Nikon has been quite active recently, swiftly following the D4 debut with the D800. But the business isn’t stopping just yet. Between the highly competent and professional Nikon D800 and the entry-level Nikon D7000, the Nikon D600 is meant to bridge the gap.
The D600 is Nikon’s first full-frame DSLR that is “accessible.” While the Nikon D600’s size and weight are just slightly larger than the cropped-sensor Nikon D7000, it is comfortably cheaper than the total price of the Nikon D800 or Canon EOS 5D Mark III. But has Nikon made any compromises to create its smallest and least expensive full-frame offering?
Nikon D600 24.3 MP CMOS FX-Format Digital SLR Camera "With English instruction...
- Very little signs of wear, new camera strap!
- Very little signs of wear, new camera strap!
Affordable full-frame
Likely, the D600 will finally supplant the older DX-format model as the ‘upgrade of choice’ for the D3200, D5100, and D7000. The D600 has a list price at the launch of $2099, making it one of the most affordable full-frame cameras to date. Nikon maintains that there are still good reasons to purchase the D300S.
However, despite its comparatively low price, the D600 is not a “no frills” device. Full HD video capture with the option to record uncompressed footage over HDMI, a fully customizable 39-point autofocus system, and shooting at 5.5 frames per second at the full resolution would be pretty astounding in a camera costs significantly more.
Both of these groups will find that the D600 has an ergonomic design that, to some extent, is comfortable to use. In addition, the user interface of the D600 is highly similar to that of the DX-format D7000; in fact, the two cameras even have the same 39-point autofocus array. However, in terms of functionality, the D600 has a lot in common with its older brother, the D800, particularly regarding the video specifications the two cameras offer.
The capability of the D600 to record uncompressed video footage via HDMI output was a pleasant surprise when it was discovered on the camera. This, besides the fact that the D600 has a mic connector for an external microphone and a headphone jack, should make the camera very appealing to videographers.
The only significant difference in the technical specifications between the implementation of the video mode on the D600 and the D800 is that the new model does not allow you to alter the aperture while the camera is recording a movie (unless you use an older manual focus lens with a mechanical aperture ring).
Building and Handling Quality
The newest full-frame camera from Nikon will feel familiar to anyone who has used a Nikon D7000. The Nikon D600 and Nikon D7000 have nearly the same user interface, which was done to make them both as user-friendly as possible.
With the Nikon D600 being only 9mm wider, 8mm taller, and 5mm more profound than the other camera, there isn’t much difference between them in hand. The Nikon D600 is a very pleasant DSLR because the extra 10% weight difference is hardly apparent.
Thankfully, the build quality is not sacrificed to achieve this small weight. With a structure that includes some magnesium, the camera has a similar sense of toughness to the Nikon D800 and is equally weather-sealed against moisture and dust. In addition, the quality of the casing materials is on par with Nikon’s usual high standards, and tactile rubberized inserts improve grip.
The ergonomics of a full-frame body that has been shrunk to this amount with so many controls crammed in can suffer, but the Nikon D600 is still a friendly camera. Larger hands may comfortably use the front and thumb grips, and all primary buttons are within convenient reach.
The 3.2-inch, 921,000-dot LCD screen from the Nikon D800 dominates the Nikon D600’s rear panel. The same automatic brightness adjustment and great viewing angles are present, making it a consistently accurate monitor when reviewing in the field.
The primary menu button, and controls for altering the white balance, image quality, and sensitivity (ISO), with each button having an alternate function for examining photographs, are located to the left of the LCD screen.
Performance
The Nikon D600 is in line with other recent Nikon DSLRs in terms of performance. Regarding the crucial variables of dynamic range, color depth, and noise reduction, the new 24.3MP sensor compares favorably to the Nikon D800, Nikon D4, and Canon EOS 5D Mark III.
Even at ISO 3200, there are barely any artifacts in images captured at ISO 1600. Only at ISO 6400 and above does image quality start to suffer considerably, but even at these settings, the Nikon D600 can still produce decent photos if you don’t focus on the individual pixels.
Image Quality
We shot our resolution chart as part of our image quality tests for the Nikon D600.
You can see that the Nikon D600 can resolve up to about 28 (line widths per image height x 100) in its highest quality JPEG files at ISO 100 by viewing our crops of the resolution chart’s center region at 100% (or Actual Pixels).
Nikon D600 Specifications
| Body type | |
|---|---|
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
| Body material | Magnesium alloy top and rear, polycarbonate front-plate |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6016 x 4016 |
| Other resolutions | 4512 x 3008, 3936 x 2624, 3008 x 2008, 3008 x 1688, 2944 x 1968 |
| Image ratio w h | 3:2 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 25 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Expeed 3 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary Color Filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | 100 – 6400 in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps (50 – 25600 with boost) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 25600 |
| White balance presets | 12 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (4) |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, Normal, Basic |
| File format | NEF (RAW): 12 or 14-bit, lossless compressed, compressed or uncompressedJPEG |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View. |
| Digital zoom | No |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 39 |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Screen/viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 921,000 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD monitor |
| Live View | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7× |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | Program (P)Shutter-priority (S)Aperture priority (A)Manual (M) |
| Built-in flash | Yes (Pop-up) |
| Flash Range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless) |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear-curtain |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | Single-frame [S] mode continuous low-speed [CL]Continuous high-speed [CH]Mirror-up [Mup]Quiet Shutter ReleaseSelf-timer |
| Continuous drive | 5.5 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedAverageSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | (2, 3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes (2 or 3 frames in steps of 1, 2, or 3 mired) |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps) |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone | Mono |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (Mini Type C) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Optional |
| Wireless notes | Wu-1b mobile adapter |
| Remote control | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless ) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes (Water and dust resistant) |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 900 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz) |
| Dimensions | 141 x 113 x 82 mm (5.55 x 4.45 x 3.23″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | Optional |
| GPS notes | GP-1 |
Conclusion
The Nikon D600 is an exceptionally user-friendly full-frame because of its excellent sensor, numerous but accessible features, and compact design.
Although the Nikon D600’s bigger sensor makes it more expensive than the Nikon D7000, if price cuts are similar to those that the D800 has had, we’re in for a treat.
Nikon won’t have this market to itself for very long, though. The new full-frame EOS 6D from Canon will be more affordable, lighter, and more significant than the Nikon D600. Let the conflict begin…
Nikon D600 Price
Nikon D600 24.3 MP CMOS FX-Format Digital SLR Camera "With English instruction...
- Very little signs of wear, new camera strap!
- Very little signs of wear, new camera strap!
Nikon D600 FAQs
Is Nikon D600 good?
The Nikon D600 is a competent full-frame DSLR with a sensor resolution of 24.3 megapixels, excellent performance in low-light conditions, and a sophisticated autofocus system.
How old is the Nikon D600?
The Nikon D600 was initially made available to the public in 2012.
Is a Nikon D600 a full-frame camera?
Yes, the Nikon D600 is equipped with a full-frame sensor, which is significantly more significant than the APS-C cameras typically found in DSLRs priced at the entry-level.
Does Nikon D600 have WIFI?
Although the Nikon D600 does not have a built-in WiFi module, it is compatible with the WU-1b wireless mobile adaptor that can be purchased separately.
Is Nikon D600 weather sealed?
The Nikon D600 does have a chassis protected from the elements and impervious to dust and dampness.
Is a D600 a DSLR?
The Nikon D600 is, in fact, a DSLR camera, which stands for “digital single-lens reflex.”
Does a Nikon D600 have autofocus?
The Nikon D600 has a sophisticated autofocus system with 39 focus points and nine cross-type sensors.
Does the Nikon D600 have a Live View?
The Nikon D600 has a live view option that lets users assemble and examine shots on the rear LCD screen.
How do I set autofocus on Nikon D600?
To establish the autofocus on the Nikon D600, click the AF mode button on the back of the camera. Then, using the command dial, select the autofocus option that you would like to use.
Is Nikon D600 suitable for astrophotography?
Due to its high-resolution camera and excellent low-light performance, the Nikon D600 is a perfect choice for astrophotography enthusiasts.
How do I connect my Nikon D600 to my phone?
You can connect your Nikon D600 to your phone, transmit pictures, and directly operate the camera using either the WU-1b wireless mobile adapter or a USB cable. Both of these options are available to you.
Where is the shutter speed Nikon D600?
You can change the shutter speed on the Nikon D600 either through the primary command control located on the top of the camera or through the menu settings found within the camera itself.
