When he came out on the market the Canon EOS 300D back in 2003 made history, as it carried the APS-C digital SLR finally below the threshold of $1,000. Today at Photokina there are two new full-frame cameras, which despite being advertised with a price not just to everyone, according to forecasts by short their price should settle below the $2,200. One of this is the Nikon D600, Here are details of my impressions.
Table of Contents
Nikon D600: Design
The Nikon D600 is really small and light. His body is directly derived from that of the Nikon D7000, a fact that is clear from the layout of the controls. In any case falls well in hand, even for me that I have anything but small. Great balance with the optics available for the test, the AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm F3.5-4.5G ED VR, but there should be no problems even with longer focal lengths and heavy.
The viewfinder, while losing the typical round of the slide preceded the full frame, you should always see 100%, we note that the precision with which it is possible to include or exclude details near the edges of the frame. I appreciate of course the dual memory slots, both dedicated to the SD card. I have always believed that the dual-slot mixed create some discomfort, as you have to buy different types of media. In addition, the CF cards are less and less popular and therefore, more expensive than SD cards.
Nikon D600: Features and Functionality
Finally a shot that does not turn everyone in the theater. The shutter sound and the mirror is markedly more muffled than the Nikon D700. In specific situations, there is also the mode ” Q ” that holds the mirror raised long as you hold the shutter button, so as to avoid the rapid succession of the shutter sound and indeed, the mirror.
The auto focus has 39 points, 12 less than both the D800 and D700 that. This creates problems with the fact that they are too concentrated in the center: no point to focus on when we want to decentralize strongly on the subject, unless of course to reassemble. Apart from that the focus is quick and accurate in all modes.
It seemed very efficient also the exposure meter. I also appreciated the focus in Live View mode, but not lightning fast enough not to regret the mirror down. Among the features, I appreciated the presence of the secondary level in two axes, vertical and horizontal.
Obviously, the video. But just as obviously, I do not care, so I did not even try. It excites me terribly instead being able to remotely control the camera via Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the accessory that makes possible for the whole, the wireless adapter WU-1b, was not available for the test.
In JPG, there is a vertical banding that is obviously known only with a 100% magnification. I am sure that it is a defect related to the new firmware and then not perfected and that going from RAW certainly disappear, but at the time it’s not really a pretty sight.
The noise is well controlled up to ISO 1,600. In 3,200, you begin to notice the color noise. ISO 6,400 and 12,800 sensitivities are to be used only in emergency situations. Not yet able to update your Camera RAW for Adobe Photoshop CS6 I have not analyzed the differences between RAW and JPG. I’ll do it when I have the opportunity for a thorough test.
Conclusion
The Nikon D600 is a great camera, designed to become a best seller as it was the Nikon D700. The latter had a few flaws heavy, bulky, noisy in the shot, with the viewfinder is not 100%, with a single memory slot. The Nikon D600 has practically solved all these defects, adding a doubling of the resolution and some interesting features, both from the point of view that the now ubiquitous photographic point of view video. The list price at the time of Euro 2150 is not much of the distance from the Nikon D800, but for people like me who does not like to handle heavy files is still a good choice.
Where to Buy Nikon D600
- 24.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor
- 39-point AF system (9 cross-type)
- ISO 100-6400 expandable up to 25,600
- 3.2 inch LCD with 921,000 dots
- Full 1080p HD video
Overall
PROS : Compact and lightweight, Silent shooting, Viewfinder to 100%, Dual memory slot, Autofocus Live View in efficient mode, Electronic level on two axes, Possibility of remote control via Wi-Fi accessory.
CONS : Fewer focus points of the other models and concentrated only in the center of the frame, High resolution, Banding in JPG.
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