D800 Jpeg vs D600 Jpeg, and some hands on testing from Koala

D600 Review.


KIN_7255 by kinhai, on Flickr

First Thoughts
After opening the box, I picked up the D600 and was surprised how solid the camera felt in my hands. Eventhough only the top and bottom plates are magnesium alloy, it certainly felt like it was metal all around.
In terms of weight, I then asked my Fiance to hold the D800, with a 24-70mm 2.8 lens, and then the D600 with the 24-70mm 2.8 lens. When I asked which one felt heavier, she proclaimed "meh" they are both the same.... heavy. lol. I guess that 100+grams dont really play too much of a factor.


Review from a semi-pro
When I started playing with the D600, I immediately noticed the extra "nipple" on top of the camera mode dial. (D7000 users would know what I am talking about). Apparently this was put in place so shooters dont accidently change camera modes..... To me it just makes it hard to flip back and forth between modes during a wedding or event. :P

The responsiveness of the AF system "seems" snappier. The IQ on the D600 seems to be much improved than the D7000, and I would say on par with the D800.... heck I would say it does an even better job than the D800 for when the speed matters... Although I have no way to scientifically prove this.... it just feels that way. *Update. DxO just came out with a sensor score for the D600, now placing it 2nd to the D800 in terms of ISO, Dynamic Range... etc.
Source: http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/New...-image-quality

Everything else seems to be on par with the D7000, albeit and beefed up, steroid induced version. The pics look clean on the 100% viewfinder....
See for yourself.... below I have attached the jpeg test shots between the D600, and the D800. The ISO ranges I used were 800, 1600 3200,6400, 10153 (some weird number), and 25600. Compare them for yourself.

All Tests were done using a Tripod, using the 24-70mm f2.8 lens. Jpeg is on "NORM" mode for both the D600 and the D800. (looking at the 2 pictures... it seems the matrix mode between the D600 and the D800 are 1/3 of a stop off...)

ISO 800
D600
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001290483/
D800
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001277804/

ISO 1600
D600
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001288190/
D800
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001273649/

ISO 3200
D600
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001285721/
D800
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001269472/

ISO 6400
D600
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001283611/
D800
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001263759/

ISO 10159
D600
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001281794/
D800
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001259030/

ISO 25600
D600
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001279613/
D800
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15640072@N03/8001247425/


Conclusion
I am very glad I sold my 2nd D800, and replaced it with this D600. It gives me more versatility when I need to shoot faster, and the image quality speaks for itself. Highly Recommended!!