Here is a quick comparison between Nikon D600 and D800 full frame DSLR cameras based on the specifications listed on Nikon’s website:
| Nikon D600 | Nikon D800 | |
| Effective Pixels | 24.3million | 36.3million |
| Sensor Size | 35.9mmx24.0mm | 35.9mmx24mm |
| Image Sensor Format | FX | FX |
| File Format Still Images | JPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal Quality JPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant with fine (approx 1:4), Normal (approx 1:8) or Basic (approx 1:16) Compression NEF (RAW): Lossless Compressed, Compressed or Uncompressed 12 or 14 bit TIFF (RGB) |
JPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant with fine (approx 1:4), Normal (approx 1:8) or Basic (approx 1:16) Compression NEF (RAW): lossless compressed 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed or uncompressed TIFF (RGB) JPEG: JPEG-Baseline-Compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal Quality |
| Picture Control | Landscape Monochrome Neutral Portrait Standard User-customizable Settings Vivid |
Landscape Monochrome Neutral Portrait Standard User-customizable Settings Vivid |
| Storage Media | SD SDHC SDXC |
CompactFlash© (CF) (Type I, compliant with UDMA) SD SDHC SDXC |
| Card Slot | 2 Secure Digital (SD) | 1 CompactFlash© (CF) card and 1 Secure Digital (SD) card |
| Viewfinder Frame Coverage | FX (36×24):100% Horizontal and 100% VerticalApprox. DX (24×16):97% Horizontal and 97% VerticalApprox. |
FX (36×24):100% Horizontal and 100% VerticalApprox. 1.2x (30×20):97% Horizontal and 97% VerticalApprox. DX (24×16):97% Horizontal and 97% VerticalApprox. 5:4 (30×24):97% Horizontal and 97% VerticalApprox. |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.70xApprox. | 0.70xApprox. |
| Viewfinder Eyepoint | 20.6mm (-1.0m¯¹) | 19.5 (-1.0¯¹) |
| Lens Compatibility at a Glance*** | AF-S or AF lenses fully compatible Metering with AI lenses |
AF-S or AF lenses fully compatible Metering with AI lenses |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000sec. | 1/8000sec. |
| Slowest Shutter Speed | 30sec. | 30sec. |
| Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution | 5.5frames per second | 4frames per second |
| Exposure Compensation | ±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV | ±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV |
| Exposure Bracketing | 2 or 3 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 or 2 EV | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV |
| Mirror Lock Up | Yes | Yes |
| ISO Sensitivity | ISO100-6400 Lo-1 (ISO 50) Hi-1 (ISO 12,800) Hi-2 (ISO 25,600) |
ISO100-6400 Lo-1 (ISO 50) Hi-1 (ISO 12,800) Hi-2 (ISO 25,600) |
| Dynamic AF Mode | Number of AF points: 9, 21, 39 and 39 (3D-tracking) | Number of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 (3D-tracking) |
| Auto-area AF Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Modes | Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A) Continuous-servo (AF-C) Face-Priority AF available in Live View only and D-Movie only Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder Normal area Single-servo AF (AF-S) Wide area |
Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A) Continuous-servo (AF-C) Face-Priority AF available in Live View only and D-Movie only Full-time Servo (AF-A) available in Live View only Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder Normal area Single-servo AF (AF-S) Wide area |
| Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points | 39 | 51 |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Bracketing | 2 to 3 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 or 2 EV | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV |
| Top FP High Speed Sync | Up to1/4000 | Up to1/8000 |
| Flash Sync Modes | Front-curtain sync (normal) Rear-curtain sync Red-Eye reduction Red-Eye reduction with slow sync Slow sync |
Front-curtain sync (normal) Rear-curtain sync Red-Eye reduction Red-Eye reduction with slow sync Slow sync |
| Flash Compensation | -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV | -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV |
| Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) | CLS Supported | CLS Supported |
| White Balance | Auto Choose color temperature (2500K–10000K) Cloudy Direct Sunlight Flash Fluorescent (7 types) Incandescent Preset manual (up to 4 values can be stored) Shade |
Auto (2 types) Choose color temperature (2500K–10000K) Cloudy Direct Sunlight Flash Fluorescent (7 types) Incandescent Preset manual (up to 4 values can be stored) Shade |
| White Balance Bracketing | 2 or 3 exposures | 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3 EV |
| Live View Shooting | Photography Live View Mode Movie Live View Mode |
Photography Live View Mode Movie Live View Mode |
| Movie | HD 1,920×1,080 / 30 fps HD 1,920×1,080 / 25 fps HD 1,920×1,080 / 24 fps HD 1,280×720 / 60 fps HD 1,280×720 / 50 fps HD 1,280×720 / 30 fps HD 1,280×720 / 25 fps |
HD 1,920×1,080 / 30 fps HD 1,920×1,080 / 24 fps HD 1,280×720 / 30 fps HD 1,280×720 / 24 fps HD 1,280×720 / 60 fps |
| Movie Audio | Built-in microphone, monaural External stereo microphone (optional) |
Built-in microphone, monaural External stereo microphone (optional) |
| Monitor Size | 3.2in. diagonal | 3.2in. diagonal |
| Monitor Resolution | 921,000Dots | 921,000Dots |
| Monitor Type | Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD | Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD |
| Playback Functions | Auto Image Rotation Full-Frame and Thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images or calendar) Highlights Histogram Display Image Comment Movie Playback Movie Slideshow Playback with Zoom Slideshow |
Auto Image Rotation Full-Frame and Thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images or calendar) Histogram Display Image Comment Movie Playback Movie Slideshow Playback with Zoom Slideshow Highlights |
| In-Camera Image Editing | Color Balance Color Outline Color Sketch D-Lighting Distortion Control Edit Movie Filter Effects Fisheye Image Overlay Miniature Effect Monochrome NEF (RAW) Processing Perspective Control Quick Retouch Red-Eye Correction Resize Selective Color Side-by-Side Comparison Straighten Trim |
Color Outline Color Sketch D-Lighting Distortion Control Edit Movie Filter Effects Fisheye Image Overlay Miniature Effect Monochrome NEF (RAW) Processing Perspective Control Quick Retouch Red-Eye Correction Resize Selective Color Side-by-Side Comparison Straighten Trim Color Balance |
| GPS | GP-1 GPS unit GP-1A GPS unit |
GP-1 GPS unit |
| Battery / Batteries | EN-EL15 Lithium-ion Battery | EN-EL15 Lithium-ion Battery |
| Battery Life (shots per charge) | 900shots per charge (Battery Life) (CIPA) | 900shots per charge (Battery Life) (CIPA) |
| AC Adapter | EH-5b AC Adapter Requires EP-5B Power Supply Connector |
EH-5b AC Adapter Requires EP-5B Power Supply Connector |
| Approx. Dimensions | Width:5.6in.(141mm) Height:4.4in.(113mm) Depth:3.2in.(82mm) |
Width:5.7in.(144.78mm) Height:4.8in.(121.92mm) Depth:3.2in.(81.28mm) |
| Approx. Weight | 26.8oz.(760g)camera body only | 31.7oz.(900g)camera body only |
| Price (body only) | $2,099.95 | $2,999.95 |
Update: here is another size comparison between the D7000, D600 and the D800 (thanks Ron):
