Nikon’s new Canon killer?

Posted on 14 September 2012

For all you Nikon shooters out there, you’ll be really excited to see the latest press release from Nikon regarding the new Nikon D600 (see below). Reading through the release I can’t help but think that not only will this camera give Canon a real run for its money, but it couldn’t look like a better option for travel and wildlife shooters. Small, light and extremely powerful. I can’t wait to get my hands on a test version.

Check out this documentary, shot entirely on a D600.

NIKON – CHASING THE LIGHT from Florian Schulz on Vimeo.
Here is the release:

Equipped with an FX image sensor that was previously reserved for pro cameras, the surprisingly lightweight Nikon D600 will give many more photographers the chance to explore the full-frame advantage and take their photography to another level. From true wide-angle to super telephoto, this camera will enable the discovery of new worlds of photographic depth and detail, and fuel a passion for photography with vivid images that speak for themselves.

Exceptional depth and detail
Nikon’s newly developed 24.3-megapixel FX-format (full-frame) CMOS sensor delivers outstanding levels of detail and tonal range, even in low light situations.

From true wide-angle to super telephoto, the 14-bit A/D conversion and excellent signal-to-noise ratio enable images of remarkable quality with low noise and wide dynamic range even at high ISO sensitivities.

Offering an ISO range of 100–6400, extendable up to 25,600 (equivalent) and down to 50 (equivalent), low light capability is superb. The camera’s intelligent noise reduction systems manage noise without sacrificing fine details, allowing superb flexibility under all lighting conditions: images are crisp and clean, even at higher ISO settings.

EXPEED 3 image processing
Equipped with the same state-of-the-art EXPEED 3 image-processing engine as Nikon’s flagship D4, the Nikon D600 makes light work of data-rich tasks without sacrificing speed and quality.

16-bit image processing offers richer colours and tones than ever before, delivering smooth gradations with abundant detail and tone all the way up the scale to pure white, even when shooting in JPEG.

Highly sensitive autofocus system
The Nikon D600 enables superior subject acquisition in any light thanks to Nikon’s Multi-CAM4800 39-point AF system that boasts AF sensitivity inherited from the flagship D4.

Compatible with lenses up to f/8 combined open aperture and sensitive down to -1 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F), sharp shots are possible even in challenging light conditions. A variety of AF-modes such as Dynamic-area AF and 3D-tracking maintain focus on even the smallest subjects, however unpredictable their movements may be.

Broadcast quality video
Based on the same technology as Nikon’s acclaimed D800, the Nikon D600’s Multi-area D-Movie offers all the flexibility required for photographers who want to shoot video. A wide variety of movie applications, a comprehensive variety of frame rates and convenient custom controls, which enable full control over live view operation when filming, combine to ensure large format movie shooting at its best.

Frame rates: Full HD (1080p) movies can be recorded in 30p, 25p and 24p, with 60p, 50p and 25p options at 720p. Full HD movie clips can be up to approx. 29 minutes 59 seconds long.

Multi-area mode: Full HD (1080p) recording is possible in both FX- and DX-based formats, enabling exceptional freedom of expression.

High-fidelity audio control: with the Nikon D600 movies sound as good as they look. A microphone jack allows use of an external stereo microphone for crisp sound recording and there is an audio out for external headphones.

Uncompressed HDMI output: the Nikon D600 offers the possibility to output an uncompressed live video stream at 1080p to external recorders, and output will automatically drop to 1080i if use of an external monitor is detected. The uncompressed data is output at the designated image size and frame rate, and is clean of the information overlay that can be simultaneously displayed on the camera’s TFT monitor.

Advanced scene recognition with 2,016-pixel RGB sensor
The Nikon D600’s Advanced Scene Recognition System incorporates Nikon’s renowned 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor that meticulously analyzes each scene for outstanding accuracy. It can detect human faces with startling exactness through the optical viewfinder, and recognize a scene’s colours and brightness with unprecedented precision.

This level of detailed scene analysis is also utilized to support more accurate autofocus, auto exposure and i-TTL flash exposure results in a diverse range of compositional and lighting situations. For example, 3D-subject tracking is particularly improved when shooting smaller subjects.

Implementing Nikon’s highly-acclaimed Multi-CAM4800 AF system —with individually selectable or configurable 9-, 21- and 39-point coverage settings — the autofocus sensor module and algorithms have been re-engineered to significantly improve low light acquisition sensitivity capabilities to be compatible with a combined aperture up to f/8 with detection down to -1 EV (ISO, 20°C/68°F).

Simplified selection of AF modes such as AF-A, AF-S and AF-C is now possible without taking your eye away from the viewfinder.

Full frame mobility
The surprisingly lightweight Nikon D600 is Nikon’s first full-frame camera to boast such a compact build. Combined with advanced options for image transfer, it offers the freedom to capture, and share, the full perspective from anywhere.

Compact, light and durable: built to withstand severe conditions, the Nikon D600 boasts magnesium alloy top and rear covers and weighs only 760 g (without battery). Weather-sealed to the same degree as Nikon’s professional D800 SLR, it offers enhanced resistance to moisture and dust.

Efficient power management: a re-working of the D800’s circuits now enables approx. 900 shots of still image shooting or approx. 60 min. of movie live view . All on one charge of a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15.
Storage media: high-speed dual SD-card slots support SDXC and UHS-I memory cards.
Data transfer: the Nikon D600 allows high-speed data transfer with Hi-Speed USB and wireless image transfer with the optional WU-1b Mobile Adapter.

Responsive and intuitive
Made to fuel passion for photography in any situation, the Nikon D600’s fast response, reliable operation and conveniently placed buttons and controls enable smooth, comfortable handling and the flexibility to respond quickly to even unexpected shooting opportunities.

Fast response: start-up is approx. 0.13 seconds , shutter release time lag is minimized to approx. 0.052 seconds , with continuous approx. 5.5 fps capability in FX- and DX-format.

High-precision, high-durability shutter: the shutter unit has been tested to 150,000 cycles of release to prove durability and precision. Boasts a speed range of 1/4000 to 30s; features an intelligent self-diagnostic shutter monitor and a drive unit designed to reduce the demand on power when the shutter is raised for extended periods during movie shooting.

Precision 8-cm (3.2-in.), approx. 921k-dot, wide-viewing-angle LCD monitor with automatic monitor brightness control: delivers bright, crisp image playback with wide colour reproduction capacity. LCD brightness is automatically adjusted according to the viewing environment.

Glass prism optical viewfinder: with approximately 100% frame coverage and 0.7x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0m-1).

Dual-axis electronic virtual horizon: offers accurate confirmation of level shooting by letting you check the LCD monitor, or the viewfinder, for both the camera’s position in relation to the horizontal plane and its pitch (forward or rear rotation).

Enhanced ergonomics: buttons and dials have been strategically laid out for fluid operation. Improvements around the shutter-release button mean your index finger can rest comfortably for longer periods of time, while the designated movie record button means you’re ready to trigger movie shooting in an instant. The camera also features dedicated buttons for ISO, White Balance, Image Quality, and bracketing.

In-camera creative tools
A variety of creative and practical in-camera tools such as HDR and filter effects help to make the most of every shooting opportunity and enable images to be perfected with ease.

Time-lapse shooting: Interval Timer Shooting enables the shutter to be triggered at preset intervals. Time Lapse Photography saves images as movie files that allow slow action to be viewed in fast playback, with playback rates from 24 to 36,000 times faster than normal.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) shoots one overexposed and one underexposed frame in a single shutter release. The range can be widened by up to 3 EV for different looks, full of saturation and tonal gradation, while the smoothness of the edge where the two exposures meet can be adjusted for a more natural appearance.

Active D-Lighting: Nikon’s Active D-Lighting automatically retains the details in both dark and bright areas for stunning images with natural contrast when shooting in high-contrast situations.

Picture Controls: customize the look of your stills and videos by fine-tuning parameters such as sharpness, saturation, and hue. Directly accessed via a dedicated button.

Scene modes: 19 scene modes optimize settings such as shutter speed, ISO and aperture for superior results every time. An ideal way to quickly capture perfect shots.

In-camera editing menus: include an array of useful features including options to correct red-eye and colour balance, as well as D-lighting, RAW processing and resize options. Filter effects include Skylight, Cross screen, Miniature, Colour outline, Colour sketch and Selective colour. Quick retouch options include distortion control, perspective control, straighten and Fisheye. There is also an edit movie feature that enables the start and end point of movie clips to be designated in order to save them more efficiently.

 






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