One of the most affordable full-frame DSLR cameras on the market, the new 24.3-megapixel Nikon D600 is also the smallest, though not quite the lightest. Resembling the D7000 and boasting many of the same features as the 36-megapixel D800, this more moderately priced camera uses a less sophisticated AF and Matrix system, but offers a similar feature set.
The 36 x 24mm CMOS sensor is much larger than the 23.6 x 15.8mm chip in a camera like the D7000 or D3200. Hence, the 24.3 million pixels are also large. That offers two benefits: broad dynamic range for great detail in highlight and shadow areas, as well as “clean” images, with less digital noise at high ISO levels.
Granted, the D600 requires an FX-format lens to make full-frame 24.3-megapixel images. A smaller DX-format lens will work fine in the camera’s APS-C Crop mode, but the images will be smaller, with 10.5-megapixel resolution.
This story was first published in the Australian Photography + Digital December 2012 issue.
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