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Nikon D4s Vs. D600: The Battle Of Speed, Resolution, And Autofocus

Drew is a passionate photographer and the founder of the popular camera review blog, "DrewCaptures." With over a decade of experience behind the lens, Drew has developed a deep understanding of the latest camera gear and technologies.

What To Know

  • The Nikon D4S and D600 both have excellent autofocus systems, but the D4S has a slight edge in terms of speed and accuracy.
  • The D4S also has a higher-resolution LCD screen than the D600, with a resolution of 921,000 dots compared to the D600’s 922,000 dots.
  • However, if you are on a budget or prefer a smaller and lighter camera, then the Nikon D600 is a good option.

The Nikon D4S and Nikon D600 are two professional-grade DSLR cameras that have been popular choices among photographers for years. While both cameras offer excellent image quality and performance, they have different strengths and weaknesses that make them suitable for different types of photography. In this blog post, we will compare the Nikon D4S vs Nikon D600 in detail to help you decide which camera is the best choice for your needs.

Sensor and Image Quality

The Nikon D4S features a full-frame CMOS sensor with a resolution of 16.2 megapixels. The Nikon D600, on the other hand, has a smaller APS-C CMOS sensor with a resolution of 24.3 megapixels. While the D600 has a higher megapixel count, the D4S’s full-frame sensor offers several advantages.

Full-Frame Sensor Advantages:

  • Larger dynamic range: The D4S’s full-frame sensor has a wider dynamic range, which means it can capture a greater range of tones from bright highlights to dark shadows.
  • Better low-light performance: The D4S’s larger pixels are more sensitive to light, which gives it an advantage in low-light situations.
  • Shallow depth of field: The D4S’s full-frame sensor allows for a shallower depth of field, which is ideal for creating images with a blurred background.

APS-C Sensor Advantages:

  • Higher resolution: The D600’s APS-C sensor has a higher resolution, which means it can produce images with more detail.
  • Smaller and lighter: The D600 is smaller and lighter than the D4S, making it more portable and easier to use.
  • More affordable: The D600 is more affordable than the D4S, making it a good choice for photographers on a budget.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting

The Nikon D4S and D600 both have excellent autofocus systems, but the D4S has a slight edge in terms of speed and accuracy. The D4S features a 51-point autofocus system with 15 cross-type sensors, while the D600 has a 39-point autofocus system with 9 cross-type sensors. The D4S also has a faster burst shooting speed, capable of capturing up to 11 frames per second (fps) compared to the D600’s 6 fps.

ISO Range and Noise Performance

Both the Nikon D4S and D600 have wide ISO ranges, but the D4S has a slight advantage in terms of noise performance. The D4S has a native ISO range of 100-25600, while the D600 has a native ISO range of 100-6400. The D4S also has better noise performance at high ISO settings, producing cleaner images with less noise.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

The Nikon D4S is a professional-grade camera that is built to withstand harsh conditions. It has a magnesium alloy body that is weather-sealed to protect it from dust and moisture. The D600, on the other hand, has a polycarbonate body that is not weather-sealed. This makes the D600 less suitable for use in harsh conditions.

Viewfinder and LCD Screen

The Nikon D4S has a large and bright optical viewfinder with 100% coverage. The D600 has a smaller optical viewfinder with 95% coverage. The D4S also has a higher-resolution LCD screen than the D600, with a resolution of 921,000 dots compared to the D600’s 922,000 dots.

Connectivity and Storage

The Nikon D4S and D600 both have built-in Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity. The D4S also has a built-in Ethernet port for wired connectivity. Both cameras have dual memory card slots, which support both CF and SD cards.

Price and Availability

The Nikon D4S is a professional-grade camera that is more expensive than the D600. The D4S currently retails for around $6,000, while the D600 retails for around $2,000.

Which Camera is Right for You?

The Nikon D4S and Nikon D600 are both excellent cameras, but they are best suited for different types of photography. If you are looking for a professional-grade camera with excellent image quality, low-light performance, and fast autofocus, then the Nikon D4S is the best choice for you. However, if you are on a budget or prefer a smaller and lighter camera, then the Nikon D600 is a good option.

Top Questions Asked

Q: Which camera has better image quality?
A: The Nikon D4S has better image quality due to its full-frame sensor, which offers a wider dynamic range, better low-light performance, and a shallower depth of field.

Q: Which camera has faster autofocus?
A: The Nikon D4S has a faster autofocus system with 51 focus points and 15 cross-type sensors compared to the D600’s 39 focus points and 9 cross-type sensors.

Q: Which camera is better for low-light photography?
A: The Nikon D4S is better for low-light photography due to its larger pixels and wider dynamic range, which allow it to capture cleaner images with less noise at high ISO settings.

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Drew D.

Drew is a passionate photographer and the founder of the popular camera review blog, "DrewCaptures." With over a decade of experience behind the lens, Drew has developed a deep understanding of the latest camera gear and technologies.
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