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Nikon D600 vs Nikon D780

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD600NikonD780
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2012January 2020
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSBackside-illuminated CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 24 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution24.3 MP24.5 MP
Largest image6016 × 40166048 × 4024
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–6400100–51200
Sensor detailNikon 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 × 262425.28 million total pixels; sensor cleaning and image-dust-off reference data
Image formats12-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 capture12/14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or ordinary compression; JPEG and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detailStandard 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 controlExpandable to equivalent ISO 50–204800; Auto ISO available
Image processorEXPEED 3EXPEED 6
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst5.5 fps12 fps
Lens detailNikon 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 excludedF-mount G/E/D, supported AF, P and AI non-CPU lenses with restrictions; DX lenses use a crop; non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses unsupported
AutofocusNikon 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 areasViewfinder Advanced Multi-CAM 3500II phase detection with 51 points, 15 cross-type and 11 supporting f/8. Live-view hybrid phase/contrast detection provides 273 FX still-image single-point positions and eye detection. UK/Japan sensitivity −3 EV viewfinder, −5 EV live view or −7 EV low-light AF under maker conditions; US launch prose's −4 EV viewfinder claim conflicts with exact specs.
ShutterElectronically 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 rangeMechanical, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutters; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; manual-mode extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 second with compatible Auto FP support.
Burst detailHigh-speed continuous approximately 5.5 fps; low-speed 1–5 fps; quiet single-frame, mirror-up, self-timer and optional infrared remote modesUp to 7 fps through the optical viewfinder; silent live view up to 12 fps with 12-bit RAW or 8 fps with 14-bit RAW. Low-speed 1–6 fps viewfinder or 1–3 fps live view; quiet continuous 3 fps. Reduced-resolution movie-frame still captures at up to 120 fps are separate from full-resolution continuous shooting.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical VR depends on the attached lens; electronic movie VR available
FlashBuilt-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 SpeedlightsNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights; optional AS-15 provides a flash-sync terminal
Exposure controlsP/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 horizonAuto, P/S/A/M, effects and U1/U2 settings; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation; 180K-pixel RGB viewfinder metering sensor
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 30 fps3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps
Video detailFX- 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 × 1080UHD 3840 × 2160 at 29.97/25/23.976p without extra FX crop, oversampled from 6K sensor data; Full HD up to 119.88p and separate silent slow-motion modes. H.264 MOV/MP4; limit 29 minutes 59 seconds. 10-bit N-Log and HLG require an external HDMI recorder and cannot simultaneously record that output to the camera card. UK prose's DX 50/60p statement does not mean UHD 50/60p; exact maker UHD table tops out at 30p.
AudioBuilt-in mono microphone; 3.5 mm external stereo microphone input with plug-in power and headphone output; adjustable recording sensitivityBuilt-in stereo microphones, external 3.5 mm microphone input and headphone output; PCM or AAC depending on file format; microphone attenuator
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots921,0002,359,000
TouchscreenNoYes
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed 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 viewApproximately 100% coverage, 170° viewing angle and vertical tilt; maker UK states 2359K dots, Japan rounds to approximately 2.36 million; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentaprism 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 previewPentaprism, approximately 100% FX coverage, 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 21 mm eyepoint and −3 to +1 dioptre adjustment
Connections and design
Wi-Fi–Yes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)900 photographs2260 photographs
Body weight760 g755 g
Release detailNikon Japan records actual first sale on 27 September 2012; global announcement dated 13 September 2012Nikon US announced on 6 January 2020 and specified availability in late January; global announcement dated 7 January. Main uses the confirmed month without inferring a UK retail day.
Recording mediaTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots, UHS-I supported; overflow, backup or RAW/JPEG split recording and card-to-card copyingTwo UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copying
PortsHi-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 GPSUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, accessory terminal for MC-DC2; optional WT-7 provides network connectivity
Wireless connectionsOptional WU-1b Wi-Fi mobile adapter or ML-L3 infrared release; no built-in Wi-Fi or GPSWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.2; SnapBridge
Battery life detailEN-EL15 lithium-ion battery, approximately 900 CIPA shots; optional MB-D14 takes one EN-EL15 or six AA batteriesEN-EL15b; approximately 2260 CIPA single-frame shots or 4570 shots under Nikon's separate continuous-shooting test; approximately 95 minutes of movie recording. EN-EL15a/15 compatibility with restrictions; EN-EL15c may be supplied.
ChargingExternal MH-25 charger; optional EH-5b mains adapter with EP-5B connectorIn-camera charging with EN-EL15b and optional EH-7P; external MH-25a charger. Optional AC adapter and EP-5B power connector.
DimensionsApproximately 141 × 113 × 82 mmApproximately 143.5 × 115.5 × 76 mm
Weight detailApproximately 760 g body only; 850 g with battery and SD memory card, excluding body capApproximately 755 g body only or 840 g including battery and SD card, excluding body cap
MaterialsMagnesium-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 makerWeather-sealed magnesium alloy construction; maker operating range 0–40°C
ColoursBlack–
In the boxEN-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)EN-EL15-series battery, MH-25a charger, UC-E24 USB cable, AN-DC21 strap, BF-1B body cap, DK-5 eyepiece cap and DK-31 eyecup; battery revision may vary

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