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Recording Features
Included Lens
Optional Accessories
Play, Print and Edit Features
Battery Information
Computer Requirements

Recording Features

Overview: The D600 is Nikon's new full-frame high resolution DSLR, but in a slightly smaller package than the D800 or D4. This D600 package includes the camera body with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack and battery charger, and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR high-quality standard zoom lens.

Image Sensor: The D600 is equipped with the Nikon FX-format, 35.9 x 24.0mm CMOS image sensor with 24.7 million total pixels (and 24.3 million effective pixels). The Nikon FX format enables photographers to take advantage of the familiar perspective characteristics of 35mm film photography. You can choose to shoot in the FX format, or switch to DX format.

Magnesium Alloy Body: The D600 features rugged, durable and lightweight magnesium alloy for the top and rear frames, to achieve better durability and lighter weight. Extensive weather sealing gives the D600 dust- and moisture-proof protection, allowing you to work in harsh environments.

EXPEED 3 Image Processing: Nikon's EXPEED 3 technology provides superb image fidelity and reduced noise, even at high ISOs. EXPEED 3 can also handle data-intensive tasks, like Full HD video recording at broadcast quality 30p, with ease.

Dual Media Slots: The D600 has dual slots that can accommodate SD, SDHC, and SDXC Memory cards, including UHS-1 cards for faster data transfer. Class 6 or higher write speeds are recommended for movie recording. No memory card is supplied with the camera. When two cards are used, you can choose the role played by the card in slot 2:

• Overflow: Card in Slot 2 is used only when the card in Slot 1 is full.
• Backup: Each picture is recorded onto cards in both slots simultaneously.
• RAW/JPEG: NEF/RAW images are recorded only to the card in Slot 1 while JPEG images are recorded only to the card in Slot 2.

Memory Buffer: The camera is equipped with a memory buffer for temporary storage, allowing shooting to continue while photographs are being saved to the memory card. Up to 100 photographs can be taken in succession.

LCD Monitor: The Nikon D600 features 3.2-inch, 921,000-dot (VGA), color TFT LCD monitor with a 170° wide viewing angle and 100% frame coverage. The monitor has adjustable brightness control using an ambient brightness sensor. The D600 features a Live View that lets you use the monitor in place of the camera's viewfinder to confirm your subject and composition while shooting.

Optical Viewfinder: In addition to the LCD monitor, the D600 has an eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder with approximately 100% frame coverage in FX format (97% in DX format). It has a diopter adjustment knob so you can set the viewfinder to your personal eyesight (with or without eyeglasses). The bright and sharp viewfinder makes focusing in low-light situations possible. The viewfinder offers approximately 0.7x magnification. The viewfinder uses a Type-B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VIII screen with superimposed AF brackets and on-demand grid lines for clear and accurate focusing of your subject. The camera comes with the DK-5 eyepiece cover to prevent light from entering the viewfinder when shooting self portraits on a tripod.

Still Image Size/Quality: The D600 records still images in JPEG and NEF* (RAW) formats. It can also record in both NEF (RAW) + JPEG formats simultaneously. JPEG images can set to fine (1:4 compression), normal (1:8), or basic (1:16) image quality. Depending upon the selected format (image area), you can choose from the following image sizes:

* RAW data from the image sensor is saved directly to the memory card in Nikon Electronic Format (NEF). Once transferred to a computer, NEF (RAW) images can only be viewed using compatible software such as the supplied ViewNX2 software.

Movies: The camera can record broadcast-quality movies in MOV format with MPEG-4/H.264 advanced video coding and Linear PCM audio. Audio is recorded using the built-in monaural microphone, or an external stereo microphone. Image quality can be set to High or Normal. The maximum length of movies are up to 29 min 59 sec (20 minutes for High Quality movies). The available movie options include:

39-Point Autofocus System: The D600 is equipped with the Nikon Multi-CAM 4800 autofocus sensor module with 39 focus points, including 9 cross-type sensors. The center 33 points are available at apertures slower than f/5.6 and faster than f/8 while the center 7 focus points are available at f/8.

AF-Area Modes: The D600 offers a choice of four focus area modes that together cover a wide area of the frame. The AF-area mode determines how the focus area is selected and what happens if the subject moves out of the selected focus area while the camera is still focusing. You can choose one of the following AF-area modes:

• Single-Point AF: The camera will focus on the subject in the selected focus point only.
• Dynamic Area AF: The camera offers a choice of three different size areas to match the movement of the subject, using groups of 9, 21 or all 39 focus points.
• 3D-Tracking: In AF-C focus mode, the camera will track subjects that leave the selected focus point and select new focus points as required.
• Auto Area AF: The camera automatically detects subject and selects focus point. If a face is detected, the camera will give priority to the portrait subject.

Focus Modes: You can choose from the following focus modes:

• Single-servo Autofocus (AF-S): camera focuses automatically when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. The focus remains locked while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. The picture will only be taken when the in-focus indicator is displayed. Recommended for stationary subjects.
• Continuous-servo Autofocus (AF-C): camera focuses continuously while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Photographs can be taken whether or not the camera is in focus. Recommended for moving subjects.
• Auto-servo Autofocus (AF-A): camera automatically selects single servo autofocus if staionary, continuous servo autofocus if subject is moving.
• Manual (MF): focus must be adjusted manually using the lens focusing ring

Predictive Focus Tracking: In continuous-servo AF, the camera will initiate predictive focus tracking if the subject moves toward or away from the camera while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway or the AF-ON button is pressed. This allows the camera to track focus while attempting to predict where the subject will be when the shutter is released.

Focus Lock: Focus Lock can be used to change the composition after focusing, making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus area in the final composition.

Electronic Range Finder: If the connected lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster, the camera's Electronic Range Finder can be used to confirm whether or not your subject in the selected focus point is in focus (the focus point can be selected from any of the 39 focus points).

AF Assist Illuminator: The built-in AF assist illuminator enables the camera to focus even when the subject is poorly lit. The illuminator has a range of approximately 1'-8" to 9'-10".

Release Modes: The release mode determines how the camera takes photographs. You can choose from the following shooting modes:

• Single Frame: camera takes one photograph each time the shutter-release button is pressed
• Continuous Low Speed: while shutter-release button is held down, the camera records at 1-5 frames per second.
• Continuous High Speed: while the shutter-release button is held down, the camera records up to 5.5 frames per second.
• Quiet Shutter-Release: during single frame shooting, noise is reduced by disabling the beeps and minimizing the sound produced when the mirror drops back into place.
• Self-Timer: use self-timer for self-portraits or to reduce blurring caused by camera shake; you can set the self-timer to 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds
• Remote Control: shutter is controlled using the shutter-release button on the optional ML-L3 remote control
• Mirror Up: choose this mode to minimize camera shake in telephoto or close-up photography or in other situations in which the slightest camera movement can result in blurred photographs

Interval Timer Photography: The D600 is equipped to take photographs automatically at preset intervals. Shooting will begin about 3 seconds after the interval is set or you can set a start time. You can select the number of intervals (up to 999), and the number of shots taken per interval (up to 9).

Exposure Modes: The Exposure Modes determine how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture when adjusting exposure. You can choose from the following Exposure Modes.

• Programmed Auto (P): camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure according to a built-in program; recommended for snapshots and other situations in which there is little time to adjust camera settings
• Shutter-Priority Auto (S): user chooses shutter speed while camera sets aperture for best results; use to freeze or blur motion. The shutter speed can be set from 30 to 1/4000 seconds.
• Aperture-Priority Auto (A): user chooses aperture while camera sets shutter speed for best results; use to blur background for portraits or bring both foreground and background into focus for landscape shots
• Manual (M): user controls both shutter speed and aperture for complete control over exposure

User Settings: The Mode Dial has two positions, U1 and U2, for assigning frequently-used settings. Settings can be saved in the following: flexible program (mode P), shutter speed (modes S and M), aperture (modes A and M), exposure and flash compensation, flash mode, focus point, metering, autofocus and AF-area modes, bracketing, and settings in the shooting and custom settings menus.

Scene Modes: When the Mode Dial is set to "Scene", you can choose a scene mode that automatically optimizes settings to suit the selected scene. You can choose from: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up, Night Portrait, Night Landscape, Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Pet Portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn Colors, Food, Silhouette, High Key, and Low Key.

Long Time-Exposures: When Bulb shooting is selected, the shutter will remain open while the shutter-release button is held down. Bulb shooting is used for long time-exposure photographs of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks. An optional tripod and optional remote cord (MC-DC2) are recommended to prevent blur.

Exposure Compensation: You can alter the exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. You can adjust the exposure from -5.0 to +5.0 EV in steps of 1/3 EV.

Metering: The D600 utilizes through-the-lens (TTL) metering using the camera's 2,016-pixel RGB sensor. You can choose one of the following metering methods:

• 3D Color Matrix II: If using a type G or D lens, you can utilize 3D Color Matrix Metering II (or Color Matrix Metering II with other CPU lenses). The camera meters a wide area of the frame and sets exposure according to distribution of brightness, color, distance, and composition for natural results
• Center-weighted: The camera meters the entire frame but assigns greatest weight (75%) to the area in the center of the frame. The diameter of the circle can be set to 8, 15, or 20mm, or weighting can be based on the average of the entire frame. (Non-CPU lenses use a 12mm circle or average of entire frame.)
• Spot: The camera meters inside a 4mm diameter circle (approximately 1.5% of frame). The circle is centered on the selected focus area, making it possible to meter off-center subjects.

Multiple Exposure: This feature records a series of two or three exposures in a single photograph. Multiple exposures can be recorded at any image quality setting, and produce results with colors noticeably better than photographs combined in an imaging application because they make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor.

White Balance: White balance ensures that colors are unaffected by the color of the light source. You can choose one of the following white balance options:

• Auto: Choose from Auto, Normal, or Keep Warm Lighting Colors
• Incandescent
• Fluorescent: Choose from Sodium-Vapor lamps, Warm-White Fluorescent, White Fluorescent, Cool-White Fluorescent, Day White Fluorescent, Daylight Fluorescent, and High-temperature Mercury Vapor
• Direct Sunlight
• Flash
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Color Temperature: Choose a color temperature from a list of values (2500K-10000K)
• Preset Manual: manually set the white balance using the subject, light source, or existing photograph in the memory card as reference

Bracketing (P, S, A, & M modes): Bracketing automatically varies exposure, flash level, Active D-Lighting (ADL), or white balance slightly with each shot, "bracketing" the current value. You can set the increment used and the number of shots. Bracketing can be combined with continuous shooting or the self timer modes.

ISO Sensitivity: ISO Sensitivity is the digital equivalent of film speed. You can set the ISO Sensitivity to Auto or Manual. You can manually select settings of ISO 100 to ISO 6400 in steps of 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV. For special occasions, expanded settings of Lo 0.3 (equivalent to ISO 80), Lo 1 (50), Hi 0.3 (8000) and Hi 2 (25600) are available.

Preset Picture Controls: The camera offers six preset Nikon Picture Controls. You can choose a Picture Control according to the subject or type of scene:

• Standard: standard processing for balanced results; recommended for most situations
• Neutral: minimal processing for natural results; recommended for photographs that will later be extensively processed or retouched
• Vivid: pictures are enhanced for a vivid, photo-print effect; recommended for photos that emphasize primary colors
• Monochrome: takes monochrome photographs
• Portrait: process portrait for skin with natural texture and a rounded feel
• Landscape: produces vibrant landscapes and cityscapes

Picture Control Settings: The Preset Picture Controls listed above can be modified to suit a particular scene or your creative content. The following manual adjustments can be made:

• Quick Adjust: allows you to reduce or exaggerate the effect of the selected Picture Control Preset from -2 to +2
• Sharpening: controls the sharpness of outlines from 0 to 9; you can also select Auto which adjust the sharpness automatically according to the scene
• Contrast: adjust contrast automatically according to the type of scene or chose from values between -3 to +3 to increase or decrease the contrast of your subject
• Brightness: reduce or enhanced brightness level from -1 to +1; this does not affect exposure
• Saturation (for non-monochrome): automatically adjust saturation according to the type of scene or choose from values between -3 to +3 to lower or increase your subject's saturation
• Hue (for non-monochrome): adjust your subject's hue from -3 to +3 to change the level of Hue
• Filter Effects (for monochrome): simulate the effect of color filters on monochrome photographs from yellow, orange, red, green or off
• Toning (for monochrome): choose the tint used in monochrome photographs from B&W, Sepia, Cyanotype, Red, Yellow, Green, Blue Green, Blue, Purple Blue, or Red Purple.

Color Space: The color space determines the gamut of colors available for color reproduction. You can select either sRGB for photos that will be printed or used "as is" with no further modification, or Adobe RGB for images that will be extensively processed or retouched after leaving the camera.

Active D-Lighting: Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows, creating photographs with natural contrast. Active D-Lighting offers the following application strength levels: Auto, Low, Normal, High, Extra High and Off.

Built-In Speedlight: The D600 has a pop-up flash that provides coverage for the angle of view of a 24mm lens (or 16mm lens in DX format). The available flash modes vary with the shooting mode. The following flash modes are supported:

• Auto Flash: When lighting is poor or subject is backlit, the flash pops up automatically when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, and fires as required.
• Red-Eye Reduction: The red-eye reduction lamp lights for approximately one second before the flash fires to reduce the red-eye effect.
• Slow Sync: Flash is combined with shutter speeds as slow as 30 seconds to capture both subject and background at night or under dim light. (Tripod recommended)
• Rear-Curtain Sync: The flash fires just before the shutter closes, creating effect of stream of light following moving subjects. In programmed auto and aperture-priority auto, slow rear-curtain sync is used to capture both subject and background. (Tripod recommended)

Flash Compensation: Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from -3 EV to +1EV in increments of 1/3 EV to change the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter or reduced to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections.

FV Lock: This feature is used to lock the flash output, allowing photographs to be recomposed without changing the flash level and ensuring that the flash output is appropriate to the subject even when the subject is not positioned in the center of the frame. The Flash output is adjusted automatically for any changes in ISO sensitivity and aperture.

Included Lens

Lens Overview: The AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm, f/3.5-4.5G ED VR is a wide angle-to-medium telephoto zoom lens, optimized for use with FX-format Nikon digital SLR cameras.

Construction: The Extra-low Dispersion (ED) element and three aspherical lenses control chromatic aberrations while enhancing sharpness and contrast even at the widest aperture settings.

Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC): SIC offers superior color performance and substantially reduced ghosting and flare.

Built-in CPU: The lens has a built-in CPU which allows it to communicate with the camera body for focus and exposure functions. A set of CPU contacts is located on the lens mount for interfacing with the camera body.

Auto Focus: Nikon's Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables ultra-high-speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and super-quiet operation. The manual/auto focus mode switch allows quick response to situations requiring manual focus operation.

Zoom Control: The lens features a large, textured manual zoom ring for easy zooming control.

Vibration Reduction (VR II): Vibration reduction minimizes the effects of camera shake allowing you to shoot handheld at as many as 4 shutter speed stops slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper images. VR II also includes tripod detection, which automatically recognizes when the camera is mounted to a tripod, and delivers a specialized VR correction that is ideal for HD video recording. You can turn vibration reduction on or off with the switch on the side of the lens.

Aperture: Because there is no aperture ring on this lens, the aperture must be set on the camera.

Diaphragm: The lens is equipped with a fully-automatic, 7-blade diaphragm that produces a nearly circular aperture. Out-of-focus images in front of or behind the subject are rendered as pleasing blurs.

Lens Hood: The lens includes the HB-63 lens hood to protect the lens and block stray light that would otherwise cause flare or ghosting. The lens hood can be reversed and mounted on the lens when not in use. When installed, the lens hood adds approximately 2" to the overall length of the lens.

Lens Specifications:

• Type of Lens: Type-G AF-S lens with built-in CPU
• Type of Mount: Nikon bayonet type (F-type)
• Filter Diameter: 72mm
• Focal Length: 24mm to 85mm (FX-format); 36mm to 136.5mm (DX-format)
• Closest Focus Distance: 15"
• Maximum Aperture: f/3.5 (at 24mm), f/4.5 (at 85mm)
• Minimum Aperture: f/22 (at 24mm), f/29 (at 85mm)
• Lens Construction: 16 elements in 11 groups with 1 ED glass and 3 aspherical lens elements
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 3.529" (4.122" w/lens caps)
  • Diameter: 3.05"
  • Weight: approximately 16.4 ounces

Lens Warranty: Nikon offers a 1-year parts and labor warranty on this lens. An additional 4-year Extended Service Coverage is available at no charge if you register the product with Nikon within 10 days of purchase.

Optional Accessories

Speedlights: The Nikon D600 supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS), and can be used with CLS-compatible flash units. Optional flash units, such as the SB-400, SB-700, and SB-910, can be attached directly to the camera accessory shoe.

WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter: The WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter supports two-way communication between the camera and smart devices running the Wireless Mobile Adapter Utility. It allows your wireless LAN-equipped smart device to control your camera remotely. You can release the shutter, select a focus point, and shoot in Time mode. The WU-1b is compatible with devices using Android OS 2.3 or later (smartphones), Android 3.0 or later (tablets), and iOS version 6.0 or later (iPhone and iPad). The Wireless Mobile Utility app (available from Google Play and iTunes online store) must be installed on the smart device before it can be used with the camera.

ML-L3: The ML-L3 Infrared Wireless Remote Control allows you to trigger the camera's shutter remotely when using slower shutter speeds to prevent camera movement. It offers immediate release mode and two second delay mode, and has an operating range of approximately 16 feet.

MC-DC2 Wired Remote Control: The MC-DC2 Wired Remote Control is designed to wirelessly control the shutter-button of the camera. It features a 41" cord terminated by a proprietary connector which plugs into the camera's accessory terminal. The shutter-release button can be locked in the full-pressed position by sliding the lock to the "Hold" position.

ME-1 Stereo Microphone: The ME-1 can record stereo sound while shooting movies. Audio recorded with the ME-1 plays back in stereo when the camera is connected to a TV via an HDMI cable.

GP-1 GPS Unit: The Nikon GP-1 GPS unit allows the current latitude, longitude, altitude, and local time to be recorded with each photograph taken.

Play, Print and Edit Features

Auto Image Rotation: Photographs taken while Auto Image Rotation is set to "On" contain information on camera orientation, and allow the images to be rotated automatically during playback, or when viewed using the supplied ViewNX 2 or optional CaptureNX 2 software.

Playback Menu: The playback menu contains the following options:

• Delete: allows you to delete the current image or all the images in the selected folder or folders
• Playback Folder: allows you to play back the images in the current folder, all folders created with the D600, or all folders on the memory card
• Hide Image: allows you to hide and reveal selected pictures. Hidden images can only be deleted by formatting the memory card.
• Display Options: choose from either a detailed display of information or a basic display of information
• Copy Images: copy pictures from one memory card to another
• Image Review: When this setting is enabled, the camera displays the image on the LCD monitor after the picture is taken.
• After Delete: choose the picture displayed after an image is deleted (next, previous, continue)
• Rotate Tall: portrait photos are displayed in tall orientation during playback
• Slide Show: allows you to play back images one after the other in a slide-show fashion. You can select the type of images to display, and how long each photo will be displayed.
• Print Set (DPOF): used to create a digital "print order" that lists the photographs to be printed, the number of copies, and the information to be included on each print for use with PictBridge-compatible computers or devices that support DPOF.

Thumbnail Playback: This feature allows you to view four (2x2), nine (3x3), or 72 (9 x 8) images at once on the LCD monitor so that you can search for an image quickly.

Playback Zoom: During single-image and thumbnail playback, you can zoom in on the selected image. You can zoom in up to 38x for large images, up to 28x for medium images, and up to 19x for small images. Once the image is enlarged, you can move it around on the LCD monitor using the multi selector.

Retouch Menu: The Retouched Menu allows you to create trimmed, resized or retouched copies of the photographs you have taken on the memory card. The Retouch Menu gives you the following editing options: D-Lighting, Red-eye correction, Trim, Monochrome, Filter effects, Color balance, Image overlay, NEF (RAW) processing, Resize, Quick Retouch, Straighten, Distortion control, Fisheye, Color Outline, Color Sketch, Perspective control, Miniature effect, Selective color, Edit movie, and Side-by-side comparison.

Image Comment: The camera allows you to input up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text and save it to a recorded image. The comment can be viewed in CaptureNX 2 (software available separately) or the supplied ViewNX 2 software.

PictBridge Printing Capability: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer. PictBridge is a standard that allows you to connect a PictBridge compliant camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer and make prints, regardless of brand.

HDTV Playback: The camera features a mini-HDMI (Type C) output for connecting the camera to an HDTV or other high-definition video device. The output resolution to Auto, 480p, 576p, 720p, or 1080i. The camera does not have a composite video output.

Battery Information

Battery: The D600 is powered by the EN-EL15 Lithium-ion battery (7.0V/1900mAh/14Wh). A fully-charged EN-EL15 can provide enough power for approximately 900 shots. The battery charges in approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes using the supplied MH-25 battery charger.

Optional AC Adapter: You can power the camera for extended periods on ordinary household current with the EP-5B power connector and EH-5B AC adapter.

Multi-Power Battery Pack: The MB-D14 Multi-Power Battery Pack attaches to the bottom of the camera body, and can accept a rechargeable EN-EL15 battery, or six AA alkaline, Ni-MH, or Lithium batteries. The MB-D14 also has a shutter-release button, AF-ON button, Multi-selector, and Main- and Sub-command dials for easier operation when shooting photographs in portrait (tall) orientation.

Computer Requirements

ViewNX 2: The supplied ViewNX 2 CD-ROM contains a Nikon Transfer 2 function for transferring pictures from the camera to the computer, where ViewNX 2 can be used to view and print selected images or to edit photographs and movies. ViewNX 2 is compatible with computers with the following Operating Systems:

• Windows: Pre-installed version of:
  • Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate (Service Pack 1)
  • Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, Ultimate (Service Pack 2)
  • Windows XP: 32-bit versions of Home Edition, Professional (Service Pack 3)

Note: All installed programs run as 32-bit applications in 64-bit editions of Windows 7 and Windows Vista

• Macintosh: Mac OS X version 10.5.8, 10.6.8, or 10.7.2