• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Nikon D600

  • Less expensive
    $1000 vs $2700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    469g vs 1350g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.7 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.8 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Nikon D600 advantages over Sony NEX-6

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.78 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,980 vs 1,018 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    14 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-6

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D600

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; More consumer-friendly control setup than NEX-7 but more advanced (actual Mode dial) than step-down models; OLED EVF and 3-inch tilting LCD monitor provide viewfinder flexibility; Fast and decisive AF on stationary subjects, and good continuous AF on normal moving subjects; Full HD 1080p video recording at up to 60p.

  • Hybrid AF system speed and accuracy still lags somewhat behind higher-end DSLRs; Wi-Fi features still rudimentary (join the club); LCD is not a touchscreen; User interface foibles.

  • Great controls for amateur or pro; Good grip and heft; Impressive low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.

  • Dust and oil spatter problem; Moire problem with certain subjects; Slower X-sync speed; Slow AF in Live view mode; Aliasing in videos.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-5N
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Nikon D600
Sony NEX-5N
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-F3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon D600
Sony NEX-F3
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-5R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D600
Sony NEX-5R
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon 6D

Sony NEX-6
Canon 6D
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D600
Canon 6D
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Nikon D610

Sony NEX-6
Nikon D610
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1196
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D600
Nikon D610
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • $1196
  • 35mm
  • Faster RAW shooting
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