Nikon D4 vs Nikon D600 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 16.2 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D4
63
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 24.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D600
66
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D4 and the Nikon D600 are full-frame DSLRs released in 2012, and they suit very different shooting styles. The D4, announced in January, is the larger body at 160 x 157 x 91 mm and 1340 g. The D600, announced that September, measures 141 x 113 x 82 mm and weighs 850 g, a 490 g difference in the smaller camera's favour. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 6, 2012 | September 13, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 160 x 157 x 91 mm | 141 x 113 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 1340 g | 850 g |
| Optics | 63/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D600 is the stronger choice for landscape, portrait and detail work, offering 24.3 megapixels against the D4's 16.2. That is 50 percent more pixels, giving more room to crop a distant subject or make large prints. The D4 is the clear winner for fast action, shooting at 11 frames per second against the D600's 5.5, with 51 autofocus points to the D600's 39. Its shutter reaches 1/8000 second instead of 1/4000, and its native ISO ceiling is 12800 rather than 6400. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors, the Expeed 3 processor and a pentaprism optical viewfinder, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.2 MP050 | 24.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4928 x 3280 | 6016 x 4016 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
23.9 x 36 | 24 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
11 fps045 | 5.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F | Nikon F FX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 3 | Expeed 3 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
2048003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
510300 | 390300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras cap video recording at Full HD and offer a maximum frame rate of 30 fps, saving MOV files, and both include built-in timelapse for interval shooting. Footage from either body arrives in your editing project at the same top resolution and file format, which keeps a mixed shoot simple. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | MOV |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D600 offers two everyday conveniences the D4 omits. Its built-in flash gives quick fill light when you carry no flashgun, and its WiFi moves images to a phone or computer without a card reader. Both cameras use a 3.2-inch LCD with 921,000 dots and live view, with no touch control or articulating screen on either. Both are weather sealed and support an external flash, and neither has GPS. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 87/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D4's EN-EL18 battery carries a 2600-shot rating against 900 shots for the D600's EN-EL15, a 1700-shot lead in the rated figures. Both take two cards, though the D4 pairs Compact Flash with XQD while the D600 uses SD, SDHC and SDXC. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash, XQD | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL18 | EN-EL15 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2600 shots1505000 | 900 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the D4 for sports, wildlife and press work, where its 11 fps burst, 51 autofocus points and 2600-shot battery rating suit a fast-moving, all-day assignment. Choose the D600 for landscapes, portraits and travel, where its 24.3 megapixels, lighter body, WiFi and built-in fill flash are the more useful set. Both are weather sealed, carry dual card slots and record the same maximum Full HD video, so the fundamentals are covered either way.