Nikon D600 vs Sony SLT-A65
- Full frame
- 24 megapixels
- Nikon F
-
49
Overall -
26
Imaging -
52
Features -
70
Size -
0
Price
- APS-C
- 24 megapixels
- Sony/Minolta Alpha
-
48
Overall -
23
Imaging -
47
Features -
72
Size -
1
Price
Nikon D600 vs Sony SLT-A65: a Complete Review and Comparison
Are you looking for the best camera to suit your needs? Due to a wide range of options, making a wise and weighted decision can be rather challenging. Which specs to keep in mind? What are the key pros and cons of each model? This comparison should give some helpful hints!
In this review, we are going to make a detailed comparison of two cameras that fall into different categories. While the first model we are looking at, Nikon D600 belongs to a Semi-Pro DSLR category, the other model, Nikon D600 is a Entry-Level DSLR camera. One of the key common traits of both cameras we are looking at is sensor. Both Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65, are equipped with the same 24.0 MP CMOS sensors.
To get started, let’s take a look at some of the key features of Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65 and, after this, we can go on to our detailed comparison of these models.
Nikon D600 Key Features:
- 24.0 MP Full frame CMOS sensor
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Expands to 50 - 25600)
- Image Stabilization: No
- 3.2″ Fixed Type Screen
- ViewFinder: Yes
- 5.5 fps Continuous Shooting
- Video: 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps)
- Built-in Wireless: Yes
- Dimensions: 141 x 113 x 82 mm
- Weight: 850 g
- Environmental Sealing: Yes
- Built-in GPS: Yes
- Replaced Nikon D300S. Compare
- Replaced by Nikon D610. Compare
Sony SLT-A65 Key Features:
- 24.0 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Expands to 25600)
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- 3″ Fully Articulated Screen
- ViewFinder: Yes
- 10.0 fps Continuous Shooting
- Video: 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
- Built-in Wireless: Yes
- Dimensions: 132 x 97 x 81 mm
- Weight: 622 g
- Environmental Sealing: No
- Built-in GPS: Yes
- Replaced by Sony A68.
Nikon D600 was substituted by Nikon D610.
Be sure to check out some of our other overviews that may also interest you:
Nikon D600 vs. D610
Nikon D610 vs. Sony SLT-A65
Nikon D600 substituted Nikon D300S.
Be sure to check out some of our other overviews that may also interest you:
Nikon D600 vs. D300S
Nikon D300S vs. Sony SLT-A65
Why is Nikon D600 a better choice than Sony SLT-A65
| Timelapse Recording | Yes vs No | Creative shooting |
| Storage Slots | 2 vs 1 | Extra storage slot |
| Sensor Area | 861.6 mm2 vs 366.6 mm2 | 57.5% larger pixel area |
| Flash Range | 12 vs 10 | 2 better flash range |
| Number Of Focus Points | 39 vs 15 | 24 more focus points |
| Number Of Cross Focus Points | 9 vs 3 | 6 more cross focus points |
| Screen Size | 3.2″ vs 3″ | 0.2" larger screen |
| Battery Life | 900 shots vs 560 shots | 340 more frames with a single charge |
| Environmental Sealing | Yes vs No | Shoot at tough conditions |
| Headphone Port | Yes vs No | Has headphone port |
| Dxo Color Depth | 25.1 vs 23.4 | Better color depth |
| Dxo Dynamic Range | 14.2 vs 12.6 | Better dynamic range |
| Dxo Low Light Iso | 2980 vs 717 | Better High ISO performance |
What are the key reasons to pick Sony SLT-A65 over Nikon D600
| Gps | Built-in vs Optional | Has GPS |
| Image Stabilization | Yes vs No | All lenses are stabilized |
| Continuous Shooting | 10 fps vs 5.5 fps | 4.5 fps faster |
| Screen Type | Fully Articulated vs Fixed Type | Flexible shooting positions |
| Weight | 622 g vs 850 g | 228 g lighter |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.73 vs 0.7 | 0.03 better magnification |
Key PROs of Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65
| Screen Size | 3.2″ | 3″ | Large display |
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic | Better framing and control |
| Raw Support | Yes | Yes | Better image quality |
| Sensor Resolution | 24.0 MP | 24.0 MP | Bigger prints and more details |
| AutoFocus Face Detection | Yes | Yes | Very handy for portraits |
| Microphone Port | Yes | Yes | High quality audio recording option |
| Bracketing | Yes | Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR |
| Built-In Flash | Yes | Yes | External flash available |
| Flash Sync Port | Yes | Yes | Port for Flash Sync |
| Battery Life | 900 shots | 560 shots | Big number of frames with a single charge |
Key CONs of Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65
| Touch Screen | No | No | No touch screen |
| Screen Resolution | 921k dots | 921k dots | Small screen resolution |
Nikon D600 vs Sony SLT-A65: Comparing Two Models By Physical Characteristics
Before heading straight to the technical characteristics of each model, let’s start with comparing their physical specs. Let’s start with looking at the physical difference of the two products. Below are images that clearly show the sizes of Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65 from the front view.
Now, let’s go on and see how the reviewed models are different or similar by the top view.
After looking at these images, you should get a clear idea of each model’s dimensions and how they are different from each other. However, we are not going to stop there. The next characteristic worth looking at is the weight. Of course, not every photographer is concerned about the weight, for example, it wouldn't be a decisive point for those who shoot in a studio. However, it is still an important factor because if you happen to go on a long photo session or just love having the camera with you wherever you go, you want to be sure that the chosen model isn't too heavy.
Speaking of weight, Sony SLT-A65 is a lighter option of these two, as it weights 228g less than the Nikon D600. This difference, in fact, can become a significant disadvantage for the photographers, who prefer to have their cameras with them wherever they go.
Comparing Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65 by the type of Sensor and Resolution
Sensor is, without a doubt, the most significant element of every digital camera. Its type, size, and resolution are the factors that define the quality of future shots. Thus, it is barely possible to pick a suitable camera without looking at these specs.
Are Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65 any different in terms of sensor type?
In terms of sensor type and resolution, these models are identical. Both Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65 come equipped with the same CMOS that has a resolution of 24.0 MP. Thus, if you are wondering, which option to choose, this is not a factor you should be looking at.
Take a look below to find the comparison of Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65 by the size of their sensors.
One more distinctive feature of compared models is the sensor size. Nikon D600 has a sensor area 0.4x bigger compared to Sony SLT-A65. What does it mean? This basically means that if you these cameras them with the same aperture and focal length, the first model will give you more control in terms of the blurry background and depth of field.
For Which Fields Of Photography Are Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65 Suitable?
If you are interested in photography or has made a career in this field, you should know that different types of shooting actually require different camera characteristics. While one model can produce outstanding portraits, at the same time, it can be terrible for shooting landscapes, and so on. Thus, before you purchase a specific camera, it is vital to decide, which type of shooting you do most often and consider an option that suits it the most.
This section of our comparison is devoted to the performance of Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65 in different fields of photography. Here we are going to look at the five main areas and evaluate how well each of the reviewed models performs in them. This will help you choose an option that suits your needs the most depending on your interest in one or several of these fields.
| Photography Type | Nikon D600 | Sony SLT-A65 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait Photography |
|
|
| Street Photography |
|
|
| Sports Photography |
|
|
| Daily Photography |
|
|
| Landscape Photography |
|
|
Nikon D600 for Portrait Photography
Advantages:
- Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Face Detection Focusing
Disadvantages:
- You might not like Nikon skintone
- No Image Stabilization
Sony SLT-A65 for Portrait Photography
Advantages:
- Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Image Stabilization
- Face Detection Focusing
Disadvantages:
No Significant DisadvantagesNikon D600 for Street Photography
Advantages:
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Large Full frame(35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
- Big battery life (900 shots)
Disadvantages:
- Big size (141 x 113 x 82 mm)
- No Image Stabilization
Sony SLT-A65 for Street Photography
Advantages:
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Fully Articulated Screen
- Image Stabilization
- Large APS-C(23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Disadvantages:
- Big size (132 x 97 x 81 mm)
Nikon D600 for Sports Photography
Advantages:
- Environmental Sealing
- Nice Low Light ISO (2980)
- Big size (141 x 113 x 82 mm)
Disadvantages:
- Slow Continuous Shooting (5.5 fps)
- Slow Max Shutter Speed (1/4000s)
- Smal Number of autofocus Points (39)
- Small Number of CrossFocus Points (9)
- Bad Max Native ISO (6400)
Sony SLT-A65 for Sports Photography
Advantages:
- Big size (132 x 97 x 81 mm)
Disadvantages:
- Slow Continuous Shooting (10.0 fps)
- No Environmental Sealing
- Slow Max Shutter Speed (1/4000s)
- Smal Number of autofocus Points (15)
- Small Number of CrossFocus Points (3)
- Bad Low Light ISO (717)
- Small battery life (560 shots)
Nikon D600 for Daily Photography
Advantages:
- Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
- Built-in Flash
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Wireless Connectivity
- Video is available
Disadvantages:
- Big weight (850 g)
- Big size (141 x 113 x 82 mm)
Sony SLT-A65 for Daily Photography
Advantages:
- Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
- Built-in Flash
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Wireless Connectivity
- Video is available
Disadvantages:
- Big weight (622 g)
- Big size (132 x 97 x 81 mm)
Nikon D600 for Landscape Photography
Advantages:
- Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Good Dynamic Range (14.2)
- Environmental Sealing
- Live View
- RAW Support
- Nice Low Light ISO (2980)
Disadvantages:
- Bad Max Native ISO (6400)
Sony SLT-A65 for Landscape Photography
Advantages:
- Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Good Dynamic Range (12.6)
- Live View
- RAW Support
Disadvantages:
- No Environmental Sealing
- Bad Low Light ISO (717)
Comparison of Nikon D600 vs Sony SLT-A65: Final Verdict
Hopefully, our detailed overview of these models has helped you consider all the main specs, pros and cons of each cameras. Maybe, after reading this comparison, some of you have already decided which option to opt for depending on your needs and preferences. However, if you are still wondering which option is a better choice, Nikon D600 or Sony SLT-A65, below you can see what scores each of them received in five different aspects. To wrap up, we have used our unique Decision Algorithm that assesses different camera models upon 63 different factors including their price, and, if possible, DxO Mark scores. This algorithm allows us to make our verdict more consistent and objective.
What is our final verdict? Based on our comparison and the final scores of Nikon D600 and Sony SLT-A65 here is what we can say in conclusion:
According all the factors that we considered in the process of comparing these two cameras, Nikon D600 deserves a higher Total Score than the Sony SLT-A65. Thus, if you are choosing between these options, we would recommend you to choose the first model over the other one.
Nikon D600 vs Sony SLT-A65 Table Of Technical Specs
For better understanding of each model’s technical characteristics, find the detailed comparison below:
| Nikon D600 | Sony SLT-A65 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand | Nikon | Sony |
| Model | D600 | SLT-A65 |
| Announced | Nov 13, 2012 | Nov 15, 2011 |
| Body Type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Full frame | APS-C |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 24 mm | 23.5 x 15.6 mm |
| Sensor Area | 861.60 mm2 | 366.60 mm2 |
| Sensor Resolution | 24.0 MP | 24.0 MP |
| Max Image Resolution | 6016 x 4016 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Max Native ISO | 6,400 | 12,800 |
| Max Boosted ISO | 25,600 | 25,600 |
| Min Native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW Support |  |
|
| Lens | ||
| Manual Focus | |
|
| Lens Mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Number of Lenses | 287 | 141 |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 1x | 1.5x |
| Macro Focus Range | ||
| AutoFocus | ||
| AF Touch |  |
|
| AF Continuous | |
|
| AF Single | |
|
| AF Tracking | |
|
| AF Selective | |
|
| AF Center | |
|
| AF Multi Area | |
|
| AF Live View | |
|
| AF Face Detection | |
|
| AF Contrast Detection | |
|
| AF Phase Detection | |
|
| Number of Focus Points | 39 | 15 |
| Number of Cross Focus Points | 9 | 3 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen Type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Screen Size | 3.2″ | 3″ |
| Screen Resolution | 921k dots | 921k dots |
| Live View | |
|
| Touch Screen | |
|
| ViewFinder | ||
| ViewFinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
| ViewFinder Resolution | 0k dots | 2,359k dots |
| ViewFinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| ViewFinder Magnification | 0.7 | 0.73 |
| Photography Features | ||
| Min Shutter Speed | 30 s | 30 s |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 s | 1/4000 s |
| Continuous Shooting | 5.5 fps | 10.0 fps |
| Shutter Priority | |
|
| Aperture Priority | |
|
| Manual Exposure Mode | |
|
| Exposure Compensation | |
|
| Custom White Balance | |
|
| Image Stabilization | |
|
| Built-in Flash | |
|
| Flash Range | 12 | 10 |
| Flash Modes | Auto, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External Flash | |
|
| AE Bracketing | |
|
| WB Bracketing | |
|
| Exposure Modes | ||
| Multi-Segment | |
|
| Average | |
|
| Spot | |
|
| Partial | |
|
| AF-Area | |
|
| Center Weighted | |
|
| DxO Sensor Scores | ||
| DxO Sensor Score | 94 | 74 |
| DxO Color Depth | 25.1 | 23.4 |
| DxO Dynamic Range | 14.2 | 12.6 |
| DxO Low Light ISO | 2980 | 717 |
| Video Features | ||
| Video Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Max Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Video Formats | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Microphone Port | |
|
| Headphone Port | |
|
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless Connectivity | |
|
| HDMI | |
|
| USB | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental Sealing | |
|
| Water Proof | |
|
| Dust Proof | |
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| Shock Proof | |
|
| Crush Proof | |
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| Freeze Proof | |
|
| Weight | 850 g | 622 g |
| Physical Dimensions | 141 x 113 x 82 mm | 132 x 97 x 81 mm |
| Battery Life | 900 shots | 560 shots |
| Battery Type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Model | EN-EL15 | NP-FM500H |
| Other Features | ||
| Self Timer | |
|
| Timelapse Recording | |
|
| GPS | Optional | Built-in |
| Storage Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage Slots | 2 | 1 |
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