Nikon D600
Announced September 13, 2012
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Nikon D600 is a capable full-frame DSLR that delivers high-quality images and impressive dynamic range in a relatively compact, weather-sealed body. While it offers a strong feature set at an accessible price point, the camera is hampered by a centralized autofocus array and restrictive aperture controls in live view.
Weighted from 40 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent image quality with wide dynamic range and clean high ISO performance
- Compact, weather-sealed body that remains comfortable and sturdy
- Fast 5.5 fps continuous shooting and responsive handling
- Strong value proposition for photographers entering the full-frame market
- Dual SD card slots for backup or overflow storage
Cons
- Inability to adjust aperture while in live view or video mode
- Autofocus points are clustered too close to the center of the frame
- Maximum shutter speed and flash sync speed are lower than professional-tier models
- Sensor is prone to accumulating dust spots
- Limited buffer capacity and slow image review playback
- Launch price $2,099.95 (USD)
- Sensor 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Video 1080p 30p
What the Reviewers Say
All 40 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 87/100
The Nikon D600 brings full frame functionality to the masses, along with dual SD card slots and 100% viewfinder coverage.
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[O]ur experience with the Nikon D600 was quite positive. It's an excellent digital SLR with plenty of years of Nikon engineering in its design, and it shows. We have no trouble recommending it highly [...]
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The Nikon D600 yields very impressive results at all ISO levels, even at boosted ISO 12,800 and 25,600.
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As an all-round camera for true enthusiasts, the D600 makes perfect sense.
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[T]he D600 might be perfect for you. It leans more towards slower paced shooting conditions such as landscapes, but it is no slouch in any environment except insane peak-action conditions.
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Even without Nikon's "free lens" initiative the D600 was clearly a very good value in terms of the price/performance tradeoffs. Perhaps the best value so far.
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The Nikon D600 for the price point it just makes a lot of sense. Everything about this camera is fantastic for the price.
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The Nikon D600 performs extremely well with excellent image quality and a compact weather sealed body.
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At full resolution, the Nikon D600 captures an astonishing amount of detail - not quite as much as the D800 but still more than most people will ever need.
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I'm very happy with the results from the camera.
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The Nikon D600 is a great full-frame DSLR that offers a perfect blend of size, image quality, performance and price.
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The superb sensor, extensive yet accessible features and compactness make the Nikon D600 an exceptionally user-friendly full-frame.
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[Y]ou will never go wrong with the image quality on this camera.
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For many photographers, Nikon has it the sweet spot with the D600 – a perfect blend of size, image quality, performance and price.
- Digital Trends 9/10
This is hands-down one of the best DSLRs we’ve ever tested. Picture quality is simply great, with accurate colors that really pop.
- CNET 8.3/10
The D600 definitely feels like a must-have upgrade over the D700, if not for the resolution than for the generations-improved image-processing, better performance, and bigger viewfinder and LCD. And video, of course.
- Photo Review 88/100
Buy this camera if [y]ou want images with a wide dynamic range.
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If you want a full frame camera and you are on budget, take this camera and you will be happy. Besides all the technical aspects, some goodies, some flaws, the IQ is just great.
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So there we have it: this fence-straddling consumer-meets-pro DSLR is a cracker that offers great value for money. Clever, Nikon, very clever. You’ll want to pat the D600 on its camera-y head too.
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The D800 and 5D Mark III are tough acts to follow, and although the D600 is cheaper, the price difference isn’t huge. However, it’s extremely competitive regardless of price.
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I think Nikon has really hit a sweet spot in the market here for enthusiasts who want to go to full-frame, who don't need ultimate rugged reliability but want fantastic image quality and the second memory card, good speed as well.
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Got great HDR using the in-camera bracketing, one and two exposure compensation stops, and then post-processing, both using Photoshop and Nik HDR Efex Pro. If you're looking to get into the full-frame sensor market, the D600 is a very good camera for that.
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I can honestly say that this is my favorite DSLR camera on the market today. That's because it delivers so many great full-frame pro features at an enthusiast price point.
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It is hard to describe the D600 without superlatives. This 24 megapixels full-frame DSLR simply delivers the lowest image-noise and highest dynamic-range from any digital camera to date.
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This camera’s so good, we’d even say that a lot of people who would otherwise shell out for the D800 or 5D Mark III might consider the D600 instead. It’s really more than just a scaled-down professional camera for amateurs. This is a different tool altogether.
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The Nikon D600 is Nikon's best digital camera ever, at any price.
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Quality: excellent (of course!) Why you would buy the Nikon D600: you want full frame quality at a reasonable price and luggable weight/size.
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[T]he Nikon D600 is a great competitor in the market, and if you're in for a full-frame sensor, this is the best price versus value that you will get.
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[T]he Nikon D600 may not be the D700 replacement or make waves like the D3 did, but for most users it’s going to be like Goldilocks: just right.
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Many photographers who've spent the last few years shooting with crop frame DSLRs are beginning to feel the pull of full frame. [...] But if you're in the market for a full frame DSLR, should you consider the Nikon D600?
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[V]ery happy with the camera, especially as a stills camera. As a video camera, I think it's ok, the images that come out of it are beautiful, but the tools that were kind of disabled in my perspective are kind of silly on Nikon's part.
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[T]he Nikon D600 is a worthy entry into Nikon’s lineup, and one that I highly recommend both for those wanting to take the plunge into full frame photography and for shooters already using full frame cameras who want another body who aren’t bothered by some of its limitations.
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The Nikon D600 has all of the benefits of a full-frame DSLR in a fairly compact package. It's agile; it's inexpensive when you consider that it's a full-frame DSLR.
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I can't let this go; I still love the Nikon D600.
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[I]t's a very, very solid camera.
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Now this is the cheapest, as I told you, lightest, smallest full-frame camera, but that does not mean it compromises in any way with the quality.
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[I]t should be pretty clear from this review that I think the Nikon D600 is a worthy entry into Nikon’s lineup, and one that I highly recommend.
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[M]y impression of the camera is that it is really unbelievable.
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The D7000 was – and is – a fantastic camera, but the D600 is a compelling upgrade, delivering the lower noise and extra detail that comes with full-frame but without the usual prohibitive price tag.
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The D600 is a camera that offers extremely capable image quality. The image quality is essentially everything you could ask for at this price point and more.
