Nikon D800 vs Nikon D4s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D800 and Nikon D4s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D800 were released 2012 and Nikon D4s was released 2014. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D800 2012
Nikon D4s 2014

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon FX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D4s 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D800 has a 36,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D4s has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Nikon D4s 16 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280

Nikon D800 has a 124 % larger resolution than Nikon D4s. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D800 100-25600
Nikon D4s 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D4s

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D4s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D800 6
Nikon D4s 11

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D800 and Nikon D4s can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D4s weighs 1350 gr (equal to 2.98 lb) which is 50% heavier than Nikon D800 and its 900 gr (or 1.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb
Nikon D4s 1350 gr
2.98 lb

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D4s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D800 and Nikon D4s, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
Name Nikon D800 Nikon D4s
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
Release Year 2012 2014
Release Date 2012-02-07 2014-02-25
MSRP 2999 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 4928 x 3280 pixels
Megapixels 36,3 MP 16 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 EXPEED 4
Image
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 51
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle TFT LCD with brightness and color adjustment
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
Frames per second 6 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Yes
Optional via WT-5A or WT-4A
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Optional via GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D800
Nikon D4s
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL18a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots 3020 shots
Width 146 mm 160 mm
Height 123 mm 157 mm
Depth 82 mm 91 mm
Weight 900 gram 1350 gram