Got to play with a D600 today

Basically it's a lot like a D7000. Very similar.

The D600 is solid feeling. Not as solid as the D800/e but pretty good. If you've ever used a D7000 you'll know what it's like.

So anyway, a lot like the D700:

• The dial at the top is the same.
• The size is the same.
• The weight is the same.
• The button layout is the same.
• The ergonomics are the same

The main difference is the AF area in the VF is smaller than with the D7000. Because the D600 is a FF camera and it shares the AF system with the D7000. The D7000 AF area is very small in the middle of the larger FX viewfinder.


Here's what I mean. This gif compares the D7000 coverage to the D600 coverage:

Now this is the reason why I think the D600 AF coverage is so tiny compared to the D800. D800 AF vs D600 AF coverage:

I have owned the D7000 before and it's ok. A little small for me but usuable. I personally don't like the size because I don't like it when my hand falls off the bottom of a DSLR (my little finger rests under the camera with the D600 and I'd prefer all 4 fingers to be griping the body).

Oh one other thing, the D-Pad thing on the back of the D600 seems too small and hard to control to me. I prefer the D800 version a lot.

So bottom line, would I buy it? If I didn't have a D800(e) I might be tempted. But I'd still prefer a D800/e

Don't forget the:

Which is closer to the size & weight of a D300, the D600 or D800?

Screamin Scott wrote: Which is closer to the size & weight of a D300, the D600 or D800?

Just by feeling it I'd say the D800.

After researching on B&H:

D800:
Dimensions (WxHxD) 5.7 x 4.8 x 3.2" / 14.5 x 12.2 x 8.1 cm
Weight 2.20 lb / 1.00 kg

D300s:
Dimensions (WxHxD) 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9" / 14.73 x 11.43 x 7.37 cm
Weight 29.63 oz / 840 g Body only

D600:
Dimensions (WxHxD) 5.6 x 4.4 x 3.2" / 14.2 x 11.2 x 8.1 cm
Weight 1.11 lb / 0.50 kg Camera body only

SO I'm right. The D300s is 340g more than the D600 and 160g less than the D800.

Also the feel of the D300s is more solid than the D600. Not that the D600 feels weak, it's just that you can hold the D300 and D800/700 with all 4 fingers of your hand so it feels more solid.

This is a camera that does not even tempt me to buy. Just the body specs are enough to turn me off, and the cheesy selector dial for the Modes. Also the body is plastic fantastic if I remember right. This might appeal to some people who want to upgrade to Full Frame without the higher price tag though. But for me I hate those smaller bodies as well, that and neutered shutter speeds do not help either.
Now what I am hoping that this does not signal is that Nikon will not make another cropped sensor that is metal. If this is the case I will have to figure a way to keep my D300 alive forever. While I do want a D800E badly, I would still like to see a solid cropped body as well.

Looks as though I'll have to save for longer than I wanted, to get a D800 that is...

Joves wrote: This is a camera that does not even tempt me to buy. Just the body specs are enough to turn me off, and the cheesy selector dial for the Modes. Also the body is plastic fantastic if I remember right. This might appeal to some people who want to upgrade to Full Frame without the higher price tag though. But for me I hate those smaller bodies as well, that and neutered shutter speeds do not help either.
Now what I am hoping that this does not signal is that Nikon will not make another cropped sensor that is metal. If this is the case I will have to figure a way to keep my D300 alive forever. While I do want a D800E badly, I would still like to see a solid cropped body as well.

I agree. Though I don't feel the body feels much weaker than the full mental bodies. The plastic is pretty strong. Still I'd prefer a larger body though.

I kinda agree that they need to bring out something like a D400. Especially with a fast FPS. Budget sports guys would be all over that. Of course keep the better AF system.

Stealthy Ninja wrote:

Joves wrote: This is a camera that does not even tempt me to buy. Just the body specs are enough to turn me off, and the cheesy selector dial for the Modes. Also the body is plastic fantastic if I remember right. This might appeal to some people who want to upgrade to Full Frame without the higher price tag though. But for me I hate those smaller bodies as well, that and neutered shutter speeds do not help either.
Now what I am hoping that this does not signal is that Nikon will not make another cropped sensor that is metal. If this is the case I will have to figure a way to keep my D300 alive forever. While I do want a D800E badly, I would still like to see a solid cropped body as well.

I agree. Though I don't feel the body feels much weaker than the full mental bodies. The plastic is pretty strong. Still I'd prefer a larger body though.

I kinda agree that they need to bring out something like a D400. Especially with a fast FPS. Budget sports guys would be all over that. Of course keep the better AF system.

Well that and wildlife shooters love the crop sensor with the FX lenses. I personally love the weight of a metal body over plastic, but the grip is the main thing. I remember my D50, 80 as being too small and my pinky always under the base, and I do not have bog hands either. They just felt toyish. Like I said I realize that with the D600 they are going for a certain segment of the buying public, it just is not me.

Good write up, thanks for posting this. I was thinking about upgrading my D300 to this, but think I might just go with the D800 yet. The price is nice, but everyone is saying the same thing. Go with the D800.