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Home → Comparison

Nikon D600 vs Canon 6D

By Romanas Naryškin 141 Comments
Last Updated On May 11, 2023

With Canon having recently announced its take on budget DSLRs, the Canon 6D, the most obvious rival just happens to be the brand new Nikon D600. We’ve already seen how the latter stacks up, at least on-paper, with such great cameras as D700 and D800, but neither of those cameras were direct rivals. Priced at the same relatively low price for a full-frame sensor camera, $2099 body only, Canon 6D is as direct a rival as it can get. Lets see how it measures up against its Nikon counterpart spec-wise. Please keep in mind that this Nikon D600 vs Canon 6D comparison is purely based on specifications. A detailed comparison with image samples and ISO comparisons will be provided in the upcoming Canon 6D Review.

UPDATE: there has been a misleading set of specifications spread throughout the internet, indicating that the top shutter speed of Canon 6D is 1/8000th of a second. It’s incorrect – according to official Canon specifications, the top shutter speed of their newly announced “budget” full-frame camera is 1/4000th of a second.

D600 vs 6D

Please note that this comparison is purely based on official specifications of both cameras. A more thorough and objective analysis with sensor comparisons will be provided in the upcoming Canon 6D Review.

Nikon D600 vs Canon 6D Specification Comparison

Camera FeatureNikon D600Canon 6D
Sensor Resolution24.3 Million20.2 Million
Sensor TypeCMOSCMOS
Sensor Size35.9×24.0mm35.8×23.9mm
Sensor Pixel Size5.96µ6.55µ
Dust Reduction / Sensor CleaningYesYes
Image Size6,016 x 4,0165,472 x 3,648
Image ProcessorEXPEED 3DIGIC 5+
Viewfinder TypePentaprismPentaprism
Viewfinder Coverage100%97%
Built-in FlashYes, with flash commander modeNo
Storage Media2x SD1x SD
Continuous Shooting Speed5.5 FPS4.5 FPS
Max Shutter Speed1/4000 to 30 sec1/4000 to 30 sec
Shutter Durability150,000 cycles100,000 cycles
Exposure Metering Sensor2,016-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II63-zone dual-layer iFCL metering sensor
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Native ISO SensitivityISO 100-6,400ISO 100-25,600
Boosted ISO SensitivityISO 50, ISO 12,800-25,600ISO 50, ISO 51,200-102,400
Autofocus SystemMulti-CAM 4800FX11-point AF with 1 cross-type sensor (center, sensitive down to -3EV)
AF DetectionUp to f/8 (center 7 AF points only)Up to f/5.6
Video CapabilityYesYes
Video OutputMOV, Compressed and UncompressedAVI, H.264/MPEG-4 in MOV Format
Video Maximum Resolution1920×1080 (1080p) @ 24p, 25p, 30p1920×1080 (1080p) @ 29.97p, 25p, 23.976p
Audio RecordingBuilt-in microphone
External stereo microphone (optional)
Built-in microphone
External stereo microphone (optional)
LCD Size3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD
LCD Resolution921,000 dots1,040,000 dots
HDR SupportYesYes
Built-in GPSNoYes
Wi-Fi FunctionalityEye-Fi Compatible, WU-1B, UT-1Built-in Wi-Fi
BatteryEN-EL15 Lithium-ion BatteryLP-E6 Lithium-ion Battery
Battery Life900 shots (CIPA)980 shots
Weather Sealed BodyYesYes
USB Version2.02.0
Weight (Body Only)26.8 oz. (760g)24 oz. (680g)
Dimensions141 x 113 x 82mm145 x 111 x 71mm
MSRP Price$2,099 (as introduced)$2,099 (as introduced)

If you remember Nasim comparing the D600 vs D800, the cheaper full-frame choice seemed inferior in several aspects such as AF system and resolution, but given the price tag, it seemed like a fair trade-off. D600 would compliment its bigger brother very well.

We see a very different situation though when comparing identically priced rivals, the Canon 6D and the Nikon D600. Nikon seems to shine as the better of the two, and by quite a margin. First of all, it offers a more sophisticated 39-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors, while Canon has given its new camera a somewhat outdated 11-point AF with just one cross-type sensor. While Canon interestingly says it is the most sensitive system of all current EOS cameras and is able to focus down to -3EV, which is very dark, we are yet to see if it’s true. Lets try to stay positive and not assume it will be as inferior to Nikon’s 39-point AF as it seems at first glance.

Canon also loses when comparing resolution. While there’s not much real-world, print-noticeable difference between 20 and 24 megapixels, with the launch of 6D, Canon has made clear that there will not be a high-resolution rival to the D800, at least at a similar price point. Due to smaller pixel pitch, high ISO and low-light performance should be a little better than that of Nikon D600, but the difference, again, might not be significant. Nikon uses very good sensors that can perform great at the highest sensitivities, as proven by D800, so things might turn out either way – we will make sure to compare them side-by-side thoroughly.

Canon 6D also doesn’t seem to be as fast as Nikon D600 at 4.5 frames per second max (versus 5.5 frames per second D600 offers). More than that, shutter durability has been rated at 100K clicks versus 150K – that’s as low as the old Canon 500D offers, which also cost about three times less at introduction three years ago. Add an inferior viewfinder with 97% coverage and a single SD card slot, lack of pop-up flash (important for some, while some will prefer better sealing), inferior video specifications (which used to be Canon’s playground – now Nikon offers uncompressed video via HDMI), and you’ve got a camera that should have either been launched a year ago (at least), or priced lower. The only real advantages (and, to be fair, modern, should-be-standard features) 6D offers are built-in GPS and Wi-Fi functionality. It’s almost as if Canon either wasn’t trying, or wasn’t expecting Nikon to launch the D600. If the latter is the case, they missed, as many have said before me, the worst kept secret in the history of DSLRs.

Don’t get me wrong. The Canon 6D is likely going to sell quite well. It is also likely that the price will drop much faster than that of D600 (as previously seen with 5D Mark II and Nikon D700). It’s not a bad camera, it’s just worse than Nikon D600 at almost every important aspect you can find. At least on paper.

We hope to get our hands on the Canon 6D as soon as we can (looks like it won’t be shipping for a while) and hopefully prove ourselves wrong!

A SIDE NOTE: our team wanted to love this camera. After all, along with the D600, it marks the beginning of affordable full-frame cameras, and prices should only go down further on. As we are turning our attention not only towards Nikon, but also Fujifilm, Sony, and Canon, we wanted users of the latter to feel welcome and appreciated, and least of all did we intend to bash the newest Canon product, which also happens to be an otherwise amazing, affordable full-frame camera. The only problem is that the 6D, is not as good as its direct rival, the D600, based on specs alone. It’s as simple as that. Don’t take our opinion offensively – we are sure it will sell very well and deliver great images to many photographers. But for those price/performance conscious, Nikon D600, ultimately, seems to offer more, at least until we get a chance to properly review both.

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Tagged With: Canon, Canon 6D, DSLR Camera, Nikon, Nikon D600

About Romanas Naryškin

A student and a wedding photographer with a passion for cinematography and writing. You'll see me buying film even when there's no food in the fridge. Follow me on Google+, Facebook or visit my wedding photography website to see some of my work.

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141 Comments
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Tony
Tony
October 22, 2017 7:55 am

Great, but did you actually shoot any pictures with either camera before writing this?

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G P Hanson
G P Hanson
July 25, 2015 7:21 am

Hi Nazim, I have a Nikon D600 no dust issues. You forgot to mention the Nikon CLS system (worth it alone), customisable metering modes including spot metering on all 39 points (very useful). The D600 all round just better for photographers who need the sheer flexibility of the nikon system. If all you want is pleasant sooc jpegs then get the 6D and knock yourself out.

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Viktor
Viktor
May 13, 2014 12:44 pm

First of all we all know problems with D600… Nikon really dropped the ball with this model and they reputation and now they recalling D600 and replacing them with D610 – Shame and lost of trust. Thats important.

2nd point – canon users won’t switch to nikon and other way around. So this article is pretty much for ppl who don’t own Canon or Nikon products.

3rd point – u can’t compare cameras based on just spec. On paper it might look like crap but try using it and u will change ur mind. So many test proven for example that Canon is doing better with ISO and low light and focusing in a low light. Plus don’t forget since we are talking about people who are new to canon and nikon – Kit lenses – Canon L lens is way better then Nikons kit glass…

Anyway, my point is – both cameras are great. Both full frame. Both have cons and pros. And it’s a great start. It’s like comparing iPhone to Android. The is no winner here to my opinion.

Also don’t forget – bodies come and go, good glass stays.

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Reply
Андрей
Андрей
February 27, 2014 7:33 am

Вечная борьба, что лучше Canon или Nikon? Мой взгляд на камеры: есть фф или кроп, а все остальные примочки по сути по необходимости. Центральной точки фокусировки хватает за глаза, достаточно только научиться ею пользоваться. На мой взгляд обе камеры хороши, а выбор у каждого свой ;)

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Viktor
Viktor
Reply to  Андрей
May 13, 2014 12:44 pm

+1

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Murat Kilic
Murat Kilic
May 22, 2013 10:37 pm

Hello Everyone,

I own a D600 and my best mate owns a Canon 6D.

While both cameras are almost identical in features and aim at a similar market, I thought I’d give a quick summary of my observations so far from our photo walks:

Nikon- Better as a walk around camera, better lenses to choose from and much sharper images overall, the built in flash is really useful, to me more than the GPS. I have an add on flash however don’t really use it as the built in one does 99% of what the add on will.
Canon- Shoots much better in low light situations, night photography way ahead of the Nikon and feels amazing in the hand and lighter. The lack of flash is annoying however the good low light performance kind of makes up for it.

I think there is no ‘better’ camera, rather it should be a choice of each individual. Rather than focusing on the body, i think one should pay more attention to the lenses used. No point having a Ferrari if you’re running on diesel…

Cheers,
Murat

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hank5
hank5
March 15, 2013 3:52 am

Bought the Canon 6D over the Nikon D600 after some thorough research. I owned the D700 and D3100 both of which were stolen. Main reasons for opting for Canon 6D – more streamlined, and lighter than Nikon D600 (for travel purposes).

Took my Sony RX100, and Canon 6D recently on US trip. 90% of my pics were taken with the RX100 simply because it was more practical and more convenient to use.

The Canon 6D pairs well with the 24mm f2.8 USM IS, and the pancake 40mm f2.8 STM.

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FullFrameJunkie
FullFrameJunkie
March 14, 2013 7:31 pm

There’s an error in the 6D LCD size. It’s 3.0inches and not 3.2

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Quazi Ahmed Hussain
Quazi Ahmed Hussain
February 27, 2013 2:42 am

These comparisons are hardly of any use. Nikon users with fleet of Nikkor lenses will have to buy D600 and likewise Canon users with Canon lenses will have to choose 6D.

It all depends on whether the user needs this body. If really necessary; one will have to get the body that supports his/her lenses.

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Marco
Marco
February 27, 2013 2:32 am

Any news on the Canon 6D review?

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Reply
Prof. G.
Prof. G.
December 11, 2012 12:19 pm

I just read that there will be some nice rebates on the D600 and the D800 BUT have they solved the sensor dust problem????
LensRental has found that there is a dust problem — the last I read.

Thank you.

0
Reply

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