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.
I will wait to judge till I can get my hands on one. So much negativity from people who have not used one. I am a little scared when someone has to tell me they are a professional.
My FM2 synced at 1/250 – anything less from Nikon is a major disappointment.
Don’t mean to be an idiot, but isn’t 1/200 just 1/3 of a stop slower than 1/250?
I understand every bit is important, but we’re not talking f-2.8 vs f-8 or something. People are complaining about the terrible “deal breaker”, when many other cameras are 1/160.
If that extra 1/3 of a stop is such a killer, then off to a leaf shutter Hasseblad or some such.
If that 1/3 of a stop is more important that all the other feature of the camera, then this isn’t the camera for you; time to move on.
What I find baffling is its UK pricing. Ignoring the fact UK prices are significantly higher anyway (grr!) It’s positioned much closer to the D800 than the D300s, unlike the US where it seems to be pretty close to the D300s. Prices below show US and UK prices with the UK converted to dollars:
Model UK US
d8000 $3671 $2999
d600 $3149 $2099
d300s $1818 $1699
What’s up with that, Nikon? Seriously?
I imagine I am just one of many holdouts that were considering a switch to Canon to get full frame 1080p. Nikon almost lost me. When the D800 was released, I was disappointed. As a lifestyle and wedding photographer megapixels are by FAR trumped by ISO performance. And the sheer size of it, the file storage and cost made it a hard sell to me. Then the rumors began about this little gem. The 5.5 fps is a bit of a bummer, and 60/1080 would have sealed the deal for me. I’m eager to see some images and hear what the community has to say once some people get their hands on it. Hoping this is my next camera and that I can finally jump to full frame from the D7000.
Indeed, there is no innovation here. As I said in the post, the specs on this camera have exceeded some expectations for a lower-numbered not “pro” body, but at $2k? And it seems to be just “on par” with Canon’s similar price pointed stuff (7D) that was released 2 years ago… ugh.
I would love to see a comparison between d700 and d600, especially with low light capability. Or, d600 and d7000, or d600 and d800.