Nikon D600 vs Nikon D500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D600 and Nikon D500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D600 were released 2012 and Nikon D500 was released 2016. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D600 2012
Nikon D500 2016

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D600 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D500 has a "Nikon DX"-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 D600 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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 D600 has a 24,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D500 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D600 24,3 MP
24160256 pixels
6016 x 4016
Nikon D500 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Nikon D600 has a 17 % larger resolution than Nikon D500. 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 D500 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D600. Nikon D500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D600 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D600 100-6400
Nikon D500 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D600
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D600 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D600 5,5
Nikon D500 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D600 and Nikon D500 can shoot movies.

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 D500 weighs 860 gr (equal to 1.9 lb) which is 13% heavier than Nikon D600 and its 760 gr (or 1.68 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D600 760 gr
1.68 lb
Nikon D500 860 gr
1.9 lb

Nikon D600 vs Nikon D500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D600 and Nikon D500, 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 D600
Nikon D500
Name Nikon D600 Nikon D500
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
Release Year 2012 2016
Release Date 2012-09-13 2016-01-05
MSRP 2099 USD 1999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6016 x 4016 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 24,3 MP 21 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 EXPEED 5
Image
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
ISO Range 100 - 6400 100 - 51200
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 + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 39 153
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3,2” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
Frames per second 5,5 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Optional with WU-1B mobile adapter
Yes
Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless ) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D600
Nikon D500
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots 1240 shots
Width 141 mm 147 mm
Height 113 mm 115 mm
Depth 82 mm 81 mm
Weight 760 gram 860 gram