Nikon Introduces D600, 24.3MP FX, US$2099.95

<p>Nikon is introducing yet another FX-format DSLR, which is the 3rd in 2012, following the D4, D800/D800E (which I am counting as just one model) and now D600.</p>

<ul>

<li>24.3MP, 35.9x24mm, Nikon FX format sensor</li>

<li>5.5 frames/sec</li>

<li>ISO 100 to 6400</li>

<li>Multi-CAM 4800 AF module, same as that on the D7000 but for the FX format, can AF with f8 lenses</li>

<li>Dual SD memory cards</li>

<li>New MB-D14 vertical grip/battery pack, not sharing the D7000's MB-D11 nor the D800's MB-D12. The MB-D14 does not boost the D600's 5.5 fps maximum frame rate</li>

<li>US$2099.95 body only, $2699.95 with the recent 24-85mm/f3.5-4.5 AF-S VR lens</li>

</ul>

<p>Nikon Japan link: <a href="http://www.nikon.com/news/2012/0913_dslr_01.htm">http://www.nikon.com/news/2012/0913_dslr_01.htm</a></p>

 

<BR>

<p>Here are a few more links:</p>

<ul>

<li>Nikon USA's D600 page: <a href="http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25488/D600.html">http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25488/D600.html</a></li>

<li>DPReview has a short hands-on preview. However, apparently they goofed on one issue: as far as I can tell the D600 does have AF fine tune but at least initially DPReview suggests that it does not. They may correct that later on: <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikon-d600/">http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikon-d600/</a></li>

<li>B&H's D600 page has an image of the front side without any lens on. The D600 does have an aperture follower tab to meter with AI/AI-S lenses and it has a built-in AF motor with the "screwdriver": <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892427-REG/Nikon_D600_Digital_Camera_Body.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892427-REG/Nikon_D600_Digital_Camera_Body.html</a></li>

</ul>

<p>This is an image from Nikon USA showing the back side of the D600. It is very similar to the back of the D7000. Namely there is a dial on the left side of the camera to select the SPAM exposure mode, ok, maybe not spam, but P, A, S, M.<br>

There is also no separate AF-ON button; it is merged into the AF-L/AE-L button.</p>

<p>These two features could bother some photographers as we have seen complaints about similar features on the D7000.</p><div></div>

<p>The new Communication Unit <a href="http://www.nikon.com/news/2012/0913_unit_03.htm">UT-1</a> looks quite interesting too:<br>

<br /> <em>The UT-1 is compatible with the Nikon D4, D800, and D800E cameras for professional and advanced amateur photographers, as well as the D7000 for photo hobbyists. ...<br /></em><br>

<em> </em><br>

<em>The Wireless Mobile Adapter WU-1a and WU-1b can be used to easily transfer highquality images captured with cameras such as the D3200 and D600 to a smart device, or to control the camera remotely (remote control over movie recording is not supported).</em><br>

<em> </em></p>

<p>I agree, the chance to look at the picture in an iPad on the fly, provides more information during a studio session. Besides that, the Time-lapse options really saves time and no need to work more in a computer, as long the Nikon options really satisfy our creative demands.</p>

<p>Prayers answered :))</p>

<p>I praise nikon for making a 2k FF. I haven't had much good things to say of nikon in the past 2-3 years, but this deserve it. Now, if I was still interested in dslrs, this would definitely be it. Great job, Nikon! </p>

<p>Body size appears to be about that of a D300/D300S. Wonder what's the reason behind the reduction of the flash sync speed to 1/200s? But it does support high-speed FP. <br /> Scene modes in an FX DSLR - never thought I would see that.<br>

Max ISO 6400 - same as the D700. </p>

<p>Fairly convinced now that there won't be a DX D400 - don't think there is enough demand for a high-end DX camera these days. The DX mode on the D600 is about 10MP - that's back to the D200 resolution.</p>

<p>Bet quite a few people now wish they had not "splurged" on a D800 they didn't really need but had to get because the D700 was all of a sudden so "yesterday". Wonder how often Nikon can repeat this game until people catch on?</p>

<p>Engadget has some sample photos:</p>

<p>http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/13/nikon-d600-full-frame-dslr/</p>

<p>As the resident contrarian, I want three things in an FX D200 replacement: small size, great high ISO capabilities, big viewfinder. Come on Nikon, sink your R&D money into things that directly impact photo creation.</p>

<p>I don't care a single bit about WiFi, movie junk, Android apps (really?). Scene modes? Sigh. Given the heavy consumer/toy emphasis, I wonder how well it'll work with screwdriver AF lenses. At $2,100 though… how bad can it be? :D</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I want three things in an FX D200 replacement: small size, great high ISO capabilities, big viewfinder</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Small size, big viewfinder? like a caddy interior in a mini? Yeah... </p>

<p>Recall that back in June, some D600 images leaked: <a href="http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00aVF6">

http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00aVF6</a><br>

Some rumor site was promoting the idea of a $1500 FX DSLR and this was what I wrote in June:</p>

<blockquote>

<p ><a name="00aVQF"></a><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=24372">Shun Cheung</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Moderator" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/mod.gif" alt="" /><img title="Subscriber" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub10plus.gif" alt="" /><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/3rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Jun 15, 2012; 01:29 a.m.</p>

 

<p>However, while I have no insider info, I think those who expect some $1500 FX body will be disappointed. I expect any "consumer FX body" will be $2000 or perhaps a little more.

<br>

</blockquote>

<blockquote>

Fairly convinced now that there won't be a DX D400 - don't think there is enough demand for a high-end DX camera these days.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Nikon's priority for 2012 seems to be FX. The Sony DSC-RX1 ($2800 FX point and shoot) and SLT-A99 ($2800 FX DSLR) look very expensive in comparison. We'll see what Canon has to offer in the next few days before Photokina.</p>

<p>Since I already have a D700 and a D800E, I am not interested in a D600. Actually I think there will be a D400 (or some DX successor to the D300S), but that will probably be late this year or early 2013. For wildlife photography, it is hard to beat DX, and I don't need 24MP or 36MP; I need frame rate.</p>

<p>AF down to f/8 - in the D600 brochure the 200-400/4 is shown with a TC-20EIII (it has always been my understanding that that zoom doesn't work particularly well with TC - am I mistaken?). Wonder if I could use a TC-20EIII with reasonable results on a 300/4 - the resulting 600mm focal length would almost suffice for most of my shooting - though f/8 would be quite limiting. But compared to the D300, I should be getting at least 1 if not 2 f-stops from upping the ISO.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The Sony DSC-RX1 ($2800 FX point and shoot) and SLT-A99 ($2800 FX DSLR) look very expensive in comparison.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>$2100 for the D600 vs $3400 for 5D III - just out of curiosity I wonder what Canon's reply will be - if there is one.</p>

After having D800, the only new Nikon body I will be interested is D400 DX. And I hope it will come soon before I get rid

of all DX lenses.

<p>Somehow Nikon shys away from saying clearly if this camera has mechanical shaft auto focus mechanism. If the picture was a bit bigger it could asnwer this question.</p>

<p>The D3200 was not purchased by many because it did not offer the auto focus mechanism needed for older AF (not AF-S) lenses.</p>

<p>Take the "metal body" lightly. It has 2 out of 4 surfaces made of metal shielding plates. More like the D7000 camera, but not as good as the D700 or D200.</p>

<p>The number 600 places it below the D700, as the specs show.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>So the D300s, D700 (+MB-D10) and D4 still rule the high FPS sports arena..... :-(</p>

<p>Guess they don't want to take <em><strong>ANY</strong></em> sales away from the expensive, 'low res', high-speed D4.</p>

<p>No QXD card either.....</p>

<p>Mind you, if <strong>$</strong>2000 really becomes<strong> £</strong>1350, that's the same as a mint secondhand D700.</p>

<p>Does not make me regret choosing a D300s last year over waiting. I want frame rate, no preset dial on top, and Dx is great for me, I doubt if I will ever go to Fx. The D300s so far surpasses my expectations.</p>

<p>I'm not understanding why all of these toy/consumer cameras are coming out with higher resolution than the "flagship" D4. I'm financing starting a studio, and I really balked at whether or not I need a D4 anymore.</p>

<p>Scott, do you need the fastest AF? Do you need the highest frame rate? Do you need the longest battery power? If not, you don`t need a D4, despite of the Mpixels, for whatever.<br /> <em>"If you don`t know if you need it, you don`t need it".</em></p>

<p>A big miss... the AF-ON button and the "good old" eyepiece type.<br>

Likes; the card system and the compact size&weight with a 100% viewfinder. Great.</p>

<p>This looks like a great camera now that it's off the rumor circuit and we actually have true specs, accessories, and the like from Nikon. I actually think it's the prefect travel camera...lightweight and easier to use. I don't regret buying a D800 a month ago though...the frame rate is quite low and the focus system is not quite what I need for professional purposes.</p>

<p>It's clear that Nikon wants customers to pay for the high frame rate on FX. Right now, unless someone spends $6000 on a D4, they cannot have it with any of the newer bodies Nikon has announced, DX or FX. I imagine that when the D700 was announced Nikon sold a lot less D3 cameras, and the company doesn't want to make that mistake again. Understood. The D600 market position was probably what Nikon was going for when they released the D700 way back then. With this though, I still think there may be a follow-on to the D300s in that $1600 range. I find it hard to believe it's $6000 or bust for someone who wants more than 5.5fps. But for me at least, I now have to save up for a D4 or a used D3s.</p>

<p>Jose, I know, there are still a ton of reasons the D4 is worth what it is, in the ergonomics and controls alone. But it still stands to reason that their top of the line camera would be their highest resolution. I mean, this is the same resolution that the D3x blew our minds with, and that was almost four times the price. We're getting back to the point that a consumer can carry higher resolution in their pocket than what the professional grade bodies are capable of. As a portrait photographer it's a hard selling point when your customers believe they have better equipment than you.</p>

<p><em>I'm not understanding why all of these toy/consumer cameras are coming out with higher resolution than the "flagship" D4</em></p>

<p>This is a very simple question to answer. A lot of prosumers and amateurs lust after the highest resolution, whereas professionals more often care about speed, ergonomics and workflow efficiency. Each customer group gets the camera they ask for. I happen to be in the extremely small minority who specifically wanted the integral grip and high resolution, but the majority of customers seem to think it's an ill fit.</p>

 

<p>The real surprise for me is they have done away with the rear af button,that shoots it down for a lot of users including myself.</p>

<p>The AF-L and AE-L button can be programmed to act as AF-ON in the D7000; I am pretty sure this is the case for the D600 as well. The camera does have the in-body AF motor to drive older AF Nikkors:</p>

<p>http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d600/compatibility02.htm</p>

<p>5.5 fps at 24MP per image with a large buffer makes it in my opinion a nice general purpose FX camera.</p>

<p>I noticed in the specifications that the eyepoint is now 21mm yet the camera retains 100% viewfinder. I'm very disappointed that Nikon put a 17mm eyepoint on the D800; the D4 has 18mm with recessed ocular (so it doesn't need quite as much eyepoint as the recession leaves the photographer's nose more room). I'm very happy to see Nikon does pay attention to the needs of eyeglass wearers, even if only sporadically.</p>

<p>Ha, just had my first <strong>"Buy a D600"</strong> email! Surprise Surprise, it's the same old story...</p>

<p>££££ POUND : $$$$ DOLLAR parity......:-(</p>

<p>Body Only £1955.......</p>