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.
Since there is still no DX replacement for the D300 I am looking forward to this model. The D7000 buffer just did not cut it for me. So I hope this buffer can take a punch. I am glad it still got something like 5 fps, but too bad it is reading SD cards and not CF. But then I reckon the camera is more geared towards people upgrading from consumer models than someone looking for an extra camera next to their workhorse.
I am very curious to have the sensor will perform but coming from a D300 I reckon it will be a step forward. Love the sealing, I need it since I tend to forget covers and dislike to stop when the rain comes pooring down. Wish they would send me a copy so I can test it during the coming deer rut in the forest.
I think it’s a decent camera; however, I won’t be purchasing one. The flash sync speed was a killer for me as well as the ISO. I use the back button AF and not having one is another knock. I’m sure people getting into photography as a serious hobby or profession will find this camera to be more than enough, but I feel it’s lacking. The price was also a bit of a shock. Not a lot of features but still a high price. I’ll stock up on some used D700’s and be happy.
It looks like a really bad joke to me. The Amateur Dial with green idiot mode. SD slots instead of CF. No PC sync jack, no pin connector in front. Strangely placed video record button (that’s where MODE used to be, leading to frustration when working with this and a professional Nikon camera in parallel). The completely superfluous retouch button nobody in their right mind is ever going to use in their life. Small-ish size of the body, making it harder to hold stable for longer exposures and strenuous and hard to balance when working with heavy telephoto lenses. Only 1/200th sync speed. Stupid placement of the lower function/DOF preview button. Metering mode must be changed through a soft button. And so on. I’m also not sure how good the high ISO performance is going to be, ISO 6400 is just one stop higher than the menu limit on the D300s (without going into Expansion/HI-Mode). I really do hope it has more than just one stop advantage over that camera.
I like the clear full-res video output and crop modes, but I would have hoped for 1080p at 60fps (Sony can do it). I had also hoped for a slightly lower price point (I’d have to check international pricing, but this doesn’t look any cheaper than the D700).
I was waiting for a D700 successor with better low-light performance (on par with the highend models), decent video capabilities and a bit higher resolution, but I don’t think this is the camera I want. If I am spending that much money on a camera body, I don’t want to have to deal with an interface that is geared towards amateurs. If you don’t know anything about photography at all, you don’t buy a $2000 camera. I just can’t figure out who this thing is supposed to be aimed at.
For me, Nikon’s biggest edge over Canon has always been the ergonomics (and the nicer look of the sensor noise at high ISO values). The D600 interface is definitely a step in the wrong direction. If this camera had a 1/250th or even better sync speed, two CF card slots and, most importantly, was built into a D700 body, I’d get it in a heartbeat. But this … not so much.
That about nails it, Peter. I was so excited by the D4 (though way out of my price range) and couldn’t wait for the D800 (which I expected to relate as the D700 did to the D3). The D800 turned out to be overkill and too expensive, so then I turned my hopes to the rumored D600 to be the D700’s replacement. It’s not. WTF Nikon??
Please just shove the D4 chip & processor into a D800 frame and start producing the best event-shooter camera on the market. 16MP was plenty. High ISO noise excellent. Video excelled.. work on raising sync speed to 320 or better yet 500. I could live with 5fps.
Sigh
Yep- couldn’t agree more. Need an event shooting camera- a D700 with video. Low light capabilities, FX, high flash sync to beat sun. A night and day camera without the drama of so many megapixels. 16 MP is more than enough.
Make it so Nikon!
Your comment is like you already use that product, Sd vs Cf what is big deal? Did you think Cf make you profesional and sd make you amateur, shame on you, pc sync yayaya pro use pc sync often?? Hahaha no big deal for amateur, 1/200. Sync speed no b7g deal 5d m3 have same, use pixel knight can sync over 1/2000. No big deal for amateur, if you can handled 1/200 dont call your self as pro Photographer, because you stupid enough to handle your limitation,, iso perform beyond d700 try your self, recording 1080 60fps no big deal most people not making movie with 60fps in full movie.
Dont make prejudices when you not try by your self.
No AF on button on the back is a let down for me. As a D700 and D7000 owner, I’d rather a bigger body. Guess I’ll have to save my pennies for a D800 should I want to upgrade (happy with my D700 for now though).
Wow, I didn’t even notice the lack of the rear AF button. That’s an astonishing omission. And absolute dealbreaker for me, since I (and many pros) use it exclusively for AF rather than the shutter release.
LOL what a sissy!
many “pros” would not even consider a consumer grade camera unlike you. Go play victim on the Apple forums.
The back of the camera has an AE-L/AF-L button. Is this not the “AF” button you were looking for? (I don’t know Nikon, so I don’t know how they do buttons.)
Yeah, that is the button! I use it everyday on my D7000.
You know, it actually probably is — something you can program to be an AF-ON button. My bad for jumping the gun. 🙂
Am I missing the new AF button by the lens attachment (where your left thumb rests)?
The semi-pro Nikons (like D300) and upwards have both an AF/AE-L and an AF-On button. The former locks your current exposure (i.e. if you are in Aperture priority, you can lock your exposure if you want several shots to be consistent for example). The latter is the same as half-pressing the shutter button, but it works in MF mode (i.e. if you are pre-focusing on a certain spot, you don’t have to switch back and forth between AF and MF to update your focus, you can just press the AF-ON button). Also, by going into MF mode and relying on the AF-ON-button, you can be sure that pressing the shutter release will take a picture right away, not go into endless focus hunting again and again for every shot (useful in low light or other situations where the AF is hit-and-miss).
The omission of that button is pretty much a deal breaker for many professional users and for certain types of photography.
Is that AE-L/AF-L button not programmable to do what you want it to do?
I believe there is an AF-ON button on all the Nikon (and all the cheap aftermarket) battery grips for D800, and the Nikon grip for the D600 as well. Just like on the back of the D700. Just sayin’…
Same here, not having an AF button is a deal breaker for me
Yeah,everybody’s been waiting for it but that again everybody thought it’d be around 1500$, not 2000$ +.I mean, in some countries with higher taxes the prices total up to 2800$.Not cool Nikon, not cool.