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.
Well… “The grass is always greener” as they say! What I find most humorous, is that there seems to be equal levels of outrage from Nikon shooters on the D600 release as there are for Canon shooters with the 6D release – both the lightweight $2000 full-frame competitors – in that these cameras both “compromise too much”. However as a Canon shooter considering a switch to Nikon for the D600, here’s some of the comparisons I see… (even though the Canon 6D is not even out yet for any real world feedback until December 2012)
* Memory cards: D600 wins with dual SD vs. 6D with single SD instead of CF slot (dedicated backup, overflow, or eye-fi.. this is a big issue for me, which Canon only offers in the $3000 5D3 but Nikon offers in $1500 D7000)
* Flash sync: D600 wins with 1/200 (drop from 1/250) vs 6D with 1/180 (drop from 1/200)
* Wireless: 6D has it built it (but get a $30 eye-fi X2 card and now you have it in any camera, and a better tested and fielded solution with many cameras having built-in eye-fi support now) vs. Nikon WU-1b wifi adapter $60
* GPS: 6D has it built in vs Nikon GP-1A new dongle $300
* Sensor: D600 – more megapixels and perhaps the same sensitivity as the D4 and D800, likely better ISO performance too.
http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d600-d800-d4-are-the-same-camera.htm
* Ergonomics: Ken Rockwell says the D600 has the best of any Nikon, but thread comments above say they love Nikon ergonomics but hate the D600 (all due to the AF-On button missing?) I’m a fan of the Canon “wheel” but not with the new wheel design on the 60D and 6D, which was not placed on the 5D3. Ergonomics are a big issue for me though, and I’m willing to learn the Nikon button-ology if it allows me to work quicker.
* Protect Images: Also Nikon has the “Protect/Lock/Readonly” BUTTON on their cameras whereas Canon requires digging through the menus for this (except on 1D series!) – so there is not an easy “protect” vs “delete” button choice. This is important for rapid workflows (sports/wedding reception display) and “selective file transfer” with the eye-fi wireless SD cards.
* Dust: TBD – D600 has reported dust issues from Lens Rentals
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/10/d600-sensor-dust-issues
* Audio: D600 has an audio in and headphone monitoring jack for video recording, but not in the 6D (only in the 5D3)
* HDMI out: D600 has limited “95% clean HDMI out” but the 6D does not even have a clean HDMI out
http://blog.iamron.com/general/nikon-d600-nikons-worst-best-camera-ever/
* Body: D600 has metal body frame while 6D is all polycarbonate, both are tough though for fractional more weight I’d prefer the rugged metal D600 body.
* Custom Modes: Both D600 (U1, U2) and 6D (C1, C2) have two custom memory modes – so I call it a tie – though Ken Rockwell prefers the Nikon setup. I find this an essential feature in any camera upgrade to avoid switching back and forth between camera settings based on environment.
* Other general Nikon vs. Canon differences: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/nikon-vs-canon.htm
I am confounded at the level of what can only be called ignorant negative spouting from many of the folks commenting here who have never touched a D600 or looked at its images or even read a review. Folks, at least take the time to educate yourselves before opening up and publically embarrassing yourselves. Obviously this camera is not for everytone, but how about thinking through things a bit before making unsubstantiated or just plain wrong assertions. Let’s take the top shutter speed of 1/4000s for example. The D300 does 1/8000s, but its base ISO sensitivity is 200, whereas the base sensitivity for the D600 is 100 and can be ‘boosted’ to as low as ISO 50. In terms of exposure, 1/8000s at ISO 200 is equivalent to 1/4000s at ISO 100. So unless you MUST have 1/8000s for freezing motion or photographing the sun, say, then what’s the problem? A number of you are disappointed at the the ISO performance, but you’ve never used the camera! WTF??
I have owned this camera for about a month now and can tell you that it seriously outperforms the D7000 in almost every way. The buffer depth is much better, the IQ is better in both ‘normal’ and low light situations. The focus is faster and more consistent. The video specs and performance are better. Also I can flash sync up to 1/4000 using my external speedlight. Again, no problem. The noise handling and sharpening characteristics are superior. The dynamic range is better. The large beautiful viewfinder is a real treat after years of DX shooting (D200 and D7000 and Canon 7D). Chase, to characterize this as equivalent to the 7D, again before you have even used it, is to do a real disservice to your readers. The D7000 and 7D are both fine cameras, but the D600 IQ is better than both. More significantly, the D600’s IQ is better, by all reports that I’ve read than even the significantly more expensive full frame 5DMkIII.
Yes there are some issues with the D600, and you have to consider those before you buy it. My major concern before buying was the small cluster of 39 tightly packed focus points in the centre of the frame. For me and the kinds of shooting that I do that has not turned out to be a problem though I do sometimes have to focus and reframe. Big deal? No. I’m still getting better AF than on the D7000. There is the annoying switch of the positions of the zoom buttons (opposite to the layout on the D7000, but the same as the D800). There is the lack of ability to program the OK button to zoom to 100% at the focus point with a single touch (which I could do on my D200, but not on my D7000). Now I have to press the zoom button 8 times to get to 100% and then scroll around to centre the focus point. Grrrr, but i can live with it. Lack of built in wifi? I can use an SD card that gives me that. Lack of GPS? I don’t care. Dust issues: learn how to wet clean your sensor.
My point is, please stop the whining. Do your research, find out what you really need and can’t live without then save up or pony up the cash to get the gear that meets your needs. Sure tell Nikon/Canon/Fuji/Sony/ (or whatever your religion is) what you would like to see and hope they listen. In the mean time find what is closest to what meets your needs as a photographer, buy or rent it and then get out there and start shooting!
I’m sick of the nasty negative thoughtless trolls who haunt so many sites. DPReview has just published their review of the D600. Check it out. Look at their comparison of the performance characteristics and the overall score against the 5DMkIII for example.
An FX camera with the performance characteristics of the D600 and its generally excellent ergonomics is a great deal at $2100. Remember folks, this is the best deal around just now for a full frame camera, and there’s nothing else on the market to really rival it at that price point. On the surface, Canon made a lot more compromises than Nikon did to bring out a competitor at a similar price point in the 6D. To really know how they compare in terms that really matter to shooters, we’ll just have to wait until it’s been on the market for a month or so and in users’ and reviewers’ hands.
Whatever the camera, don’t slag it until you bag it and drag it to a shoot, or at the very least read a review or three written by people who have actually used and tested it in different situations.
Pax.
learn how to wet clean your sensor? YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TO
I think Nikon needs to take a look at the dust and oil problem with this camera. I know its supposed to be a compromise but there are so many cameras that are cheaper that don’t have any problems like this.
Good point on the dust problem – I have concerns about that as well from the Lens Rental review: http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/10/d600-sensor-dust-issues
This can be actually good stage as greater included in the blog. Love looking at across.
แคนนอน EOS 600D Camera กล้องดิจิตอล SLR รุ่นใหม่ล่าสุดต่อความสำเร็จจากรุ่น EOS 550D ที่มียอดขายสูงสุด เป็นอีกหนึ่งในกล้องตระกูล EOS ที่ได้รับการกล่าวถึงเป็นอย่างมากนับตั้งแต่วันที่เปิดตัวอย่างเป็นทางการ โดยมีประสิทธิภาพการทำงานสูง ให้คุณภาพที่ดีมาก คุณสมบัติที่โดดเด่นคือ การออกแบบจอมอนิเตอร์ LCD ขนาด 3 นิ้ว แบบเปิดออกทางด้านข้าง และปรับหมุนได้รอบ ใช้ชิปประมวลผลใหม่ล่าสุด DiGIC 4 และเซ็นเซอร์รับภาพความละเอียด 18 ล้านพิกเซล ฟังก์ชั่นบันทึกภาพ Movie ความละเอียดระดับ Full HD แสดงภาพก่อนถ่ายด้วย Live View Shooting
– Body size quite nice 🙂
– Sensor quite nice too (much more usefull than 36 MPixel I think)
– Flash sync, well not so thrilling – still missing my electronic shutter from the D70 1/1250 of a second 😉
– burst rate is ok (better than my D800)
– Auto focus system would be nice from D800, regarding to regarding viewfinder coverage at least or better not just DX coverage like both cameras.
Camera manufacturer should maybe talk with somebody from Apple. Choose on a website or from a form what you want, wait some days and your dream camera will be delivered.
– I’d like to have this or that body size – give us 2 or 3 choices (D600, D800, D4 size).
– 16, 24 or 36 MPixel …with/without “E”? No problem, choose which you want.
– this or that AF-System (well, might be a bit difficult regarding to the body size, but you’ll get the idea)
– more/less buffer for higher / lower burst rates?
I don’t know how hard it would be to do that but Apple and Dell for instance can do it with computers. Why not with digital cameras? Not everyone want’s to have a huge body like the D4, not everybody who want to have a D800 sized body needs 36 MPixel.
But after all you cannot do it right for everyone 🙂
Cheers, Harry
I just purchased this camera a week ago. Coming from the d300 I have been waiting for a replacement to that which seems to never be coming. I purchased this camera to get better ISO performance. I shoot all kinds of subjects so I need a versatile camera. While it is a nice camera it is not a all around camera and I hope Nikon looks at what a semi pro camera should have at that price point. The body is smaller and feels much cheaper than the 300 and puts limits what you can create with this camera. A 4000th shutter speed are you kidding me. 5.5 frames per second, Reduced flash sync speed, No 10 pin or pc sync. I know there are work a rounds but you should not have to work around new technology. I think the d300 was a much better value when introduced and what Nikon gave up for full frame is a shame. They already manufacture the 700 bodys how hard to put it in that body it would not increase cost much since they were already in manufacture.
All in all it is a nice camera it does perform well in high ISO situation’s I just feel Nikon cheapened up what could have been a great camera release and taking away creative options is not the way to sell new cameras.
Mike