Event Coverage

Nikon Announces D600 24MP Full-frame DSLR, We Go Hands-on

By Ng Chong Seng - 13 Sep 2012

Nikon Announces D600 24MP Full-frame DSLR, We Go Hands-on

 

The Battle of the 'Entry-level' Full-frame DSLRs

When Nikon announced the D800 DSLR seven months ago, the major talking point revolved around its 36.3-megapixel full-frame sensor - and rightly so. Since then, no DSLR has come close to matching its chart-topping resolution. And it’s this resolution advantage that resulted in the D800 (and its anti-aliasing-filter-less D800E twin) finding favor with many landscape and studio photographers.

Earlier today, Nikon announced the D600, and once again, it’s the sensor specs that stand out the most. This time round, it’s a full-frame sensor that boasts 24.7 million pixels in total, with a maximum effective output of 24.3MP. Coincidentally, the D600 comes just a day after Sony announced its A99 SLT camera, which also packs a 24.3MP sensor. And lest you be mistaken, despite the model number, the D600 is overall much better spec’d than the now four-year old D700, which used a ‘lowly’ 12.1MP sensor.

With the release of the D600, Nikon now has three full-frame cameras in its stable; the other two being the above-mentioned D800/D800E, and the high-speed, high-ISO, Ethernet-equipped, 16.2MP D4.

Delving deeper into the D600’s specs, you’ll find that it has an ISO sensitivity that spans 100 to 6,400 natively. This can be expanded both upward and downward to 50 (Lo 1) and 25,600 (Hi 2). It also has a 39-point AF system (Multi-CAM 4800FX), and uses a Scene Recognition System with a 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor. Compared these to the D800 with its 51-point AF system (Multi-CAM 3500FX), and 91,000-pixel metering sensor, and you start to see how Nikon differentiates the two cameras (or, what contributes to the difference in prices). One thing that might go unnoticed by many is that the D600 has a top shutter speed of 1/4000 second; the D800, and most of its direct competitors sport 1/8000 second. The D600 does shoot faster than the D800 in continuous shooting mode though (5.5fps vs. 4fps), but this is easily attributed to the difference in sensor resolutions. The D600 also sports a 10.5MP DX-format capture mode. Unfortunately, you can't shoot any faster than 5.5fps even with the vertical grip (MB-D14) attached.

But there are similarities too, such as the Expeed 3 image processing engine, the large 3.2-inch LCD, the 100% viewfinder coverage, and the dust and water-resistance characteristics. Like the D800, the D600 is able to capture full HD 1080p video at 30, 25, or 24 frames per second (fps), and at up to 24Mbps. For 60p, you need to shoot at a lower 1,280 x 720-pixel resolution. Uncompressed HD signal output is also possible via the HDMI terminal. This allows you to display the video in real-time on an external monitor for large-screen viewing (you can still see the image on the camera’s rear LCD monitor), or record it instead on an external recording equipment.

So, in many ways, the D600 appeals to those who are attracted to the D800’s video capabilities, and are willing to trade some advanced features (mainly, the megapixel count, AF sensitivity) for a more affordable price.

All that said, the D600 also faces competition from other cameras, most notably the excellent Canon EOS 5D Mark III, and the just-announced Sony Alpha A99.

Nikon D600 vs. Nikon D800 vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs. Sony Alpha SLT-A99
Specs/Camera Nikon D600 Nikon D800 Canon EOS 5D Mk III Sony Alpha A99
Megapixels (Effective)
  • 24.3MP
  • 36.3MP
  • 22.3MP
  • 24.3MP
ISO Sensitivity
  • ISO 100 - 6,400
  • Expandable to 50 - 25,600
  • ISO 100 - 6,400
  • Expandable to 50 - 25,600
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Expandable to 50 - 102,400
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Expandable to 50 - 25,600
AF Points
  • 39 points (9 cross-type)
  • 51 points (15 cross-type)
  • 61 points (41 cross-type)
  • 19 points (11 cross-type)
  • 102 assist points
Metering Sensor
  • 2,016-pixel RGB sensor
  • 91,000-pixel RGB sensor
  • 63-zone dual-layer sensor
  • 1,200-zone sensor
Max. Frame Rate (Full-res)
  • 5.5fps
  • 4fps
  • 6fps
  • 6fps
Viewfinder
  • Optical (pentaprism)
  • 100% coverage
  • 0.7x magnification
  • Optical (pentaprism)
  • 100% coverage
  • 0.7x magnification
  • Optical (pentaprism)
  • 100% coverage
  • 0.71x magnification
  • Electronic (XGA OLED)
  • 100% coverage
  • 0.71x magnification
LCD Monitor
  • Fixed
  • 3.2", 921K-dot
  • Fixed
  • 3.2", 921K-dot 
  • Fixed
  • 3.2", 1,040K-dot
  • 3-way tilting
  • 3", 1,229K-dot
Shutter Speed
  • 30 - 1/4000 sec
  • 30 - 1/8000 sec
  • 30 - 1/8000 sec
  • 30 - 1/8000 sec
Shutter Release Cycles
  • 150,000
  • 200,000
  • 150,000
  • 200,000
Flash X-sync Speed
  • 1/200 sec
  • 1/250 sec
  • 1/200 sec
  • 1/250 sec
Video Resolutions
  • 1,920 x 1,080 (30, 25, 24fps)
  • 1,280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps)
  • 1,920 x 1,080 (30, 25, 24fps)
  • 1,280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps)
  • 640 x 424 (24fps)
     
  • 1,920 x 1,080 (30, 25, 24fps)
  • 1,280 x 720 (60, 50fps)
  • 640 x 480 (30, 25fps)
  • 1,920 x 1,080 (60, 50, 25, 24fps)
  • 1,440 x 1,080 (30, 25fps)
    640 x 480 (30, 25fps) 
Video Formats
  • MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)
  • MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)
  • MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)
  • AVCHD Ver. 2
  • MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)
Memory Card Slots
  • 2 x SD slots
  • 1 x SD slot
  • 1 x CF slot
  • 1 x SD slot
  • 1 x CF slot
  • 1 x SD/MS slot
  • 1 x SD slot
Battery Life (CIPA)
  • 900 shots
  • 900 shots
  • 950 shots
  • 410 shots
Dimensions
  • 141 x 113 x 82mm
  • 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • 152 x 116 x 76mm
  • 147 x 111 x 78mm
Weight (Body)
  • 760g
  • 900g
  • 860g
  • 733g
Price (Body)
  • S$3,249
  • D800: S$4,488
  • D800E: S$4,988
  • S$4,699
  • US$2,800
Availability
  • 18 Sep 2012
  • Now
  • Now
  • End Oct / Early Nov 2012

As far as full-frame DSLRs go, the Nikon D600 can be considered light and compact. The body alone weighs 760g. However, the distinction for being the world's lightest full-frame camera still belongs to the Sony A99 (733g).

Here's a top view of the D600. The D600's shutter speed tops out at 1/4000 of a second.

What's new here is a lock button on the exposure mode dial to prevent accidental turning. The drive mode dial also has its own lock button. Also new on the mode dial are the Auto and Scene selections.

In terms of control layout, the D600 isn't that much different from the D7000. In other words, D7000 users should feel right at home with the D600. Maybe it's time to upgrade?

The D600 has dual SD card slots. You can do simultaneous recording to both cards, and even separate files according to format (JPEG/RAW) or type (still/video). Hmmm, doesn't the Sony A99 do these too?

On the other side, you've a headphone jack, a microphone jack, a USB port, an accessory terminal (for things like the Nikon GP-1 GPS unit), and an HDMI terminal. Like the D800, the rubber doors are hinged, so they will stay opened, instead of flapping inward annoyingly.

Along with the D600, Nikon has also announced the WU-1b wireless mobile adapter. This allows compatible DSLRs (such as the D600) to connect to smartphones and tablets wirelessly. The adapter plugs into the camera's USB port. A Wireless Mobile Adapter Utility app is required on the smart device, but it's free of charge. The Android version of the app is already available on the Google Play store, and the iOS version will be out on the Apple App Store in a couple of days' time on September 15. With the WU-1b adapter, you can do auto transfer after shooting, control the camera from the smart device (touch focus and shoot), share, as well as download images from the camera.

In addition to getting our paws all over the D600, we've also gotten some insights from Nikon about the camera, so check out our hands-on video below.

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