These full-frame snappers will give you
pro results minus the pro price tag. But which is best?
Canon EOS 6D
Price: $2,700 (body only)
What is it?
Until recently, the idea of a full-frame
Canon at this price was unthinkable but it turns out there’s a Porcine Aviation
Society after all. The EOS 6D packs an all-new 20.2MP sensor, a GPS receiver so
you can add location data and Wi-Fi for direct uploading of pics to a computer,
tablet or social-media site. Contrary to the fun factor of it having a Facebook
connection, though, is the lack of built-in flash, which perhaps points to more
professional aspirations. Is it any good?
Until
recently, the idea of a full-frame Canon at this price was unthinkable but it
turns out there’s a Porcine Aviation Society after all.
Despite being only a teensy bit smaller
than the D600, the Canon feels more compact and less dressed for action whether
that’s a good or bad thing is up to you. The 11-point autofocus may sound
sorely lacking compared to the Nikon’s 39-pointer, but it’s actually a little
faster and more accurate in low light. Talking of low-light performance, the
sensor goes down to ISO 25,600 with very little noise, although detail gets a
bit soft and mushy at those heady heights. At lower ISO settings, the D600 just
has the edge on picture quality. Where the 6D excels is at video capture,
taking superb movies with oodles of detail and realistic colors. The default
record button is more sensibly placed than it is on the D600, too.
Where
the 6D excels is at video capture, taking superb movies with oodles of detail
and realistic colors.
An amazing camera with great connectivity
and supreme video skills.
TECH
·
20.2MP CMOS full-frame sensor
·
3in LCD
·
100-25,600 ISO
·
4.5fps continuous shooting
·
11-point autofocus
·
1080p@30fps video
·
144.5x110.5x71mm
·
755g
Nikon D600
Price: $2,932 (body only)
Website: europe-nikon.com
What is it?
The D800’s little bro packs most of the same
awesomeness, but with a more manageable number of megapixels and a more
palatable price. On paper there’s a ton of power per pound, with that 24MP
full-frame sensor, a built-in flash, dual SD card slots, 39-point autofocus,
5.5fps continuous shooting... The list goes on and on, so it’s clear that Nikon
wasn’t pulling any punches with this one. And despite the higher price, it can
be had for well below RRP.
The
list goes on and on, so it’s clear that Nikon wasn’t pulling any punches with
this one.
Is it any good?
Nikon may have chosen not to position the
D600 in its pro line-up, but there’s nothing remotely amateur about the way
this camera looks and feels. Everything about it is sturdy and solid, with the
screen protector on the main LCD especially shouting that this snapper means
business. And the photo-taking performance doesn’t disappoint. The D600 is
particularly adept in decent light, laying down vibrant colors and ultra-fine
detail, aided by accurate autofocus. Even up to ISO 6400 noise is reasonably
well controlled, and sharpness is excellent. As ever, Nikon’s approach to
controls is quite different to Canon’s, and neither is right or wrong – you’ll
get used to either. That said, the D600’s video record button does seem oddly
placed to us.
A feature-packed full-framer that’s ready
and willing for action.
The
D600 is particularly adept in decent light, laying down vibrant colors and
ultra-fine detail, aided by accurate autofocus.
TECH
·
24.3MP CMOS full-frame
·
3.2in LCD
·
100-6400 ISO
·
5.5fps continuous shooting
·
39-point autofocus
·
1080p@30fps video
·
141x113x82mm
·
850g
