The Nikon® D600 is a D7000-style, advanced-enthusiast camera, on steroids. It’s the next step for an especially enthusiastic enthusiast who simply must have a full-frame sensor and needs the 24 megapixels for larger image size. It is not only an amazing still camera, but like its big sister the Nikon D800, can stream uncompressed video from its HDMI port to an external recording device, such as an Atomos Ninja-2.

For the photographer who has always desired a full-frame (FX) HD-SLR but couldn’t afford the extra cost, the Nikon D600 changes everything. For only US$2099.95, you can acquire an FX camera with image quality like the very expensive Nikon D3X (at lower ISOs). All those Nikkor prime lenses you’ve been collecting and the new FX Nikkor lenses you’ve desired can now be used to their full advantage.

Briefly, let’s look at the most important specs of the camera:

• 24.3-megapixel FX-Format CMOS sensor (35.9 x 24mm)
• EXPEED 3 image processing engine
• 100% Viewfinder coverage with glass prism
• 3.2″ LCD Monitor with 921K dots and ambient-light auto brightness control
• Uncompressed, clean HDMI output (no overlays)
• Weather-sealing on most critical points
• ISO range: 100-6400 (extended to: Lo-1 or ISO 50 and Hi-2 or ISO 25,600)
• 39 point AF system with new MultiCAM 4800FX AF Module
• Nine cross-type sensors, with seven AF points active to f/8
• 2,016-pixel RGB sensor for exposure
• AF modes: Single point, Continuous AF, Dynamic AF, and 3D tracking
• EN-EL15 Li-ion battery (Same as D800 and D7000)
• 5.5 fps shooting speed at full FX resolution
• Shutter tested to 150,000 shooting cycles
• Maximum shutter speed of 1/4000s
• Flash sync speed of 1/200s
• Locking Mode dial to prevent accidental adjustments while shooting
• Two SD card slots with latest SDXC and UHS-I2 high-speed standards
• Built-in flash (guide number of approximately 12/39 m/ft, ISO 100, 20°C/68°F)
• U1 and U2 User settings like on the D7000
• Several SCENE modes
• Auto DX crop mode
• One-touch access to Picture Controls (new dedicated button)
• Built in Time-lapse function
• Built-in HDR mode
• Built-in Speedlight Commander Mode for Nikon CLS control
• New MB-D14 battery grip
• Built-in AF motor
• H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Video compression
• Full HD (1080p) with 30p, 25p, 24p, HD with 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p
• 29 minutes and 59 seconds (or 20 minutes Full HD) movie segment length
• Headphone Jack for monitoring sound
• Live view photography and Movie live view modes
• Measures approximately 141.0 x 113.0 x 82.0 mm (W x H x D) and weighs approximately 760 g
• Ready to shooting in 0.13 seconds with a 0.052 second shutter release
• WU-1b Wireless Adapter is available (50 foot range)

Positioned between the Nikon D7000 and the Nikon D800, the D600 fills a gap that has needed filling for several years. Before now, the only way to own a DSLR having an FX sensor and an affordable price was to buy a used 12-megapixel Nikon D700 or save your pennies for the 36-megapixel Nikon D800.

Now you have a real choice! There is no need to settle for an older model, when a brand new Nikon D600 provides all the new features expected in a modern HD-SLR camera, at a price that the everyday photographer can afford. Sure, this is not Coolpix pricing, but you are not a Coolpix shooter, you are an advanced enthusiast.

Keep on capturing time…
Darrell Young

Download a Nikon D600 Brochure here