revealed January 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon D3S
  • Newer Model is Nikon D4s
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Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4, both Pro DSLR digital cameras and both are produced by Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the D1 (3MP) and D4 (16MP) and the D1 (APS-C) and D4 (Full frame) feature different sensor sizing.

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The D1 was unveiled 12 years earlier than the D4 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise view of how the D1 scores versus the D4 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D1 over the Nikon D4

 D1 D4 

Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Nikon D1

 D4 D1 
RevealedJanuary 2012November 2000Fresher by 135 months
Screen sizing3.2"2"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution921k130kSharper screen (+791k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D1 and Nikon D4

 D1 D4 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D1 enjoys outer measurements of 157mm x 153mm x 85mm (6.2" x 6.0" x 3.3") along with a weight of 1200 grams (2.65 lbs) whilst the Nikon D4 has specifications of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the D1 against the D4.

Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D1 and D4 is 51 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D1 and D4.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D1 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh trickier and the Nikon D4 will deliver greater detail having an extra 13 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older D1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 sensor size comparison

Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D1 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D4 as a Portrait photography camera
50
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (3MP)
77
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D1 Street photography advice
Nikon D4 Street photography advice
48
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
56
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D1 Sports photography features
Nikon D4 Sports photography features
40
high shutter speed (1/16,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (3 megapixels)
73
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D1 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D4 as a Travel photography camera
28
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (3MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
59
weather proof
MP count decent (16MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D1
Landscape photography with Nikon D4
42
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2")
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (3 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D1 Vlogging details
Nikon D4 Vlogging details
9
no video shooting
26
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
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Nikon D1 vs Nikon D4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D1 and Nikon D4
 Nikon D1Nikon D4
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D1 Nikon D4
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Released 2000-11-27 2012-01-06
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed 3
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.5mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 3 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Peak resolution 2000 x 1312 4928 x 3280
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 51
Cross type focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Amount of lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 130 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with brightness control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1200g (2.65 lbs) 1340g (2.95 lbs)
Dimensions 157 x 153 x 85mm (6.2" x 6.0" x 3.3") 160 x 157 x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 89
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 2965
Other
Battery life - 2600 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL18
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) CompactFlash, XQD
Card slots 1 Two
Pricing at release $5,130 $4,500