Nikon D600 via B&H
UPDATE: The debate continues below on Nikon’s newly released D600. Win or fail?
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Big announcement today at Haus of Gaga Nikon. Another news bomb just got dropped – the much-anticipated Nikon D600 is here. Not unlike the D4 and D800 before it, I’ve known about its imminent arrival for some time. But for the first time in quite some time, the specs on this camera have exceeded some expectations for a lower-numbered not “pro” body. On the other hand, it seems to be sort of “on par” with Canon’s similar price pointed stuff (7D) that was released 2 years ago.
Here’s some highlighted specs:
_24.3MP FX-Format (ie FULL frame) CMOS Sensor
_1080/30 or 720/60 HD Video Capture
_10 or 20 Mbps Video Capture modes
_100-6400 ISO – Expandable to 50-25600
_5.5 fps Continuous Shooting
_39 Wide-Area AF Focus Points
_Stereo Mic & Headphone Inputs
_HDMI out signal
_Wi-Fi Connectivity with Optional Adapter
(To see a range of images of the camera, click thru image tabs atop this page)
There are several curve balls for me that may have been rumored on the tech sites, but that Nikon actually delivered on this time around… The FULL FRAME move was a good one. A 600 series camera – smaller than it’s recent brethren – at full frame and with all the alloy frame and weather sealing of a high end pro body make this a tempting backup body for some pros, despite its small size and relatively cheap price tag of $2099.
Now, the megapixels. There’s a lot of em, but it seems like the right amount, not overkill like the D800. The fact that its sensor is large makes these megapixels a little tastier too.
Also, FINALLY this is geared more toward video…1080p, audio jack, HDMI out, we get 60p slow mo, and … it has variable bit rate.
The best news? I heard this thing is supposed to ship in just 6 days on Sept 19th.
Disappointments? No 1080/60 (ie slow mo video at full resolution). Bummer. The ISO sensitivity (and perhaps quality of that senstivity) has also been held back from what’s possible with other Nikon cameras. That has really shaped up lately to be Nikon’s ace in the hole – something that they’re doing better than anyone else. Also, probably should have put this atop the list of disappointments…where is the innovation? This is a great camera for the price, but Canon 7D and other have had similar specs for nearly 2 years. Hmmmmm.
(and my buddy DH is pissed that it only syncs at 1/200…because he’s a flasher…)
But beyond that… Please note I HAVE NOT touched one of these cameras, and like the D4, D800, NO I didn’t shoot the campaign. I haven’t yet spent time with the camera to tell you any gory details, although I’m assuming I’ll be able to chat more soon.
The look and feel of this camera? Click thru a range of images of the camera via the above tabs.
So.. I (we?) knew this was coming, but rather than me spouting off about having played with it (I can’t), or telling you what your feelings about this system should be (I won’t), let’s hear from you…
Love, hate, indifferent? Insights?
[Reminder that Nikon plays close attention to this blog, so your comments on this post – glowing or otherwise – might help inform Nikon about what your thinking.]Link to all the Nikon D600 details and/or purchase here via B&H.
For what this camera is – D7000 technology slapped together with a full frame sensor, I think the price of $2100 US is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. That has nothing to do with the rumored price of $1600 because if I felt it commanded a $2100 price, I would happily pay and shut up. I think Nikon just assumed that since a D700 sensor is $1300 (at least the cost for us) and a D7000 without a sensor cost $800, they’d just add the two numbers and came up with $2100 not keeping in mind that the D700 sensor was a first generation limited production camera whereas this is probably a 4th generation sensor that along with the body is mass produced. At the end of the day, the camera itself is not that special so price is what really could have made it something extraordinary if it was under $2000.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that Nikon is falling into the Canon trap of not being all about the picture anymore. It used to be that I could tell my Canon friends “Sure, your camera has 18 MP, but mine can shoot in low light much better, and has a faster sync speed. “.
24 MP is not something many people need. Chase is a commercial photographer for god’s sake and he’s been doing ok with 12 MP D3s. Of course he has a hassleblad too..But if it was a sub-$2000 camera, I could live with it.
Sync speed of 1/200 …This bothers me. My first DSLR was a D40. I remember many shoots where I would be there with a single SB-600 flash in the middle of the day and get gorgeously balanced day shots with 1/500 sync speed. My D90 is only 1/200 and it just absolutely kills me in bright light. I don’t have an assistant to carry battery packs and studio lights with me. I was hoping that they would even go above 1/250 but this is a step backwards. For $2100, this is unforgivable.
No PC port? I can live with that.
This can be quite logical matter as raised inside of the wordpress blog. Enjoy raving about in the vicinity of.
I’ve been a Nikon guy since my first Nikkormat a long, long time ago. The thing I worry most about buying Nikon these days is quality control. Seems like each product has some kind of QC issues. I was excited to buy a D7000 but had to return it because it just wasn’t sharp. I didn’t replace it, just kept shooting with my D70 and G9. That’s one thing I miss about the Nikons of the film era: the cameras were tanks and the glass was unrivaled. Do that again with digital, Nikon, and you’ll have something nobody else does. Again.
Quality control has certainly been an issue, and working with Nikon’s customer service group (which has been gutted to save costs) is unpleasant at best. If I didn’t have a significant investment in Nikon glass I would be considering a move to Sony at this time.
As a Few “Experts” have written, the D600 is just a full frame in a D7000 body. Flash Sync is too slow and a top Shutter Speed of 4000? Come on give us a break. Scene modes and U1 &U2 who needs them. I was hoping for a almost pro camera for us almost pro shooters and it is not there, plus there is way to much emphasis on video. If I want to shoot video I’ll buy a video camera. For now I’ll Stick with my D7000 and try to get some better Glass.
Overall, I am very glad I didn’t buy a D800 when they started appearing in stock on Amazon a month ago. Smaller files, the U1 and U2 modes, a few f8 focus points — good show, Nikon.
I am so looking forward to sticking this in a bag with my 20mm 2.8 and 50mm 1.4 AF-D primes — under $600 worth of lenses — and running around the Indian countryside this December. Now, for about $100 extra Nikon could have built in Sony-syle sensor-based VR that would give me an extra 2 stops or so with those lenses. Now *that* would be innovation. Any bets on when we’ll see that (this side of never?)…
A lot of people seem annoyed that Nikon didn’t custom make a camera especially to their spec as usual 😉
D600 seems like a good enthusiast’s camera. Great for those who want to go out climbing hills, trudging down tracks to get some nice landscapes at the weekend, with the occasional wedding / family event thrown in. Photos of the kids, a sunset or that quirky new building they just finished building in town. A good size to take on holiday with a superzoom, not too heavy but not flimsy either. It’s a compromise, but a good compromise mostly.
It was never going to be one for the paparazzi, professional sports shooters or studio fashion types.
The flash sync is the only eyebrow raising spec from my POV, I would’ve expected it a little higher, but I doubt it’s a deal-breaker for the majority of people seriously looking at buying it. Those people wanting a D4 in a D700 body for $1500, you might be waiting a while.