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Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Nikon D600 front
Portability
56
Imaging
69
Features
79
Overall
73

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300S
Nikon D600
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 850g - 141 x 113 x 82mm
  • Released November 2012
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D300S
  • Updated by Nikon D610
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Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are manufactured by Nikon. The image resolution of the D500 (21MP) and the D600 (24MP) is relatively comparable but the D500 (APS-C) and D600 (Full frame) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The D500 was announced 3 years later than the D600 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the D500 grades against the D600 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Nikon D600

 D500 D600 
ReleasedJanuary 2016November 2012More recent by 39 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k921kClearer screen (+1438k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon D600 over the Nikon D500

 D600 D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Nikon D600

 D500 D600 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D500 comes with external dimensions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) and the Nikon D600 has measurements of 141mm x 113mm x 82mm (5.6" x 4.4" x 3.2") having a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the D500 against the D600.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and D600 is 56 and 56 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements only by going through specifications. The photograph below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D500 and D600.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The D500 using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Nikon D600 will provide extra detail with its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger D500 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon D600 Portrait photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
decent MP (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
81
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography details
Nikon D600 Street photography details
68
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
offers touch focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
60
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography details
Nikon D600 Sports photography details
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
decent MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery power (1,240 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
70
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.5 fps)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D500
Travel photography with Nikon D600
68
good battery power (1,240 per charge)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
decent MP (21 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
environment proof
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography information
Nikon D600 Landscape photography information
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
decent MP (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
good battery power (1,240 per charge)
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D500
Vlogging with Nikon D600
31
touch screen
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
30
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic port
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Nikon D500 vs Nikon D600 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Nikon D600
 Nikon D500Nikon D600
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D500 Nikon D600
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-01-05 2012-11-13
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5 Expeed 3
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 5568 x 3712 6016 x 4016
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 1640000 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 153 39
Cross type focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Number of lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 2,359 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 5.5 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860g (1.90 lb) 850g (1.87 lb)
Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 141 x 113 x 82mm (5.6" x 4.4" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 84 94
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 14.2
DXO Low light rating 1324 2980
Other
Battery life 1240 shots 900 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots
Storage slots 2 2
Retail price $1,497 $1,900