Nikon D4 vs Nikon D600

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

D4 compared with D600
NikonD4NikonD600
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2012September 2012
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions36 × 23.9 mm35.9 × 24 mm
Effective resolution16.2 MP24.3 MP
Largest image4928 × 32806016 × 4016
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–12800100–6400
Sensor detail16.6 million total pixels; FX, 1.2×, DX and 5:4 image areas; maximum cropped sizes 4096 × 2720, 3200 × 2128 and 4096 × 3280 respectively; sensor-cleaning systemNikon acknowledged excessive granular dust spots in some D600 images in March 2014 and then offered cleaning, shutter/related-part replacement and, after repeated unsuccessful servicing, replacement cameras; this historical notice does not establish present service eligibility. FX CMOS with 24.3 million effective and 24.7 million total pixels; Japan gives 24.26 million and 24.66 million respectively. Image Sensor Cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data; full FX 6016 × 4016 or DX crop 3936 × 2624
Image formats12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW with lossless compression, compression or no compression; TIFF RGB, JPEG and RAW plus JPEG12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, lossless-compressed or compressed; JPEG Fine/Normal/Basic with size-priority or optimal-quality compression; simultaneous RAW/JPEG; adjustable Picture Controls and in-camera NEF processing; no TIFF capture
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 50–204800; Auto ISOStandard ISO 100–6400 in one-third or half stops; Lo expansion down to ISO 50 and Hi expansion up to ISO 25600 equivalent; automatic sensitivity control
Image processorEXPEED 3; Advanced Scene Recognition SystemEXPEED 3
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst10 fps5.5 fps
Lens detailCompatible AF NIKKOR G/D lenses, subject to PC lens restrictions; body autofocus motor for compatible screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU AI lenses support aperture-priority/manual; non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses unsupported; DX lenses use the DX image areaNikon F mount with AF coupling and contacts, including body autofocus motor. Compatible G/D AF, other AF and AI-P lenses; non-CPU AI lenses support A/M with restrictions and registered lens data; DX lenses use DX crop. Non-AI, IX and F3AF excluded
AutofocusAdvanced Multi-CAM 3500FX; 51 points including 15 cross-type, with 11 points supporting f/8; detection to -2 EV. Single-point, dynamic 9/21/51, 3D tracking and auto-area; AF fine-tuning; separate landscape/portrait AF-point sub-selectorsNikon Multi-CAM4800 phase detection with 39 points, nine cross-type and seven f/8-compatible central points; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF fine-tuning, single-point, dynamic nine/21/39, 3D tracking and auto-area. Live view uses contrast AF with AF-S/AF-F and face/wide/normal/tracking areas
Shutter1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second; shutter tested to 400000 cyclesElectronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter, 1/4000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time via optional ML-L3; tested to 150000 cycles. X-sync 1/200 second, up to 1/250 with reduced flash range
Burst detailApproximately 10 fps with AF/AE tracking; 11 fps with focus and exposure fixed. Nikon's table lists 75 losslessly compressed 14-bit RAW images in FX under its specified 32GB XQD test conditions; the launch announcement's approximately 100 RAW claim uses compressed 12-bit files and Sony H-series XQDHigh-speed continuous approximately 5.5 fps; low-speed 1–5 fps; quiet single-frame, mirror-up, self-timer and optional infrared remote modes
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashNo built-in flash; hot shoe and threaded PC sync terminal; Nikon CLS with compatible external SpeedlightsBuilt-in pop-up i-TTL flash, guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C; commander for two remote flash groups, accessory shoe and compatible Auto FP Speedlights
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; 91000-pixel RGB metering with 3D Colour Matrix Metering III, centre-weighted and spot modes; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting and JPEG-only two-exposure HDRP/S/A/M, Auto and scene modes, U1/U2 presets; 2016-segment RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation, exposure/flash and white-balance bracketing; two-exposure HDR, multiple exposure, interval timer and dual-axis virtual horizon
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 30 fps1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Video detailH.264 MOV at Full HD 30p/25p/24p, 720p 60p/50p/30p/25p or 640 × 424 at 30p/25p; actual NTSC rates 29.97/23.976/59.94. FX, DX and approximately 2.7× native 1920 × 1080 crop modes; maximum clip 29 minutes 59 seconds or 20 minutes depending on quality/frame rate. Contrast-detection AF-S/AF-F; HDMI output, index marking and time-lapseFX- or DX-based 1920 × 1080 at 30p/25p/24p, 1280 × 720 at 60p/50p/30p/25p; MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and linear PCM audio; high quality up to 20 minutes, standard up to 29 min 59 s. Time-lapse movie creation and uncompressed HDMI output. Photography Blog sample caption says 1920 × 1280; own Nikon specification gives 1920 × 1080
AudioBuilt-in mono microphone; 3.5 mm stereo microphone input and headphone output; adjustable sensitivity; linear PCM; voice memos for photographsBuilt-in mono microphone; 3.5 mm external stereo microphone input with plug-in power and headphone output; adjustable recording sensitivity
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots921,000921,000
Touchscreen–No
Tilting screen–No
Display detailFixed TFT with 170° viewing angle and approximately 100% coverage; automatic brightness control. Nikon's global announcement gives approximately 921000 dots, while Japan rounds approximately 920000; dots count subpixelsFixed 3.2-inch TFT with approximately 921000 dots in US specification or 920000 in Japan; 170° viewing angle, 100% coverage and automatic brightness adjustment; BM-14 protective cover, top status LCD and live view
Viewfinder detailPentaprism; approximately 100% FX coverage, 97% 1.2×/DX, and 100% vertical/97% horizontal for 5:4; 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; grid and dual-axis virtual horizonPentaprism with approximately 100% FX or 97% DX coverage, 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity; eyepoint 20.6 mm US or 21 mm Japan; grid display and depth-of-field preview
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)2600 photographs900 photographs
Body weight1180 g760 g (better)
Release detailNikon Japan's surviving product page records sale on 15 March 2012; its original announcement explicitly revised the planned 16 February date on 7 February. Nikon's later global D4S announcement describes D4 as released in February 2012, so the date here uses the exact Japanese retail recordNikon Japan records actual first sale on 27 September 2012; global announcement dated 13 September 2012
Recording mediaOne XQD slot and one CompactFlash Type I UDMA slot; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG and card copying. Type II CompactFlash and Microdrive unsupportedTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots, UHS-I supported; overflow, backup or RAW/JPEG split recording and card-to-card copying
PortsHi-Speed USB, mini-HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets, RJ-45 Ethernet, ten-pin accessory terminal, PC sync and WT-5 expansion connectorHi-Speed USB, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone connections, accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 remote or GP-1/GP-1A GPS
Wireless connectionsNo integrated Wi-Fi or GPS; optional WT-5/WT-4 provides wireless network transfer. HTTP-server mode supports browser-based remote operation; GP-1 or MC-35 connects optional GPS equipmentOptional WU-1b Wi-Fi mobile adapter or ML-L3 infrared release; no built-in Wi-Fi or GPS
Battery life detailEN-EL18 rechargeable battery; Nikon USA rates approximately 2600 photographs under CIPA conditionsEN-EL15 lithium-ion battery, approximately 900 CIPA shots; optional MB-D14 takes one EN-EL15 or six AA batteries
ChargingExternal MH-26 charger; optional EH-6a adapter with EP-6 power connector in the original Japanese specification, while the surviving US specification lists EH-6bExternal MH-25 charger; optional EH-5b mains adapter with EP-5B connector
DimensionsApproximately 160 × 156.5 × 90.5 mmApproximately 141 × 113 × 82 mm
Weight detailApproximately 1180 g body only; 1340 g with battery and XQD card, excluding body cap and accessory-shoe coverApproximately 760 g body only; 850 g with battery and SD memory card, excluding body cap
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy body with dust and moisture resistance; integrated vertical grip and illuminated buttons; not a waterproof ratingMagnesium-alloy top and rear covers with dust/water-drop sealing in Nikon's announcement; Photo Review's description of a resin top conflicts with the maker
Colours–Black
In the boxEN-EL18 battery, MH-26 charger, UC-E15 USB cable, AN-DC7 strap, BF-1B body cap, BS-2 shoe cover, DK-17 eyepiece, BL-6 battery cover, USB clip, UF-2 stereo cable cover and ViewNX 2 CD-ROMEN-EL15, MH-25 charger, BS-1 shoe cover, DK-21 eyecup, BM-14 monitor cover, BF-1B body cap, DK-5 eyepiece cap, AN-DC8 strap, UC-E15 USB cable and ViewNX 2 CD-ROM (Japan body package)

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