Product launches are always eagerly awaited by action sport photographers — and none more so than the latest offerings from Nikon and Canon. We haven’t had the chance to play with them yet but we can give a sneak preview of what they promise to deliver.
Nikon D4:
With the D4 there are no great innovations — just lots of tweaks to take their flagship DSLR up to the next level. With 16.2mp it packs a higher resolution than the D3’s 12.1 but it shoots ten to 11 frames per second with full autofocus. However, perhaps the biggest new feature is its improved video capability, taking it into line with its competitors. The camera body is made for the outdoors and is ideal for sports photography as the housing is both splash and dust-proof. The D4’s sensitivity ranges from an ISO of 50 to 204,800 and there are new illuminated controls that increase usability in low-light situations.
Nikon D800/E:
Boasting a massive 36 Megapixels and shooting four frames per second (five in DX mode), the D800 is obviously more suitable for studio and lifestyle photography, making it the perfect complement to the D4. The D800E is different from the D800 as it comes without a low pass filter on top of the sensor. This guarantees sharper and more detailed images but also makes images more vulnerable to moiré.
Canon 24-70 2.8 II:
The Canon EF24-70 2.8 is an upgraded and redesigned version of the pro’s all-rounder lens. With reduced chromatic and spherical aberration, the lens looks to be another step-up, meaning you can expect outstanding image quality across the full zoom range. It is also extremely robust, featuring weather sealing that makes it highly resistant to dust and water — an essential for anyone shooting in extreme locations.