Nikon D600 vs Nikon D800E — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D600
66
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 36.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Nikon D800E
69
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D600 and Nikon D800E are both DSLRs released in 2012, and the D600 is the lighter, more compact carry. It weighs 850 g against 1000 g for the D800E, and it measures 141 x 113 x 82 mm versus 146 x 123 x 82 mm. The D800E reached the market first, announced on 7 February 2012, with the D600 following that September. | ||
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. |
September 13, 2012 | February 7, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 141 x 113 x 82 mm | 146 x 123 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 850 g | 1000 g |
| Optics | 70/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D800E is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 36.3 megapixels against 24.3 on the D600. That is 12 million more pixels for recording detail in landscape, studio and wildlife frames you intend to crop hard or print big. Its 1/8000-second top shutter speed also gives one extra stop of exposure control for wide apertures in bright light, where the D600 stops at 1/4000. The D600 answers with a faster 5.5-frame-per-second burst for action sequences, against 4 fps on the D800E. The D800E carries 51 autofocus points to the D600's 39, spreading focus coverage further across the frame. Both pair the Expeed 3 processor with a full-frame CMOS sensor, share a 100 to 6400 ISO standard range, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.3 MP050 | 36.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6016 x 4016 | 7360 x 4912 |
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. |
24 x 35.9 | 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. |
5.5 fps045 | 4 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 FX | Nikon F |
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. |
64003003280000 | 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. |
256003003280000 | 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. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
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. |
390300 | 510300 |
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 ComparisonVideoFor video, neither camera offers an advantage over the other: both cap recording at Full HD resolution, and 30 fps is the maximum frame rate on each. Both record MOV files, so your editing setup can stay the same either way. Built-in timelapse on each body also lets you shoot interval sequences without an external controller. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesWireless image transfer is available on both cameras through built-in Wi-Fi, and both carry weather sealing for shooting outdoors. Each has a 3.2-inch LCD with 921,000 dots and live view, plus a built-in flash and support for external flash units. Neither offers GPS, a touchscreen, a tilting screen or Bluetooth, so location tagging and touch control sit outside this choice. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard format is the useful split here: the D800E takes CompactFlash alongside UHS-I-compatible SD cards in its dual slots, while the D600's two slots both take SD. If you already own fast CompactFlash cards, the D800E puts them to work directly. Both run on the same EN-EL15 battery with a 900-shot rating, and neither supports USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible), Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL15 | EN-EL15 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
900 shots1505000 | 900 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D800E if your photography rewards resolution: landscapes, studio portraits and heavily cropped wildlife frames all benefit from its 36.3 megapixels, with its 1/8000-second shutter and 51 autofocus points backing that up. Choose the D600 for moving subjects and travel, where its 5.5 fps burst and 150 g lighter body serve you better. Otherwise, the two share the full-frame format, the same Full HD video ceiling and the same 900-shot battery rating.