Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D600
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3000 and Nikon D600. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.
Nikon D3000 were released 2009 and Nikon D600 was released 2012. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon D3000 | 2009 |
Nikon D600 | 2012 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3000 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Nikon D600 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Nikon D3000 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D600 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Nikon D3000 has a 10,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D600 has 24,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Nikon D3000 |
10,2 MP
10036224 pixels 3872 x 2592 |
Nikon D600 |
24,3 MP
24160256 pixels 6016 x 4016 |
Nikon D600 has a 141 % larger resolution than Nikon D3000. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Nikon D600 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3000. Nikon D600 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Nikon D3000 has 100 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon D3000 | 100-3200 |
Nikon D600 | 100-6400 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D600 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3000 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3000 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3000
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D600
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3000 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D600 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon D3000 | 3 |
Nikon D600 | 5,5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D600. Sadly, the Nikon D3000 does not support this.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Nikon D600 weighs 760 gr (equal to 1.68 lb) which is 42% heavier than Nikon D3000 and its 536 gr (or 1.18 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon D3000 | 536 gr 1.18 lb |
Nikon D600 | 760 gr 1.68 lb |
Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D600 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3000 and Nikon D600, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
Name | Nikon D3000 | Nikon D600 |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
Release Year | 2009 | 2012 |
Release Date | 2009-07-30 | 2012-09-13 |
MSRP | 599 USD | 2099 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
Sensor Size |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | CCD | CMOS |
Resolution | 3872 x 2592 pixels | 6016 x 4016 pixels |
Megapixels | 10,2 MP | 24,3 MP |
Image Processor | EXPEED | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
ISO Range | 100 - 3200 | 100 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 12 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No | No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
Autofocus Motor | No | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 11 | 39 |
Lens Mount |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
FX (Full frame) No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 230000 | 921000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD |
Live view | No | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) | 0.7× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
Frames per second | 3 fps | 5,5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
Video recording | No | Yes |
Video format | N/A |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution | N/A |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | Yes |
Storage |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
HDMI Output | No | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Yes Optional with WU-1B mobile adapter |
Remote Control |
Yes (Optional ML-L3)
|
Yes (Optional, wired or wireless ) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D3000 |
Nikon D600 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion EN-EL9a rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 500 shots | 900 shots |
Width | 126 mm | 141 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 113 mm |
Depth | 64 mm | 82 mm |
Weight | 536 gram | 760 gram |