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.
Hi guys,
I just got the D600 yesterday, so far so good the camera is amazing. Ergonomics are like the D7000 on the size of a D300. Anyway, I would like to know if you guys have found a way to open the RAW file on known post-processing softwares like ACR, LR4 or Capture One.
Annoying though my d600 workflow ends up being
1- Open in ViewNX
2- Slightly Edit the RAW
3- Save in compressed TIFF 8bit
4- Open in Lightroom
5- Edit more
6- Open in Photoshop
7- Edit more
Anybody help?
Try Nikon Capture NX2, it is awesome if you know how to use it correctly.
Hang on to your hat, wait 2 weeks, then use CaptureOne, Aperture, Lightroom of Photoshop.
The camera is new; give the infrastructure a brief moment to catch up! They usually get it out shortly after the camera ships.
I’m a crime scene shooter. I currently use a D7K because it fit the budget and was pretty much the best thing out there at the time. I’m happy with it, but need a full-frame. The D800 is nice, but the ISO performance is simply not there. I had hoped that the D600 would have better low-light performance, as well as a 1/8000 shutter speed and 1/250th sync. I like the dual SD cards (pretty much as fast as CF now).
At the recent IAI conference, Nikon’s reps were not only unapproachable (don’t bother them), one actually picked up the nickname of “Troll”. I like my Nikon ergonomics, but I’m thinking Canon service and Mk.III specs are more suited to my needs. Can’t afford a D4 (and don’t want to deal with different card formats in a camera), but I need the performance.
It isn’t just me… quite a few people are disappointed in Nikon, and Canon is making a strong play for the government market -and we’re listening. Nikon needs to step up their game, or lose an entire market segment to Canon.
Camera bodies are just tools. Just find one that works for you and you are set. It’s better to invest in good glass than in a new body. Some old-timers (no disrespect) till shoot with what they have and there pictures are AMAZING!! Don’t think for a second that a new camera body will make you a better photographer, because it won’t.
I’m a canon user (EOS 600D and 7D) and, as I see a lot of disappointment here, I cannot be just a little happy for what i was expecting to upgrade: the canon 6D. What should I do? Suicide?
Seriously, the nikon D600 beats the 6D in almost everything and I am seriously thinking of switching to Nikon as I want a full frame camera (I dont have EF lenses so…).
Said so, I think 2000$ is a bit too high for the D600, while for the Canon 6D is just a big laugh (and then a big cry).
The only thing that is concerning me is the lack of aperture control in live view mode as in the D7000. Could a firmware fix that?
the 6d has the Digic5+ chip that changes the game in everything, Even the difference between 600D/7D and the 5dmkII is MASSIVE in terms of everything. but yes Digic5+ chip means better NR than Nikon past ISO 6400
I am a tad disappointed in this release as I was hoping for 1/8000 and more fps. While fantastic, the D4 is out of my budget and yet it is the only performance driven body in Nikon’s current lineup. This leaves users like me who wanted a D700 or D300s upgrade in a bind. A D700 with current firmware and a few more fps built in would have been perfect.
the d600 is quite big if you look at it in real. I guess specs wise it’s underwhelming for the d300 user generations. I guess Nikon is trying to build in between lines types of cameras. D7000 is inbetween enthusiast and pro (believe me, it clearly works well in the field). the D600 does the same for FX cameras