Nikon D600 vs Olympus E-5: A Deep Dive into Two Advanced DSLRs for Every Photographer’s Journey

Choosing the right camera is a pivotal step in your creative journey. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic hobbyist, understanding how a camera performs across different disciplines directly impacts the results you achieve in the field. Today, we compare two notable advanced DSLR models - the Nikon D600 and the Olympus E-5. Each carved its own niche upon release, but which one aligns better with your photography needs, tastes, and workflow?

Having tested these cameras extensively across diverse photography scenarios and lab conditions, we bring you an expert, hands-on evaluation. Our goal: to demystify the tech specs, explore real-world performance, and deliver actionable advice for your next purchase decision.

Getting to Know the Players: Physicality, Build, and Handling

Before diving into sensor benchmarks and autofocus metrics, the first interaction with a camera is its size and ergonomics. This directly influences comfort during shoots, especially in extended sessions.

The Nikon D600 edges slightly in size and weight but remains very comparable to the Olympus E-5. Its 3.2-inch fixed screen offers a sharp 921k-dot display, whereas Olympus features a slightly smaller but fully articulated 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD, enhancing flexibility during unconventional shooting angles or video capture.

Ergonomically, the Nikon’s grip feels more substantial in hand, benefiting photographers with larger hands or those who shoot for hours on end. Both models emphasize rugged, weather-sealed construction, catering well to outdoor photographers needing durability against dust and moisture.

When observing the top control layout, the Nikon introduces a slightly more traditional DSLR design, with a clearly marked exposure compensation dial and dedicated ISO buttons, whereas the Olympus opts for a slightly streamlined setup.

For photographers who value quick access to critical settings for dynamic shooting environments - such as events or wildlife - the Nikon’s physical controls offer a marginally faster workflow. However, Olympus’ fully articulated screen is a boon for street or travel photographers looking for discretion and flexibility.

Sensor Technology and Imaging Performance: The Heart of the Matter

The conversation about image quality inevitably starts with sensor size, technology, and resolution. These factors dictate how much detail you capture, dynamic range breadth, and noise control in challenging lighting.

The Nikon D600 benefits from a full-frame sensor, offering a larger surface area to capture light and detail. This translates into superior low-light performance, higher dynamic range, and more subtle color gradations compared to Olympus’ smaller Four Thirds sensor.

Measured benchmarks confirm this:

• DXOMark Overall Score: Nikon D600 at 94, Olympus E-5 at 56.
• Color Depth: 25.1 bits vs 21.6 bits.
• Dynamic Range: 14.2 EV vs 10.5 EV.
• Low-Light ISO: 2980 vs 519 (score reflects noise handling at high ISO).

These technical results are consistent with what we see shooting in dim environments. The Nikon’s full-frame sensor captures cleaner images at ISO 3200, freeing you to push exposure without worrying about excessive grain. Meanwhile, the Olympus’ noise becomes more apparent beyond ISO 800.

For landscape photographers, resolution and dynamic range are crucial for rich, expandable RAW files that endure heavy post-processing. The Nikon D600 excels here, delivering crisp, noise-free images with excellent shadow recovery.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness: Catching the Moment

Modern photography often demands speed and accuracy in autofocus (AF), especially for wildlife, sports, and fast-paced events.

The Nikon D600’s 39-point AF system with 9 cross-type points offers stronger coverage and more precise tracking of moving subjects, backed by continuous AF during burst shots. The E-5’s 11 cross-type points work well but may struggle with fast irregular movements or erratic wildlife behavior, especially given the smaller sensor's narrower focus area.

We also notice the D600 benefits from superior live view autofocus speed and greater overall responsiveness. The Olympus’ AF performs admirably indoors or for portraits but generally trails behind when action picking is required.

Handling Different Photography Genres: Strengths and Considerations

Let’s break down how these cameras perform in each photography genre based on our extensive testing.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin Tones and Eye Detection

The Nikon D600’s full-frame sensor provides exquisite control over depth of field, creating the buttery smooth bokeh that portrait photographers strive for. The lens ecosystem with Nikon F mount includes dozens of prime and zoom lenses perfect for flattering focal lengths (85mm, 105mm, 135mm).

Olympus’ smaller Four Thirds sensor and higher crop factor (~2.1x) mean longer effective focal lengths but less natural background separation. However, the E-5’s built-in sensor stabilization helps maximize sharpness, especially in portrait close-ups.

In practice: The Nikon delivers crisper skin textures and more natural colors, while the Olympus produces usable portraits but with less subject-background separation.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Resistance

The Nikon’s higher resolution and wider dynamic range provide enhanced detail retention from shadows to highlights - critical for landscapes with sunlit skies and shadowed foregrounds. Nikon’s weather sealing assures reliability in damp or dusty field conditions.

The Olympus E-5, while also weather-sealed, has a more compact sensor that limits resolution and dynamic range, potentially requiring more careful exposure bracketing.

Wildlife Photography: AF Speed, Telephoto Reach, and Burst Rates

Olympus benefits from the crop factor giving an effective telephoto reach advantage. A 300mm lens behaves like a 630mm equivalent on the E-5, saving bulk and cost for wildlife shooters.

However, the Nikon’s autofocus speed, tracking prowess, and burst rate of 5.5 fps produce a higher keeper ratio during action.

Sports Photography: Tracking, Low Light, Frame Rates

The Nikon’s advanced AF and full-frame sensor excel in dim sports arenas, producing usable images at ISO 3200–6400 with less noise. The slightly faster burst rate helps capture peak action.

Olympus’ limited AF points and smaller sensor make it less suited for tricky indoor sports.

Street Photography: Discreteness, Portability, and Low Light

Despite similar weight, Olympus’ fully articulating screen and compact lenses make for a more stealthy street setup. Crucially, the E-5 has quieter shutter sounds.

Yet, Nikon’s superior low-light ISO capacity is a plus for night street scenes.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focusing

Olympus’ in-body image stabilization paired with compatible lenses aids macros handheld, counterbalancing the lower megapixel count with sharpness. Nikon’s sensor and lens variety offer more shooting potential but often require tripods for critical focus.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Nikon D600’s clean high ISO range and broad dynamic range place it ahead in capturing stars and nightscapes. Olympus’ limited sensor area restricts noise performance.

Video Capabilities: Recording Specs and Stabilization

Nikon offers full HD recording at up to 30 fps with external mic and headphone jacks for professional audio monitoring. Olympus restricts to HD 720p with no headphone jack but includes sensor image stabilization for steadier handheld video.

If video is a priority, Nikon’s combination of resolution and audio inputs make it more appealing.

Travel Photography: Size, Versatility, and Battery Life

Both cameras slide comfortably into a mid-sized DSLR category, but Olympus’ compact lens options and articulated screen tip the scale for travel convenience.

Battery life measures roughly 900 shots for Nikon’s EN-EL15 battery compared to 870 shots on Olympus’ BLM-5, giving slight advantage to Nikon for extended trips.

Professional Work: File Formats, Workflow, and Reliability

Both shoot in RAW for maximum editing flexibility. Nikon’s larger sensor files are more demanding but offer greater latitude. Compatibility with professional tethering software is stronger in Nikon’s ecosystem.

Olympus’ sturdy build and weather sealing ensure robust reliability; however, its more niche lens selection may constrain professional versatility.

User Interface, Connectivity, and Storage Options

Both cameras provide dual card slots, but Nikon supports two SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, which are more cost-effective and widely available. Olympus allows for CF/SD combos, offering flexible media.

Connectivity-wise, the Nikon D600 offers optional wireless modules and GPS, broadening remote control and geotagging capabilities. Olympus E-5 lacks built-in wireless or GPS, potentially limiting workflows that rely on mobile integration.

USB 2.0 and HDMI ports are standard on both.

Nikon’s LCD interface supplies slightly crisper imaging playback and familiar menu navigation, whereas Olympus’ HyperCrystal display provides excellent outdoor visibility with organic contrast.

Real-World Image Examples and Scores

We include side-by-side sample images illustrating the portrait skin tones, landscape dynamic range, low-light capabilities, and telephoto wildlife shots from both cameras to illustrate the points discussed.

Nikon D600 front Nikon D600 screen back Olympus E 5 front Olympus E 5 screen back

Our scoring summary from multiple standardized tests encapsulates the comprehensive performance evaluation.

Delving deeper, we break down scores by photography type, showcasing the Nikon’s advantage in most genres, balanced by Olympus’ strengths in stabilization and portability.

The Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Creative Path with Confidence

Both the Nikon D600 and Olympus E-5 are commendable cameras packed with features that serve passionate photographers well. Your choice depends largely on your shooting style, priorities, and lens investment.

The Nikon D600 shines with its full-frame sensor, robust autofocus, and professional video options - making it a workhorse for many genres demanding high image quality and versatility.

On the other hand, the Olympus E-5 offers an intelligently designed system with in-body stabilization and an articulated screen which appeals to street shooters, macro photographers, and travel dreamers seeking portability and creative flexibility.

We encourage you to handle both cameras in person, test their handling, and consider which optical lenses you prefer to build around. Add to that your specific subject preferences - whether portraits in soft natural light or fast-moving wildlife - and the decision becomes clearer.

Remember, the best camera is the one that inspires you to shoot more and evolve your craft. So go ahead, explore, experiment, and find the gear that propels your creative journey forward.

Want to explore these cameras further? Check availability at trusted retailers and look for kit options that include lenses suited to your genre. Also, consider investing in accessories like external flashes, reliable tripods, and quality memory cards to maximize your potential from day one.

Feel free to reach out with your questions or share your experiences with these models - it’s always inspiring to hear how different tools shape photography stories. Happy shooting!