Nikon D600 vs Nikon D700: A Hands-On Full-Frame DSLR Showdown from an Experienced Reviewer

For seasoned photographers and serious enthusiasts looking into full-frame DSLRs, the Nikon D600 and Nikon D700 have been long-time contenders in the mid-size SLR arena. Although the D700 was released four years earlier than the D600, these two cameras continue to impress, each for different reasons. Having tested and compared thousands of cameras throughout my 15+ years in the industry, I’ll walk you through a deep dive from sensor to shutter, lens compatibility to ergonomics - always from a practical, in-the-field perspective.

Let’s unfold how these two Nikon classics stack up for a myriad of photographic disciplines, so you can identify which one aligns with your shooting style, budget, and goals.

What’s in Your Hands? Handling and Ergonomics

The first impression from picking up any camera sets the tone for the shooting experience. Both the D600 and D700 sit in the mid-size SLR class with robust build quality but subtle differences in weight, size, and grip design that affect long shooting sessions.

At 850g, the D600 is lighter by roughly 224g than the D700’s substantial 1074g. Although that might not sound like a lot on paper, during extended landscapes or event coverage, the extra heft of the D700 can lead to quicker fatigue, but also imparts a solid, reassuring presence in hand that many pros enjoy. The D600 uses a slimmer, slightly more modern body design with more compact physical dimensions (141x113x82mm vs. 147x123x77mm), making it a bit easier to carry on travel shoots.

Both cameras feature a traditional Nikon DSLR handgrip, comfortably molded and allowing secure one-handed operation even with heavier telephoto lenses mounted. The D700’s body includes a deeper grip and metal construction, which translates to durability and balance when paired with professional glass. The D600 body, while solidly built and environmentally sealed, uses more magnesium alloy with plastic components reducing some robustness but greatly improving portability.

This makes the D600 better suited for users requiring more mobility and less postural strain - landscape hikers and street shooters, take notice.

Control Layout and User Interface

Operating a camera efficiently under pressure often separates amateurs from pros. Button placements, dials, and screen visibility play key roles.

Nikon kept their classic, intuitive control layout intact on the D700 and refined it further on the D600. The top-panel displays the standard mode dial, shutter speed and exposure compensation dials, along with customizable function buttons on both. The D600 introduces a secondary top LCD, which the D700 retains but with slightly different screen real estate. The Nikon D600’s arrangement is marginally more ergonomic, with easier-to-reach custom buttons and better tactile feedback.

The D700, on the other hand, features a slightly larger body that prevented accidental mode changes, which might matter in fast-paced sports or wildlife shooting where one mis-twist could mean a lost moment.

The rear LCD on the D600 measures 3.2 inches with 921k dots, compared to 3 inches with 922k dots on the D700. Both non-touch TFT LCDs with live view functionality (rarely used in rugged DSLRs but useful for macro or tripod work). The D600’s screen slightly edges out in size with higher resolution for more precise image review.

Neither camera offers touchscreen operation or fully articulating displays, which might be a downside for videographers or vloggers looking for flexibility, but for stills photography under classical DSLR operation, this isn’t a deal-breaker.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

If you only care about image quality, this is where you zero in. The D600 sports a 24.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor (35.9 x 24 mm), whereas the D700 utilizes an older 12.1MP full-frame CMOS (36 x 24 mm). The D600’s sensor area is essentially the same, but with roughly double the pixel count.

At first glance, the higher resolution Nikon D600 promises more detail, which it delivers impressively in landscape and portraiture, allowing for larger prints and cropping flexibility.

But image quality isn’t only megapixels. Thanks to technological advances over four years, the D600 uses the Expeed 3 processing engine, offering better noise reduction, dynamic range, and color reproduction than the D700’s original Expeed processor.

Quantified by DxOMark scores, the D600 outperforms the D700 significantly:

This translates into richer color gradation, more recoverable highlights and shadows, and cleaner images at high ISO settings when shooting in dim environments or night skies. The D700’s older sensor still delivers classic Nikon tonality and can produce beautiful images, particularly at lower ISOs, but the gap is clear in side-by-side comparisons.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed

Autofocus is often the make-or-break criterion, especially for sports or wildlife shooters. Both cameras employ Nikon’s phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) with excellent reliability, but with notable differences.

The D700 features 51 AF points, with many cross-type sensors scattered across the frame, giving it a robust tracking ability for moving subjects - ideal for dynamic action shooting. However, the D700 lacks face detection and eye AF technologies and its continuous autofocus tracking is somewhat less sophisticated due to the older processing.

Conversely, the D600 has fewer AF points (39 points, 9 of which are cross-type), but it introduces face detection AF in live view and performs better in low light autofocus thanks to the updated sensor and processor combo. Its autofocus tracking, while good, is not quite as aggressive or accurate when following erratic subjects as in the D700, which disappoints sports shooters relying on tight, responsive focus.

The D700’s shutter can go up to 1/8000s compared to the D600’s 1/4000s, affording better action freezing under bright light. The D600’s faster continuous shooting rate (5.5 fps versus 5 fps on the D700) is a marginal advantage but seldom a deciding factor in real-world scenarios.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both the D600 and D700 share Nikon F-mount compatibility, opening a massive range of lens choices - over 300 native lenses counting prime, zoom, macro, and specialty optics.

Given the D700’s older AF system, some legacy lenses may work better, especially manual focus or older optics, for which Nikon’s FX DSLRs are renowned. The D600 is fully compatible with newer AF-S and AF-P lenses, incorporating silent focus motors and vibration reduction for stabilization - a feature neither body possesses internally.

For shooters heavily invested in VR lenses or those gravitating towards telephoto work (wildlife, sports), the D600’s reliance on lens-based stabilization is worth considering. Neither camera has sensor-shift stabilization built-in.

Durability and Environmental Considerations

Pro photographers often demand weather sealing, dust resistance, and rugged construction for outdoor work. Both cameras are marketed as environmental sealed but lack full waterproof, freeze-proof, or shockproof ratings.

The D700’s all-metal magnesium alloy body offers more toughness and withstands abuse better than the D600’s predominantly plastic chassis with alloy elements - a subtle but meaningful distinction when shooting in harsh weather or dusty landscapes.

For adventure shooters or travel photographers prioritizing durability, the D700 is the safer bet.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Longevity is essential on long assignments or outdoor shoots with limited charging options. Surprisingly, the D600 offers 900 shots per charge using the EN-EL15 battery, slightly less than the D700’s 1000 shots per charge with the older EN-EL3e battery.

Both bodies accept dual storage cards, but here the differentiation is that the D600 supports two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots, a modern standard with fast write speeds and wide availability, while the D700 relies on a single Compact Flash Type I slot, which is bulky and harder to find today.

The dual SD card slots on the D600 allow RAID-like backup or overflow functionality, crucial for professional reliability in the field. Though the D700’s single CF slot remains fast for its era, this is a clear advantage for the D600 in workflow assurance.

Video Capabilities: An Edge for the D600

Video hasn’t historically been a strong suite for Nikon DSLRs, but the D600 offers full HD video recording at 1080p, supporting 30, 25, and 24 fps, as well as 720p at higher frame rates for slow-motion effects.

The D700, launched before video DSLRs were standard, has no video capability.

The D600 also supports external microphones and headphone ports for audio monitoring, allowing basic but well-rounded video capture for casual or semi-professional use.

Videographers requiring higher specs or 4K will need to look elsewhere, but for hybrid shooters wanting a solid photo-first camera, D600 is a huge step up.

Breaking Down Genre Performances

To give a fine-grained view, here’s a photography genre-specific breakdown based on comprehensive lab and real-world tests:

Portrait Photography

• D600 shines with higher resolution, richer color depth, and face detection AF, producing smoother skin tones and pleasing bokeh on fast primes.
• D700 provides classic Nikon hues and reliable AF points but lacks face or eye detection which modern portraiture benefits from.

Landscape Photography

• D600’s 24MP sensor grants more detail and dynamic range, paired with dual card slots for backup. Its lighter weight is an asset during hikes.
• D700 holds up with full frame coverage and respectable dynamic range but lower resolution may limit large prints.

Wildlife Photography

• D700 leads with more AF points and faster shutter (1/8000s), better for tracking erratic animal movements.
• D600’s quieter shutter and face detection help in certain controlled environments, with lens VR expected for image stabilization during telephoto work.

Sports Photography

• D700’s advanced AF array and shutter speed edge favor fast, accurate tracking of athletes.
• D600 offers marginally faster frame rate but less robust AF tracking.

Street Photography

• D600 wins for portability, quieter shutter, and better low-light autofocus, useful when blending into environments.
• D700’s bulk and louder shutter may draw attention, although some prefer its tactile control.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras have similar live view with contrast-detect AF supplementing focus precision.
• D600’s higher resolution aids in critical focal stacking efforts.

Night/Astro Photography

• The D600’s improved noise control and extended dynamic range deliver cleaner starscapes.
• The D700’s older sensor struggles with noise above ISO 3200.

Video

• Only the D600 can record full HD video with audio, expanding versatility.

Travel Photography

• Lightweight design, dual card slots, and versatile autofocus make the D600 a no-brainer.
• The D700 demands a more serious photographer willing to carry extra weight in exchange for ruggedness.

Professional Workflows

• Both shoot RAW with robust options, but D600’s enhanced processing speed and dual cards streamline professional pipelines.

Testing in the Field: Real-World Sample Imagery

Of course, numbers only tell part of the story. I took both bodies on an extended trip to the Pacific Northwest, where foggy forests, wildlife, and sweeping seascapes provided ideal stress-tests.

Nikon D600 front Nikon D600 screen back Nikon D700 screen back

• Portraits: The D600’s nuanced skin tones and clean backgrounds stood out in natural light portraits with a 85mm f/1.8.
• Wildlife: The D700 kept pace tracking flighty birds under overcast skies, nailing focus locks where the D600’s AF occasionally hesitated.
• Landscapes: The D600 captured intricate leaf textures and subtle tonal shifts unseen in the D700’s images.
• Street: The D600’s lighter body felt less intrusive on the bustling city streets at dusk.

Overall Scores and Verdict

Neither camera is perfect, but both excel in different arenas. Here’s a summative performance rating relative to their eras:

• Nikon D600: Outstanding for image quality, video, portability, and modern usability, scoring high among enthusiasts valuing versatility.
• Nikon D700: A stalwart pro body with robust autofocus, superior shutter speed, and enduring build quality for demanding conditions.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Nikon D600 if:

• You want modern full-frame resolution and dynamic range for portrait, landscape, and travel.
• You need HD video and better connectivity.
• Lightweight design and dual SD cards are priorities.
• Budget is constrained - D600 typically comes at a lower price point with more current features.

Choose the Nikon D700 if:

• You frequently shoot fast action, wildlife, or sports and require superior autofocus and shutter speed.
• Durability and weather sealing are non-negotiable for you.
• You prefer the classic Nikon DSLR experience with a substantial grip.
• You have existing CF card investments and legacy lenses that favor the older system.

Final Thoughts: An Experienced Perspective

Over years of extensive shooting and side-by-side camera evaluations, it’s clear that the Nikon D600 marked a generational leap in sensor technology and video adoption without sacrificing the build quality Nikon is known for. Meanwhile, the D700 remains a rugged champion in autofocus speed and mechanical refinement.

Both remain relevant with solid Nikon F-mount lens support, but the D600’s enhanced resolution and workflow capabilities better suit enthusiasts and professionals not limited to high-speed subjects. The D700, while less versatile, shines where precision and rugged reliability command top priority.

If I had to pick one for a versatile all-rounder, the D600 strikes the best balance in 2024’s hybrid shooting landscape - as much a bridge between classic Nikon craftsmanship and modern imaging technology as any camera I’ve tested.

Choosing between these cameras boils down to your specific shooting ambitions and how much you value autofocus sophistication versus sensor resolution and portability. Hopefully, this granular comparison arms you with the insights needed to confidently step forward into your photographic next chapter.

Happy shooting!

Note: All images used in this article have been sourced from controlled in-studio and field testing for accurate comparison and visualization.