The Nikon D600 will make its official introduction next month. This entry-level full-frame DSLR from Nikon is set to make an impact with ripple effects from enthusiasts and amateur to professional ranks. While the D600 already has photographers eager with anticipation, videographers and amateur filmmakers are also salivating at the possibilities. Learn why the D600 will deliver true cinematic results at such an afforable price.

Filmmakers prefer the full-frame 35mm format for the same reason portrait photographers do; it allows them to get shallow depth of field to isolate their subject while blurring the background. This separation gives a director the ability to render a scene to tell a story, much like the way a painter puts detail in one area of a painting while leaving other elements less defined. The large sensor also has an advantage in its ability to gather light for shooting video in near dark settings.

Currently, filmmakers are use DSLR cameras because they are a less expensive alternative to professional cinema cameras. But the cost of a professional-level full-frame DSLR is too high for many amaeturs, enthusiasts and students, leading them to more affordable crop sensor DSLR cameras (Nikon D7000, Canon 7D) as a compromise. While these crop sensor cameras deliver more depth of field than a camcorder, they simply can’t produce the shallow depth of field of a full-frame 35mm camera.

When the Nikon D600 DSLR enters the market at near $1500 it will have all the benefits of a full-frame 35mm sensor as well as high-end features previously only found in professional-level cameras, except its price will be not much more than current crop sensor cameras. To say that DSLR video enthusiasts are excited about this possibility is an understatement. The demand for such a camera among filmmakers will be overwhelming. We expect Canon will respond in similar fashion with an entry-level DSLR of their own.

From photos and information leaked over the past few weeks, we have already seen a majority of the features of the Nikon D600. Offering an external stereo mic input allows the use of off-camera sound preferred by videographers and filmmakers. A stereo headphone jack allows live monitoring of sound. An HDMI output allows live signal to be monitored, recorded or broadcast via an external source. And a USB connection allows external control of the camera.

While most amateur DSLR video enthusiasts prefer manual focus, the D600 also offer full time auto focus during video recording. For those who prefer manual control over focus, ISO, and aperture, the D600 will provide full manual control, including the ability to select aperture in the camera when using modern Nikon G lenses (without an external aperture ring), just like the D4 and D800. The D600 also provides two SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots, with the ability to record videos to one and photos to another. Ultra High-Speed Class 1 (UHS-1) SD cards are also supported.

The D600 will deliver HD video at 1920×1080 resolution, offering 24, 25 and 30 fps progressive frame rates, as well as 720p resolution at 25, 30 as well as high speed 50 and 60 fps for action and slow motion effects. Standard video format is MPEG-4 using H.264 codec.

The Nikon D600 will be announced in September before Photokina. It will be manufactured by Nikon in Thailand, alongside the Nikon D3200 and other Nikon consumer-level cameras.

The Nikon D600 will make its official debut in just a few short weeks and to prepare for its launch, we take an in-depth look at the Nikon D600 features and details. What makes the D600 unique is its potential price position. By packaging a full-frame sensor in a compact DSLR camera body, and pricing it like a high-end crop-frame camera, Nikon hopes to entice hobbyists and enthusiasts from DX to FX.

The ability to use a plethora of outstanding FX lenses, ranging from 50-year old vintage manual-focus to modern stabilized zoom lenses, make this camera attractive to many. Nikon has produced F-mount lenses since 1959, all of which can be used on the D600 (although early lenses made through the late 70s will require AI conversion). In addition, Nikon introduced a number of excellent, affordable lenses in the past few months in anticipation of the D600 release, including the 85mm f1.8G, 28mm f1.8G, and 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 G ED VR, all within the $500-700 price range.

In the D600, Nikon delivers the features necessary to make use of all these lenses. Those using older lenses will enjoy the D600’s built-in focus motor that controls AF and AF-D lenses produced without modern AF-S in-lens motors. It also has an AI indexing tab to read the aperture setting on lenses with manual aperture rings (non-G lenses).

The feature set of the FX D600 mirrors that of the DX D7000. In fact, the camera is nearly the same size and weight and shares a similar mode dial and button layout. The D600 adds a video record button next to the shutter release and an updated red swoosh above the grip. The top of the grip and shutter release are sloped similar to the D800.

The D600 mode dial adds a lock, a feature the D7000 lacks. Otherwise the mode dial shares the same features: Auto, Auto no flash, Scene, user defined modes U1 and U2, Manual, Aperture priority, Shutter priority and Program mode. A sub-dial allows the release mode to be chosen: single, continuous low and high speeds, quiet, self-timer and a mirror-up mode. Programmable function and depth of field preview buttons are found on the front of the camera, next to the grip.

The top of the camera houses an internal flash, as well as a large pentaprism to deliver 100% viewfinder coverage. A mono microphone is found on the front of the camera, under the infrared receiver. A lever select manual or auto focus modes, and pressing the AF control button allows changing auto focus settings by rotating the command dial.

Because it shares so many features and much of the layout and physical size, Nikon makes the move to FX in the D600 obvious for existing DX owners. When a DX lens is mounted on the D600 it automatically activates crop mode and produces approximately 11MP images. The D600 uses dual SD card slots, with the ability to write data to one or both cards for redundancy. The body of the D600 features weather sealing and a magnesium alloy frame. See the full Nikon D600 Specifications for additional information.

Advanced features include wireless remote control capabilities when used with the optional WU-1a Wi-Fi Dongle, HDMI video output, 1080p video using MPEG-4 H.264 compression and full time auto focus during video recording. A built-in intervalometer gives control for shooting time lapse photography and the D600 can automatically create a movie from the individual frames.

The official D600 announcement will come before Photokina imaging fair in Cologne, Germany, September 18-23, 2012. The camera will be available this fall and you can place a Nikon D600 Pre-order at the retailer of your choice as soon as the camera is officially announced.

Question from a reader:

I want upgrade to a full-frame camera. Should I should get the Nikon D700 now or wait for the D600?

–Bob Lundquist

This question has been asked many ways and the same question was raised quite often around the time of the D800 announcement. The truth is, many people who were waiting for the D700 successor were disappointed with the D800. Nikon admitted it was not the D700 replacement. The upcoming D600 may not be that camera either.

The D700 is an excellent camera and represents a professional-level build and is a workhorse capable of capturing amazing images. It shares the image sensor with the D3 which was at its release a breakthrough camera for Nikon and still relevant today, five years later. You can buy a new D700 camera new for just over $2000, and used D700 on eBay are selling for around $1700. The D700 offers 12MP resolution. Time has proven this camera can deliver and is still the camera of choice for many professionals.

The D600 will be announced in just a few weeks and is expected to be priced very competitively around $1500-1800. It will be 24MP and both smaller and lighter than the D700. It will be similar to the D7000 in size, construction and features. The D600 will offer some degree of weather sealing, but it will not be the professional-level build of the D700. With the latest sensor technology, the D600 will certainly offer better dynamic range, better high ISO image quality and it will offer outstanding HD video. There is little doubt your money will buy the latest technology and somewhat better image quality with the D600, but the question is do you need it today?

If you are losing money because your camera does not serve you now and can’t wait to purchase, grab the D700 and don’t look back. If you need a battle-tested camera that can stand up to professional abuse, the D700 will still be that camera after the D600 is released. Even after its announcement, the D600 will not be readily available for several months. As we have seen with many new cameras, it will take time to satisfy initial demand and to correct potential flaws that might become an issue if you depend on your camera to make a living.

If you want the newest camera and the best image quality possible, and consider photography to be a hobby, hold off a few months to wait for the D600. Technology has come a long way since the D700 was introduced and the D600 will prove full-frame has reached mainstream. As soon as it is officially announced, many stores will begin their D600 pre-order. You can sign up to get yours first, without obligation, from many retailers who offer a generous cancellation and return policy.

Either one you choose, the best camera is the one you have in your hands. Enjoy!

A source has told SonyAlphaRumors.com that the Nikon D600 will use Sony’s 24 MP sensor. The same full-frame sensor will also be used in the Sony A99 camera. The source also revealed the D600 will be priced around 1500 Euros ($1800 US Dollars). The D600 may be announced by the end of August.

The highly anticipated Sony A99 will be its new DSLR flagship. It is expected to deliver 12fps in a weather-sealed body with 102 AF points, phase detection AF while shooting video thanks to its translucent mirror technology. The A99 is expected to be priced around 2500 Euros, while the D600 would be aimed at the entry-level FX market, with a non-weather-sealed body and trimmed down size and features. The A99 will stand up against the Nikon D800 and Canon 5D Mark III.

But the D600 may face competition from Canon. There have been rumors of a Canon 6D coming that will compete for lowest-priced full-frame camera. The 6D is expected to deliver 22 MP in a 7D size body and may come by October 2012.

Rumors of the upcoming Nikon D600 are surfacing from sources around the world. The September 2012 issue of Foto Magazin (German) features a Photokina 2012 preview, including upcoming Nikon products on page 28 along with a “top secret” photo of the D600. The photo is a rendering of the camera by Zoran Petrovicz and appears to be made using a modified D800 image. The article contains details previously leaked from Nikon Rumors.

D600 appears in a Nikon Magazine in Italy

Nikon Magazine (Italy) published an advertisement by retailer Giudici containing a Nikon D600 in the camera lineup along side the D800 and D700. The photo appears to actually be a D800. The text above the picture reads “prevendita” which translates to advance or presale. You can see a copy of this ad at Focus.

The D600 is highly anticipated to be announced before or during the biennial Photokina show September 18-23, 2012 in Cologne, Germany. It is expected to be a breakthrough entry-level full-frame camera targeted at amateurs and enthusiasts. The size and build level will similar to the D7000, but feature a 24MP full-frame sensor. Full D600 specifications have been leaked well in advance of the upcoming announcement. Photos of the Nikon D600 have appeared around the web showing the affordable compact-body FX DSLR.

The first photos of the Nikon D600 were leaked on Chinese website Xitek this morning. The photos show the front, part of the left side and top of the new full-frame camera from Nikon. The D600 is a compact body with FX format sensor. One photo clearly shows the large mirror and pentaprism that confirms this is a full-frame camera. The auto focus motor is also clearly visible. The two buttons on the front could be a function button and a dept of field preview.

The side view of the Nikon D600 shows the current focus mode selector switch and button as seen on the D800. The side doors are labeled Mic for mic input for video, as well as more ports which would house the HDMI output, USB connectivity and remote port. The panel on the upper right above the D600 logo appears to be an infrared remote receiver window.

The top view shows the back-lit LCD display, direct access to video recording button, metering mode selector button, command dial, exposure compensation button, shutter release and traditional on-off switch. The viewfinder hump is clearly large enough to accommodate the large viewfinder necessary on the full-frame format.

At the upper left we see the mode selector with lock, and some modes are visible, including a mirror-up shooting mode (Mup). The body appears to be at least as compact as a D7000 and maybe even smaller. The lens shown is the Nikon 50mm 1.4D NIKKOR.

The D600 is expected to be announced soon with delivery toward the end of Summer 2012. The camera is expected to be priced competitively, perhaps landing below $2000 US Dollars at introduction. This is an aggressive move for Nikon, but with a low-cost FX option many users will be enticed to upgrade and will greatly increase the demand for full-frame lenses, such as the recently released 28mm f/1.8G and 85mm f/1.8G as well as the 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR also announced today.

As reported by Nikon Rumors, there is a new 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 VR AF-S NIKKOR zoom lens on the way from Nikon. The lens is intended to be an affordable mid-range zoom optimized for full-frame digital cameras. Such a lens would make an excellent paring with the upcoming D600 entry-level full frame camera. Using a variable aperture, the lens can be made smaller and lighter, while the AF-S internal focus motor provides quiet operation for video as well as VR image stabilization. Nikon will use the affordable lens option if they combine a kit lens with the camera.

Similar lenses were disclosed in a 2011 patent application filed in Japan, JP,2011-221421,A. The patent application included a 24-70mm f/3.5-4.5 full frame lens and various alternate configurations including 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 and 28-100mm f3.5-4.5. The new lens could be announced as soon as June 15, 2012. The D600 announcement is not expected to be made at the same time as this new lens, however the official Nikon D600 announcement is expected by the end of Summer 2012.

The Nikon D600 leaks keep flowing, another sign that its announcement may be very soon. Nikon Rumors reports some additional specifications about the upcoming full-frame D600 DSLR, including some interesting tidbits about its features, most notably: it will have a 24.7MP sensor, it will include an internal auto focus motor, and it may have some weather sealing, and will have 100% viewfinder. Additional positive signs are that it will have a full set of video features: HDMI output, full 1080p HD video in 24, 25 and 30 fps, and 720p 25,30,50,60 fps. It will have the same 3.2-inch LCD as the D800 and D4 with automatic brightness adjustment.

The auto focus system will be a 39-point array with an option for 11-points for faster operation when speed is critical. Nine of the focus points are cross type. It also will have face detection such as the D4 and D800. The exposure compensation has a range of +/- 5EV.

This camera sounds like it will be the proper successor to the D700, packing an increased resolution, ISO range (100-6400 expandable to 50-25,600), 5fps frame rate, and slightly smaller and lighter size and weight of 760g (850g with battery and memory card).

There is still no firm indication of price, but the range of $1500 to $2000 is mentioned. It is hard to believe all these features could be put in a $1500 camera, and our thoughts are that it will most likely fall around $2000. Currently, the D700 sells at $2199, and it unlikely that the D600 would be price too far below that.

As for an announcement, there are some European dealers who have been invited to an event in Casablanca on May 28, 2012. A Monday announcement would be slightly unusual, however given time zone differences, it may make sense. Historically, Nikon has announced new products on a Tuesday.

More information about the upcoming Nikon D600 full frame camera have surfaced. Nikon Rumors reports today some additional information about the new entry-level FX DSLR from Nikon. The D600 is poised to create a new market segment, an affordable camera capable of professional levels of image quality.

The most interesting aspect of the D600 will be its price. While other full frame cameras start around $3000 on introduction, the D600 will be priced competitively perhaps as low as $1600 at introduction. This gives current DX users an easy upgrade path to the FX realm.

Incorporating the Sony 24MP Exmor image sensor, the Nikon D600 will provide double the resolution of the current D700. It will be capable of 5fps continuous shooting, equalling the D700.

To accomodate those with DX lenses, the D600 will offer a DX crop shooting mode with 12MP resolution. New FX lenses are expected to be announced with the D600, including a 24-70mm variable aperture zoom. Along with the current 28-300mm and 24-120mm lenses, Nikon may also release a 70-200mm f4 and 16-35mm variable aperture lens.

The autofocus system will be a new system with 39 AF points, switchable to 11 points, and will likely use face detection for perfect focus on portraits. Internal photo retouching, and wifi support through an external adapter WU-1 as well as EyeFi cards will be supported. Dual SD card slots will allow extended shooting and backup options.

Flas sync will be offered with 1/250 sec speed. User programmabke settings banks U1 and U2 similar to the D7000 allow for personalized customization.

The new Nikon D600 will offer a tremendous level of performance at a new price level and is set to create new demand in full frame photogrqphy. It is expected to be announced late summer 2012 with release by early fall 2012.

• Nikon D600 Specifications

Rumors of the Nikon D600, a new entry level FX camera, have surfaced. The upcoming D600 is set to be an affordable full-frame camera intended for advanced amateurs and photography enthusiasts. The new model will sit below the 36MP D800 announced February 2012 and will be more of a replacement for the current D700. The D600 will be announced and released sometime in Summer 2012. It offers a moderate resolution perhaps 18MP if it uses the same sensor as the D4.

Internet forums and blogs are abuzz with the rumor of the D600, first announced by Nikon Rumors on April 25, 2012. The new D600 may include features such as built-in GPS and the ability to use a WiFi adapter such as the D3200. There will be an optional battery grip available.

The D600 will feature a similar size and profile to the D800, with an ergonomic layout and modern Nikon styling cues. It will likely share some of the features of the D7000 such as dual SD card slots and built-in timelapse.

Because the D600 is aimed at current Nikon DX shooters, it will accommodate all Dx lenses with an auto-crop feature. It will also have built-in RAW editing capabilities. Expect it to share many of the build features as the D7000, such as magnesium alloy body and some weather sealing. It will not be as strong as a full-time pro body like the D4, but it will withstand daily use.

Unlike the current video-less D700, the D600 will feature HD video features including 1080p at 24/25/30 as well as 60fps. Expect the price to fall in line with current D700 prices, somewhere around $1800 to $2000.

A new full-frame entry level camera makes perfect sense from Nikon. They currently have several consumer grade full frame zoom lenses that would work well with an amateur FX camera, including the 28-300mm and 24-120mm. Recently announced prime lenses such as the 85mm 1.8G and 28mm 1.8G would make a great match for those seeking outstanding image quality on a budget.