Nikon D600 Specifications

Nikon D600: Key Specifications
 24.3MP Full-frame CMOS sensor (10.5MP DX-format crop mode)
    ISO 100-6400 (expandable to ISO 50-25,600 equivalent)
    Maximum 5.5fps continuous shooting
    39-point AF system with 9 cross-type AF points
    3.2in 921k-dot LCD screen
    1080p30 full HD video mode with stereo sound recording
    Headphone jack for audio monitoring in movie mode
    Uncompressed video recording via HDMI
    Single-axis electronic level in viewfinder, duel-axis (pitch and roll) in live view
    Dimensions: 141mm x 113mm x 82mm (5.5 × 4.4 × 3.2 in).
    Weight: 760 g (1.6 lbs) (camera body only, no battery)

A full-frame camera for the rest of us?

At its list price at launch of $2099 the D600 is one of the most affordable full-frame cameras yet, and there's no doubt that it's a product which a huge number of photographers (not only Nikon users) have been waiting for. Although Nikon insists that there are still good reasons to buy the D300S, it seems very likely that the D600 will finally supplant the older DX-format model as the 'upgrade of choice' for users of the D3200, D5100 and D7000. But despite its relatively low cost the D600 is very far from a 'no frills' model. Features like 5.5fps shooting at full-resolution, 100% viewfinder coverage, full HD video capture with an option to record uncompressed footage via HDMI and a customizable 39-point AF system would be pretty impressive in a camera costing much more.

Nikon's last big DSLR release was the D800. The big news with that camera was its pixel count of 36MP, which when it was released, comfortably eclipsed everything else around (and at the time of writing still does). The D600 doesn't quite reach those dizzy heights, but at 24MP, it matches or exceeds the pixel count of every other full-frame system camera. It is also one of the most versatile, offering a useful 10.5MP DX crop mode and an in-body AF motor, which ensures AF compatibility with older, non-AF-S Nikkor lenses. These factors alone will give it serious appeal to two camps - D800 or D4 owners looking for a smaller, lower-cost second body, and D300S and D7000 owners who want to step up to full-frame but don't want (or can't afford) to replace all of their DX-format lenses.

Ergonomically, the D600 will be very familiar to both of these constituencis. The D600's UI is all but identical to the DX-format D7000, and It shares the same 39-point AF system. In terms of functionality though, the D600 also has a lot in common with its big brother the D800, particularly when it coms to video specification. Something that we didn't expect on the D600 was the ability to shoot uncompressed video footage via HDMI. This, plus a mic socket for an external microphone, and a headphone jack should make the D600 very appealing to videographers. The only real difference between the implementation of the D600's video mode compared to the D800 is that you can't adjust aperture during movie recording on the new model (unless you use an older manual focus lens with a mechanical aperture ring).
D600 versus D7000: Specification highlights

24.3MP Full-frame CMOS sensor (compared to 16.2MP DX-format CMOS) Maximum 5.5fps continuous shooting (compared to 6fps) 3.2in 921k-dot LCD screen (compared to 3in) D800-style combined movie/still live view mode button Headphone jack for audio monitoring in movie mode Uncompressed video recording via HDMI D600 versus D800: Specification highlights 24.3MP Full-frame CMOS sensor (compared to 36.3MP CMOS) 10.5MP DX-format crop mode (compared to 15.3MP) 39-point AF system with 9 cross-type AF points (compared to 51-points, with 15 cross-type) Autofocus sensitivity down to -1EV (compared to -2EV) Maximum 5.5fps continuous shooting in FX mode (compared to 4fps in FX mode) 2,016-pixel RGB TTL exposure metering sensor (compared to 91,000 pixels) 2x SD slots (compared to CF+SD) No 'Power Aperture' aperture control during movie shooting (offered by D800 using Fn + Preview buttons) Shutter rated to 150,000 cycles (compared to 200,000 cycles) Magnesium-alloy top and rear, polycarbonate front-plate (D800 is full mag-alloy except flash housing) USB 2.0 interface (compared to USB 3.0)