Nikon Announces the D600 - a New Full Frame DSLR with a 24MP Sensor

The new Nikon D600 sports a 24.3MP full frame (35mm size) CMOS sensor with a body style, features and control layout resembling the Nikon D7000; including a 39 Point Autofocus System, of which 9 of the AF Points are Cross type.
The D600 doesn't skimp on features, as it includes weather sealing, along with the same EXPEED 3 Processing Engine used in higher end Nikon models like the D800, along with a shutter life expectancy of approximately 150,000 cycles. This new Nikon model also includes an Optical Viewfinder with 100% Coverage (a feature normally reserved for the most expensive Pro Level DSLR models), with the performance users demand, allowing the camera to shoot up to 100 JPEG Images at 5.5fps, with dual memory card slots that are able to support the latest SDHC or SDXC cards with UHS-1 support for faster write speeds. The D600 also sports a 3.2" wide angle LCD and built in Flash, along with a hotshot allowing the use of the latest Nikon Speedlights for users wanted more control of lighting.
The new Nikon D600 is capable of recording full 1080p HD video at 30, 25 or 24 frames per second, and can stream uncompressed footage out over its HDMI port. The D600 uses the lastest H.264.MPEG-4 AVC Video Compression standards to insure optimum quality with lower storage requirements, and the camera also allows the use of full frame (Nikkor FX Series Lenses) during movie recording for users demanding the Depth of Field control a full frame sensor and lenses can deliver, allowing a shallower Depth of Field at than would be possible with cameras using a smaller APS-C Size Sensor.
This new Nikon DSLR also allows the use of an optional WU-11b Wireless Adapter to allow easy transfer of images to family and friends, or uploading images to web sites. Nikon will also make applications available to allow control of the camera from Mobile devices running Android or IOS for even more flexibility.
The Nikon D600 will have a list price of approximately $2,099 for the body only, or $2,699 for a kit including a Nikkor 24-85mm F3.5-5.6 lens; and should be available starting September 18th.
See the complete Press Release below:
A FX-format camera with a body smallest and lightest among FX-format cameras that offers excellent basic performance and a 24.3-megapixel image sensor for superior imaging performance
TOKYO - Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the release of
the Nikon D600. Despite having the smallest and lightest body among
Nikon FX-format cameras, the D600 offers advanced basic camera
performance, and is equipped with a new FX-format CMOS image sensor
with an effective pixel count of 24.3-million pixels and the same
EXPEED 3 image-processing engine built into high-end Nikon D-SLRs
(D4, D800, D800E) for superior definition and image quality.
The D600 is a new model added to the Nikon FX-format digital SLR
lineup with a smaller size and lighter weight-approx. 141 (W) x 113
(H) x 82 (D) mm, 760 g*1
for excellent portability, yet offers the superior image quality and
rendering performance, operation, and durability of high-end
FX-format D-SLRs. The D600 is a compact and lightweight camera that
offers excellent cost performance. In addition to a new FX-format
CMOS image sensor with an effective pixel count of 24.3-million
pixels and the same EXPEED 3 image-processing engine built into
high-end models, the D600 inherits a number of advanced features from
its high-end cousins, including an optical viewfinder with frame
coverage of 100%*2,
a large and clear, 3.2-inch LCD monitor with a wide viewing angle for
superior visibility, and the same dust- and water-resistance as the
D800 and D800E. What's more, this single FX-format camera also offers
support for the complete DX NIKKOR lens lineup for greater
convenience with both still image shooting and movie recording. The
D600 makes full use of its 24.3-million effective pixels with
high-resolution, full-HD movie recording (1920 x 1080/30p). It is
also equipped with the Multi-area mode Full-HD D-Movie function,
which enables recording in either FX- or DX-based movie format for
more creative imaging expression.
- *1Body only.
*2With shooting in FX format.
D600 Development Background
Nikon has been strengthening and expanding its FX-format digital
SLR camera lineup, most recently with the release of the D4, the new
FX-format flagship model that offers the ultimate in functions and
performance, followed by the D800 and D800E, both equipped with a
CMOS image sensor with an effective pixel count of 36.3-million
pixels, for incredible definition and image quality. The D600 was
developed to bring the enjoyment of photography with an FX-format
camera to a broader range of users. It offers the superior rendering
characteristics, image quality, operation, and durability of previous
FX-format D-SLRs in a body that is as compact, lightweight, and easy
to use as DX-format cameras, thus making it suited not only to
advanced amateur and professional photographers, but also photo
enthusiasts looking to make the most of their more creative side.
D600 primary features
The Nikon FX format in a compact and lightweight body for excellent portability
The D600 measures approximately 141.0
x 113.0 x 82.0 mm (W x H x D) and weights approximately 760 g*,
making it extremely compact and the lightest Nikon FX-format digital
SLR camera available. In addition to adoption of a lightweight and
durable magnesium alloy for the top and rear body covers, all joints
are effectively sealed for the same superior dust- and
water-resistance as the D800 and D800E.
- *Body only.
A new 24.3-megapixel FX-format CMOS image sensor for
superior image quality and resolution over a broad range of
sensitivities
The D600 is equipped with a new
FX-format CMOS image sensor with an effective pixel count of
24.3-million pixels that ensures a high signal-to-noise ratio and
broad dynamic range. The camera supports a broad range of standard
sensitivities, from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, for beautiful images
exhibiting very little noise and rich expression of tones. The range
of sensitivities can also be expanded to the equivalent of ISO 50 (Lo
1) or up to the ISO 25600 equivalent (Hi 2). What's more, use of
NIKKOR lenses equipped with Nikon's advanced optical technologies
maximizes performance of the D600's FX-format CMOS sensor, with its
effective pixel count of 24.3-million pixels, for images that offer
clear and sharp reproduction of even the finest details.
The EXPEED 3 image-processing engine, optimized for high-performance digital SLR cameras like the D600, for superior, high-speed processing
The D600 is equipped with the same
EXPEED 3 high-speed image-processing engine built into high-end D4,
D800, and D800E Nikon FX-format cameras. The EXPEED 3
image-processing engine has been optimized for digital SLR cameras to
offer faster and better performance for faithful rendering, vivid
color reproduction, and expression of a broad dynamic range. It also
effectively suppresses noise with advanced noise-reduction processing
for still images captured at high sensitivities under dim lighting,
all while preserving definition and sharpness. Special
noise-reduction processing designed especially for movies maintains
crisp, clear outlines in movies recorded in low-light situations
Excellent basic camera performance and operation for comfortable shooting
Adoption of the Multi-CAM4800
autofocus sensor module enables certain acquisition and tracking of
the intended subject with 39 focus points. Cross-type sensors have
been adopted for the nine most frequently used focus points at the
center of the frame. In addition, seven focus points (5 horizontal
focus points and 1 each above and below at the center of the frame)
are fully functional at f/8. All of this means more precise
autofocusing when super-telephoto NIKKOR lenses are used with a
teleconverter (2.0x).
What's more, extremely precise
automatic control provided by the Scene Recognition System analyzes
detailed scene brightness and color information acquired from the
2,016-pixel RGB sensor, and applies that information to autofocus,
automatic exposure, i-TTL balanced fill-flash, and white balance
control.
The D600 is also equipped with a
high-magnification optical viewfinder that supports a frame coverage
of approximately 100% with shooting in FX format and magnification of
approximately 0.7x*1.
The 3.2-inch, approximately 921k-dot monitor with wide viewing angle
is equipped with an ambient brightness sensor that automatically
controls monitor brightness and contrast according to ambient
lighting conditions to ensure clear viewing. Dual SD memory card
slots (SDXC, UHS-I2
compliant) that enable the use of two SD memory cards at a time make
for smoother, stress-free still-image and movie recording.
- *1With 50-mm f/1.4 lens at
infinity, -1.0m-1
- *2 Interface standard
High-resolution, full-HD movie recording at 1920 x
1080/30p making full use of a high effective pixel count of
24.3-million pixels, and Multi-area mode Full-HD D-Movie for
recording movies in one of two formats
By simply pressing the movie-record
button just above and to the left of the shutter-release button in
movie live view mode, users can enjoy movie recording that makes full
use of the camera's 24.3-million effective pixels. Not only does the
D600 support full-HD movie recording at 1920 x 1080/30p, but adoption
of the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard ensures that
superior picture quality is maintained while data is compressed to
allow for recording of a single movie for up to 29 minutes and 59
seconds*1.
The Multi-area mode Full-HD D-Movie
function offers two movie formats*2,
FX-based movie format and DX-based movie format, for recording of
full-HD 1920 x 1080/30p. (both FX- and DX lenses can be used). The
FX-based movie format makes full use of the large image sensor and
offers a shallow depth-of-field with an emphasis on blur
characteristics while the DX-based movie format is optimal for
recording movies that bring subjects closer when lenses with short
focal lengths are used.
The D600 is also equipped with a
headphone jack so that headphones may be used to check sound, and
movies and the movie live view display can be viewed simultaneously
in the camera's monitor and an external monitor. Uncompressed movie
data recorded in movie live view mode can also be output to an
external recorder via the built-in HDMI interface, and the time-lapse
photography function can be used to automatically photograph
relatively slow moving action, such as the blooming of a flower and
the passing of clouds, at specified intervals. The camera then
combines the photos and records them as a silent time-lapse movie.
- *1Maximum length is 20 minutes
with some frame size/rate and movie quality settings.
- *2Movies are recorded with an
aspect ratio of 16 : 9 regardless of the format selected.
Support for the Wireless Mobile Adapter WU-1b for
collaboration with smart devices
When the Wireless Mobile Adapter WU-1b
(sold separately) is connected, true, high-quality photos captured
with a compatible digital SLR camera can be easily transferred to a
smart device*1
for sharing of images. The smart device can be used to control camera
shooting remotely with the live view display shown in the smart
device screen, and images captured with the D600 can be transferred
to the smart device over a wireless network connection*2
(remote movie recording is not supported). The WU-1b allows for the
immediate transfer of photos captured with the D600 and NIKKOR lenses
to family and friends, or uploading to blogs or social networking
sites, increasing the ways users enjoy their photos after they are
taken.
- *1Android smartphones running
2.3.x or 4.0 and Android tablets running OS version 3.x or 4.0 are
supported. iOS devices(iPhone, iPad, iPod touch) running 5.1 and
5.1.1 are supported.
*2The Wireless Mobile Adapter Utility app must first be installed on the smart device. The app can be downloaded free of charge from the smart device's app store.
Additional D600 Features and Functions
- Extremely fast response with
high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 5.5 fps*, a power-up
time of approximately 0.13 s*, and a shutter-release time lag of
approximately 0.052 s*, as well as a virtual horizon feature showing
not only horizontal tilt to the left or right (roll), but also
forward and backward tilt (pitch; only the roll indicator is
displayed in the viewfinder).
- Equipped with a built-in flash
that covers the angle of view of a wide-angle 24-mm lens and has a
guide number of approximately 12/39 (m/ft, ISO 100, 20°C/68°F).
The built-in commander function enables wireless control over up to
two groups of remote optional flash units with the built-in flash
serving as the master flash.
- New Multi-Power Battery Pack
MB-D14 (sold separately), which holds not only Rechargeable Li-ion
Batteries EN-EL15, but also AA batteries (alkaline, lithium, Ni-MH)
is available.
- A durable shutter unit that has
passed testing for approximately 150,000 cycles, and supports a
maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 s and flash sync speed of 1/200 s.
The shutter is equipped with a monitor function that automatically
checks for, and detects, errors between the specified shutter speed
and actual shutter speed.
- A locking mechanism on the mode
dial prevents accidental adjustment of the shooting. Operation has
also been improved by positioning the mode dial on top of the
release mode dial.
- Independent Picture Control and
movie-record buttons make the camera easier to operate.
- A live view selector makes live
view operation more convenient with smooth switching between live
view photography and movie live view.
- Nikon's image browsing and editing
software, ViewNX 2, is supplied with purchase.
*Measured according to CIPA guidelines.
- *Google, Android, and Google Play
are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc.
- *iPad, iPhone and iPod touch are
trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries.
*Products , brand names and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.