Today Nikon announced the long-awaited and rumored D600. While I’ll let others discuss technical merits, I’ll focus primarily on how the D600’s pricing affects Nikon’s lineup. As you read my thoughts, keep in mind that I am approaching the Nikon D600 primarily as a wedding photographer who evaluates equipment from the point of view that every piece of gear must buy itself into my kit.
See Nikon D600 on-hands preview at DPReview.com
Many of us had hoped Nikon, in adopting the D7000 body form factor for a full frame camera, was aiming to produce an entry or affordable transition product made for those who have long desired the benefits of full frame without the willingness or ability to afford the fuller full frame price points. A lot of guessing and speculation led folks to – as it turns out, incorrectly – a price point below $2,000 USD, with the folk wisdom landing somewhere along $1,500-1,700 for body only. Today’s announced MSRP for the Nikon D600 dashes those hopes, at least for a little bit with hopes that maybe things will settle downward in a few months.
The announced $2,100 MSRP may also signal first, that Nikon will update the D300s after all, since that price range is still available, and it may indicate that in Nikon’s plan, the D600 is the much awaited D700 successor. Hopes that eventually Nikon would release a D4 sensor body in the D700’s old price range now seem tenuous. Nikon may keep the D4 sensor in the D4 only, or if it does release a D4 sensor in a lesser body, it will likely top the D800’s $3,000 MSRP, with lots of room between that point and the D4’s price.
In short, as we should have gotten used to by now with all things technological, we have a mixed story. A camera that promises to be great, but at a higher price than many of us wanted, and without all the features we had hoped for if we were waiting for that fabled “true” D700 successor featuring a sturdy pro body and the state-of-the-art full frame sensor.
Given this pricing, who will adopt this camera? Since I’m in the wedding industry, I’m wondering and asking whether wedding photographers would pick up this camera given the price vs. feature set. Opinions seem mixed, in particular with regards to the 39 point AF. One wonders also whether the D7000 body form factor will stand up to the rigors of in-the-field shooting, and whether the user interface will be different enough from the primary cameras wedding photographers carry as to make the D600’s use cumbersome.
It comes down to price, and getting a wedding photographer to pay this much for a backup camera that looks more entry-level and “non-professional” than the previous popular backup choice (the D700) may prove a hard sell.
Addendum: based on reaction in various Internet forums, it appears that reactions are mixed. Some experienced wedding photographers whom I respect are in fact planning to grab 1 or 2 D600 bodies. On the other hand, that DX enthusiast group that has been looking up to FX longingly is having reservations, many of them confirming that $2,100 is too much to pay for this type of camera. Nikon seems to have split the baby nearly perfectly, though, because the FX enthusiast crowd seems to be receiving the D600 very well at this price. Perhaps once the FX enthusiasts get their fill, and initial pent-up demand subsides, the D600′s price will dip below $2,000 USD. In my estimation, the DX crowd will start considering it once the price hovers close to $1,800. We’ll see how long it takes to get there.
Eduardo Suastegui is a Los Angeles, CA photographer, serving the cities of Whittier, Downey and surrounding areas with his wedding and fine art photography.
Peter Morgan
September 12th, 2012 at 22:56
Works out at over $3000 inc vat in uk!
Eduardo.1
September 13th, 2012 at 05:30
Wow, that is quite a bit, isn’t it?
Leslie Darwin
September 13th, 2012 at 11:17
I am looking for a camera for mainly studio work (product & food) and updating from a Fuji S5 pro. The D600 offers me nothing more than a Canon 5d Mk2 which I have been holding off from buying
The benefit of the Canon over this Nikon is I can shoot tethered which even the D800 cannot at this moment in time unless you want to pay out for Nikon software. Lightroom and Aperture will not connect to it.
I can buy the D600 in Hong Kong next month with the exchange rate giving me the price of £1242.00 but here in the UK being offered around the £2000 mark – body only. £200 more buys a D800!!
It is a no brainer!
Eduardo
September 13th, 2012 at 11:26
Hmm. I would think that in terms of image quality, the D600 would be light years ahead of the 5D MkII, in terms of resolution, low noise, dynamic range, etc. Then again if you’re shooting at base ISO with a fully lit studio, not so much. Your call.
Joe
September 13th, 2012 at 15:14
Your post absolutely hit the nail on the head. I’m a hobbyist with a D7000, 70-200/2.8 and a significant micro four thirds kit. $2100 is just too much for me. I’ll hang onto my D7000 and see if the price of the D600 ever comes down, besides I like the reach of the 70-200 on DX for baseball games. I understand that other groups may not balk at the price, but it’s definitely too rich for me. I was pretty sure I’d sell the D7000 and get the D600 at the original estimated price, but now I think I’ll wait to see Panasonic’s GH3 and 35-100/2.8. Many times we draw imaginary lines in our heads, and unfortunately a $2100 body crosses mine.
Jason
September 13th, 2012 at 17:43
In the UK it’s a pretty poor situation Nikon have gotten themselves in.
Jessops launch price for D600: £1955
Amazon price for D800: £2,249
A price differential of £294 for a much superior D800. I question the wisdom of those thinking of buying a D600 at all, who are willing to buy at launch price. In fact, there is not one reason to get the D600 over the D800 at current price levels.
Dave
November 4th, 2012 at 12:37
I used the D800 for a few months but ended up having to sell it because that resolution was just too much. I had to upgrade my memory cards as the cards I’d used with my D3s were not fast enough! I also had to buy more cards as those 70MB files were just eating my memory
I also had to upgrade my PC as editing those 70MB files requires a fair bit of power compared to the previous 12MB files.
The D800 is very much a specialist camera and not as usable in the real world as it should be. Nikon should have took the S-Raw from Canon but such is life!
In the end I decided to sell the D800 and stick with the D3s.
I recently bought the D600 and after using it in several professional applications now I’m happy to admit that I adore this camera.
Although smaller than the D800, it’s still a fair size, but light! I love that!
I shot a long wedding last week, 8am until midnight, and having the D600 around my neck was a breath of fresh air. It was a joy to use, and in all honesty I’d say it performed as well as the D800. The image quality is stunning, and again, just as good as the D800.
Two days ago I decided to retire my D3s bought another D600.
Professional photography no longer demands monstrous cameras and I suspect that the D600 will soon have earned a reclassification as more professionals reach for them.
I can’t speak for everybody, but as a professional photographer with 12 years experience using top of the range digital cameras, I can recommend this camera.
Bob
November 20th, 2012 at 20:32
I love my D600. Best camera.