Canon EOS 6D and Nikon D600
Nikon D800
Update: August 30, 2013:
Finally went with the Nikon D800
Well, after testing both the D600 and the D800. I decided to opt for the D800. I was able to return the D600 for my new D800 which I just got today. Because I am shooting primarily models in studio and interior location, I couldn’t ask for a better format than that offered by the D800. Although the D600 is amazing, the D800 allows me to crop after the fact with greater confidence as well as allowing me to choose several crop formats from the onset.
The output is absolutely astounding and the AF is ultra rapid to say the least. I have no problem either with the 4 fps High Speed shooting rate, which is more than enough for how I shoot. Will be using for my up and coming projects very shortly.
Oh and finally. The 5×4 crop format is amazing as it is so close to all of the magazine formats that I work with. I might need to shave off 1 to 2% but it is almost spot on for most of the magazines. Thus the camera become a very powerful 30+ megapixel powerhouse. It is like it is made for fashion magazines. Of course for horizontal landscape format, will change back to the Full Frame 24×36 mm format and get the full 36.3 megapixels.
Best
Ben
UPDATE July 28, 2013 from an earlier post in September 2012. And the winner is…I finally decided to go with the Nikon D600 Full Frame camera System. I just purchased the Nikon D600 camera and three lenses the 24-120 f4.0, 50 f1.8 G and 85 f1.8 G.
I used it for the first time for a professional shoot for ELLE Magazine, coming out this November.
The images on the D600 were absolutely mind boggling. The 85mm f1.8 lens has to be the sharpest lens I have ever used in my 25+ years as a Fashion Photographer.
I am in Love…Will discuss more in depth when time allows. I will no longer be using the Pentax system for my professional applications and only for travel and leisure purposes.
Below from the September 2012 original post:
I am seriously considering going to one of the above brands and as I consider digital a disposable medium, I will not spend a fortune on a camera that will become obsolete in a couple of years or so.
Nikon D600
I won’t go in to a major diatribe, as I haven’t tried them out as yet. I do want a Full Frame camera and as Pentax has yet to come out with one, I think it is time to look at another system.
Canon EOS 6D
So what are the differences? Which camera do I think I will embrace in the Full Frame 24x36mm format? Well, both are economy versions of their upscale brands, the Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MkIII.
Canon EOS 6D
They are both Full Frame highly capable cameras that would work famously for my applications, i.e. slow shooting studio or location productions.
Nikon D600
Nikon does have more focussing points and does have 4 megapixels more than the Canon. Canon is better in low lighting conditions and has mega support in the video arena.
Canon ESO 6D
Nikon D600
You may see the other parts by clicking in the screen frame for Part 2, Part 3, etc.
Let’s have a closer look at the specifications and discuss them a bit later…
Nikon D600 vs Canon 6D Specification Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon D600 | Canon 6D |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Resolution | 24.3 Million | 20.2 Million |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Size | 35.9×24.0mm | 35.8×23.9mm |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.96µ | 6.55µm |
| Dust Reduction / Sensor Cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Image Size | 6,016 x 4,016 | 5,472 x 3,648 |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 3 | DIGIC 5+ |
| Viewfinder Type | Pentaprism | Pentaprism |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 97% |
| Built-in Flash | Yes, with flash commander mode | No |
| Storage Media | 2x SD | 1x SD |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 5.5 FPS | 4.5 FPS |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 to 30 sec | 1/4000 to 30 sec |
| Shutter Durability | 150,000 cycles | 100,000 cycles |
| Exposure Metering Sensor | 2,016-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II | 63-zone dual-layer iFCL metering sensor |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Native ISO Sensitivity | ISO 100-6,400 | ISO 100-25,600 |
| Boosted ISO Sensitivity | ISO 50, ISO 12,800-25,600 | ISO 50, ISO 51,200, ISO 102,400 |
| Autofocus System | Multi-CAM 4800FX | 11-point AF with 1 cross-type sensor (center, sensitive down to -3EV) |
| AF Detection | Up to f/8 (center 7 AF points only) | Up to f/5.6 |
| Video Capability | Yes | Yes |
| Video Output | MOV, Compressed and Uncompressed | AVI, H.264/MPEG-4 in MOV Format |
| Video Maximum Resolution | 1920×1080 (1080p) @ 24p, 25p, 30p | 1920×1080 (1080p) @ 29.97p, 25p, 23.976p |
| Audio Recording | Built-in microphone External stereo microphone (optional) |
Built-in microphone External stereo microphone (optional) |
| LCD Size | 3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD | 3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD |
| LCD Resolution | 921,000 dots | 1,040,000 dots |
| HDR Support | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Functionality | Eye-Fi Compatible, WU-1B, UT-1 | Built-in Wi-Fi |
| Battery | EN-EL15 Lithium-ion Battery | LP-E6 Lithium-ion Battery |
| Battery Life | 900 shots (CIPA) | 980 shots |
| Weather Sealed Body | Yes | Yes |
| USB Version | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Weight (Body Only) | 26.8 oz. (760g) | 24 oz. (680g) |
| Dimensions | 141 x 113 x 82mm | 145 x 111 x 71mm |
| MSRP Price | $2,099 (as introduced) | $2,099 (as introduced) |
On paper the Nikon does seem to outshine the Canon on several fronts and I would be remiss if I didn’t give them both a serious workout before making my decision.
But for now it is looking that the Nikon may be the way to go. However, I really like the Canon 24-105 lens that it comes with in their package.
But then again I have heard that the Nikkor 24-85mm lens is a real keeper as well as the 24-120 VR G lens. I used the older version of the 24-85 on my brother’s D70 and it is an amazing kit lens. But then again, I also heard great things about the 24-120 Nikkor lens as well.
I really love the ergonomics of the Canon and find the look of the Nikon a bit plastic. I know it isn’t but it sure looks like it in my opinion. I do like the fact that the Canon sensor is only packing 20 megapixels thus more real estate per pixel which translates in to better noise performance, generally speaking.
The output samples I have seen from the Nikon look pretty amazing. It looks like the score right now is Nikon 55 vs Canon 45…Once I decide what I will do, I will post an update.
