Capturing Stills While Shooting HD Video With Nikon Cameras

Nowadays, the technology included in modern DSLRs creates more possibilities for shooting in different situations, with HD video now available in many top of th range NIkon DSLRs. 

Whilst all the shooting in HD video is great, what if you want to capture stills while you're shooting too? There used to only be two solutions for this; stop shooting video and take some stills before goign back to shoot another video, or take someone with you to shoot the stills while you shoot the video. All this has now changed with the addition of Live Frame Grab technology, included in Nikon DSLRs such as the Nikon D4 and D4s. 

Shoot video and stills simultaneously

Using the custom settings on the Nikon D4, you can simultaneously record FullHD video and still images. To do this, you'll need to be in Live View Mode and set the shutter button's functionality to record a still photo while recording HD video when it's depressed fully (note that continuous shooting is not available).

Still images will be recorded in JPG fine quality at 1920x1080 in size. The image is 2 megapixels in size, which is fine for use online at up to 6x4 inches in size. 

Save stills after shooting

There is also the option to save a still JPG from HD video footage after you've shot it. On the Nikon D4 and D4s, you can create a still copy of a video frame. The image will also have a frame of 2 megapixels. To do this, play back the video to the point where the still you want to capture is. In the 'Edit Movie' menu, select 'Save Selected Frame' the choose save copy, highlight yes and click ok. When you view this image in full frame playback in the camera you'll see the movie still icon attached to the image file.