• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
  • Nikon D600
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Nikon D610
D600 vs D610
General
Model Number: DSLR-A500 D600
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $2699.95
Street Price:   $1,899.95
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2012-09-18
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
47.6 oz (1,350 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
5.6 x 4.4 x 3.2 in.
(141 x 113 x 82 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 24.3
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.55 microns 5.97 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 64 94
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8 25.1
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.6 14.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 772 2,980
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9),
3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2),
3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other)
6016 x 4016 (24.2 MP, 3:2),
4512 x 3008 (13.6 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 2008 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
2944 x 1968 (5.8 MP, 3:2),
1968 x 1312 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 5.4
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video with Linear PCM audio)
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon F
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Nikkor AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 85mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 24 - 85mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.54x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/4.5 - f/29 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   38 cm to Infinity
15.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 72.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes 39-point (9 cross type) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking via Nikon Multi-CAM 4800FX; Contrast-detect AF in Live View & Movie modes
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.70x magnification, 20.6mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 921,000 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.4x  
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 ISO 100 - 6400, Lo-1 (ISO 50), Hi-1 (ISO 12,800), Hi-2 (ISO 25,600), Auto (adjustable)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 2016-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Scene (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, low key), HDR, Active D-Lighting
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync; built-in flash supports wireless Commander mode
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/200 (up to 1/250 with reduced flash range)
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe ISO-type Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video with Linear PCM audio)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Type-C Mini HDMI, Accessory Terminal, Stereo Mic Jack, Stereo Headphone Jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 0.50
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.47 0.51
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9 36
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.58
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9 5.4
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5 28
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   5.4
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   14
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   5.4
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   12
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.26 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   1.54 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.218 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.182 seconds 0.054 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds 0.30 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.054 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s OVF: Full AF lag, Auto-area Mode = 0.335s LV: Full AF lag, Sigma 70mm = 1.78s Full AF lag, kit lens = 1.54s Prefocused = 0.218s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds 4.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 900 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary EN-EL15, optional MB-D14 battery grip
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output. 24.3MP full frame (35.9 x 24mm) CMOS sensor, EXPEED 3 processor, 5.5 fps burst mode, 150K shutter, locking mode dial, dual SD card slots, UHS-1 compliant, uncompressed Full HD 8-bit video streaming via HDMI, stereo mic jack, headphone jack.