Dpreview posted the full Nikon D600 review. They repeat that “the D600’s sensor is built by Sony, and similar (if not mechanically identical) to the one used in the A99 and RX1 but Nikon insists that it is built to its (Nikon’s) own specifications.”
They also say the: “Nikon significantly undercuts the price of Sony’s recent full-frame offerings – the SLT-A99 and Cyber-shot RX1.” While on paper this is correct we also have to add that:
1) The RX1 price already includes a high quality fixed Zeiss lens! The Nikon D600 is priced at $2100 body only. And beside that the RX1 is a completely different kind of camera…
2) …And so is the Sony A99 that focuses on hybrid still/video performance (and has a weather-sealed body).
Don’t know yet if Sony will ever release a sort of A8x camera with less features to play in the same Nikon D600 and Canon 6D league. Both are selling well according to Amazon (here is the ranking).
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The RX1 can be pre ordered at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
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Some more bits: Nigel Barker at Discovery Sony. A size comparison with other Alpha cameras by Skygon.
51 Responses
But why the RX1 costs in Germany 3099€??? While in USA 2798$!
Take your 3100 Euros, buy a plane ticket to New York, book a room at a decent hotel, and buy a new RX1 and test it out in Manhattan. You might actually come out ahead.
🙂 good idea… But I need European warranty. Don’t want to go to newyork again if something happens:-(
When this camera comes out I think the price will fall shortly under 2500€, I hope:-)
Finally you call a low-cost-A9x “A8x”, not “A95” anymore, thanks for listening ;)…
😉
the d600 is also weather sealed
So I have the A99 and I’ll take the Pepsi challenge with the D600 any day of the week and twice on Thursday. So the D600 is what, $700 cheaper? The Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 is $400 more than the Sony 70-200 G. Then you buy 1-2 Nikkor lenses with the VR feature at a $300-400 premium. Now you’ve broken even. Of course, you don’t have to worry about stabilizing lenses when you’ve stabilized the body.
Except that lens-based stabilization is more effect at longer focal lengths compared to sensor-shifty.
Also, with a close-focus distance of 4′, the Sony 70-200 could certainly use an update. With no IS to fuss about what is the excuse for the poor close focus abilities? Still probably not as bad as Nikon 70-200II, which is just pathetic in that regard.
I can tell you from experience, outside a lab test there is no difference between sensor and optical stabilisation.
lol really? sensor shift, pellicle, evf… are all toys made from sony playstation. A99 is a flagship camera so compare it with an 1dx and pray 😉 sony is so goooooooooooooooood :-p ahhaha
Bring your weak 1DX to my house and we’ll compare. I’ll take my A99 and a 6 inch stack of one dollar bills, and you bring your 1DX and we’ll both have spent the same amount of too much money on something because I sure don’t need a 6 inch stack of one dollar bills.
“Except that lens-based stabilization is more effect at longer focal lengths compared to sensor-shifty.”
That’s true. Based on my experiences my E-M5, Lens-based stabilization is much more effective for tele-photo lens.
They I think we need to enjoy our quality telephoto Sigma lenses with build-in image stabilization. Especially new 120-300mm which offers more adjustments then any Canon or Nikon lens ever build.
Im actually looking to upgrade to full frame from a DX sensor, so we’re talking all new glass. A new a99 with 70-200, 24-70, and batt grip is about $520 more expensive than the same kit with a D600. However, you don’t have stabilization on the 24-70, no gps built in, no focus peaking, a99 has a longer shutter life, full magnesium alloy body better video features. Also d600 has crummier flash synch, and no 1/8000 sec. Also if you’re like me and need F2 and 1.4 glass like the 24mm and 35mm then the savings of going with nikon really start to disappear. The only reason I havent switched yet is i still have good nikon glass to sell.
I need a photo-camera.
I do not want video.
I am a photographer.
Sony does not want to understand it.
Which part of the a99 prohibits you from taking photos? The video features will not bite you.
I think he meant from the price point of view.
toys like the xlr input and external recording comes to mind. without this the cam should cost a few hundred quid less. I will never need that which means I will never concider a a99 unless i have bucketload of cash to burn.
It’s not like they force you to buy the XLR mic adaptor.
…and if you don’t press the movie button it’ll only ever be a “photo camera”.
Wake up, Vlad… it’s 2012 and not 1973…
they ALL have video now.
If anything, compared to the NEX-7 where I have hit that record button far too many times for my liking, the A99 makes the video feature much less of an issue. AND that standard hotshoe means I am recycling my radio remotes without an issue.
Dpreviev is right, Nikon significantly undercuts Sony prices, at least here in Europe. A few days ago I checked the best prices in Germany (via http://www.geizhals.at/de).
A99: 2794 Euro
D800: 2339 Euro
D600: 1794 Euro
All prices include 19% VAT.
Both Nikons include optical viewfinder and and the swing mirror. Both parts were declared as expensive by Sony. Now Sony got rid of them and even D800 is 460 Euro cheaper than A99. I know, prices in the US are different, but here in Europe A99 is financially not competive to Nikons DSLRs / overpriced.
Just think how much the A99 would have been with the prism and flippy mirror then. 😀
A99 has a ton more features than the D600. Why doesn’t anyone see that? A99 has a fully articulating LCD screen with 300,000 more pixels despite being 3.0 inches (vs. 3.2 inches on the D600). A99 has a built-in GPS. The Nikon GPS is $265. A faster high-end shutter speed. A faster burst. Built-in stabilization for both photos and movies. Higher quality framerate on videos. And video provided by a company who knows videos. Everyone compares the 2800 vs. 2100, but they’re not comparing apples to apples. They’re comparing steak to hamburgers. You’re going to pay less for an inferior product. End of story.
I did not write about D600 only, which is 1000 Euro cheaper than A99 (price difference is one A77!). Even the better feastured (much better AF) D800 is 460 Euro cheaper than A99, in spite of OVF and flip mirror.
Video implementation is mainly software (that has to be developed of course), but I want a photo camera and not a videocam (I don’t complain about video, but I don’t need it).
Exactly, Vladimir.
If I wanted to take movies, I would buy a dedicated compact movie camera which is made for the job, not a stills camera with the extra facility.
The problem with Sony is that they are concentrating on making stills cameras for the movie addicts rather than making a proper stills camera and getting the firmware right for getting the best pictures out of the camera. They are letting other manufacturers run rings round them with their own sensors.
I, for one will think more than twice about buying ANYTHING Sony again because they have no concern about their existing users. They know the A65 and A77 has a poor Jpeg engine, ISO and sensor noise but refuse to do anything to help us….except for pushing out new cameras all the time.
Yes, other manufacturers cameras have problems which may or may not get resolved, but at least they do have good Jpeg engines and other picture firmware. Sony have some great innovations, I do love my A65, but they need someone who understands photography and picture results to get the firmware right.
Sony, give us some proper firmware updates for the A65/A77. I didn’t even bother uploading the last movie button/lens firmware you put out…it wasn’t worth the effort.
Ironic that Sony release a firmware for people who don’t want to press the movie button and you don’t install it…
Well said, Fred…
Nikon D600 has a weather-sealed body.
True, but it has no IBIS, only 1/4000s, slow LiveView/CDAF, non-articulated LCD, lower res LCD, mono mic, no GPS… Anyway, good to have choices, but we still need a cheaper Sony A8x.
Nikon never uses IBIS. They always use lens-based stabilization like Panasonic, Canon. This is not advantage or disadvantage. It’s about the approach they used to handle shaking. In fact, both IBIS and lens-based stabilization have pros and cons.
1/4000 ? You can use ISO50.
It is a pretty big con when lots of lenses don’t have it! Also look at Canon, they charge a packet for lenses with IS such as the 24mm, 28mm and 35mm which are ridiculously expensive.
Tell you what, price up a system with say 3 primes and 2 zooms, you can choose any lenses you like so long as they are compatible (ie available for the mount and full frame) and all lenses have to have IS and compare. The in body IS to me is worth the price of admission alone (price difference that is), the rest of the benefits are just gravy.
Who cares, what does it prove that Sony “manufacturers” sensors for Nikon?
You’re beating a dead horse, and this helps Sony readers how?
Just bought a Nex 6, and own a D800, so who cares that Sony produces the sensor for a Nikon camera?
All I care about is great glass, a full system and upgrade path through the years, and pleasing clients, none of which have ever asked who makes the sensor in my camera.
Agreed. Nikon isn’t the enemy… Canon is!
and Holga users
Well said
Me too, I’ve never cared who made a sensor in my camera. What matters is the outputs.
Considering the widespread dust on the D600 sensor problem is (even dpreview noticed it), the weather sealing is certainly worth some premium over the D600. Also I highly value the nice evf but I know there are folks who don’t.
Not so sure where the dust comes from, read that some people believe it comes from inside the camera (shutter housing).
Anyway having the dust is a stinker no matter where it comes from so you still have a point.
At the moment the weather sealing seems nice but not more than that given the fact that the lenses generally are not. I think this will change though so you will probably have a good point some time in the future.
It’s not about “weather-sealed”. It is an internal problem. Pershap small debris or particles
They are forgetting one very important feature: SHUTTER LIFE.
The A99 shutter life is 200,000 cycles vs 100,000 cycles on the D600, so you’ll be able to take twice as many photos with A99, and that’s worth paying for.
This being said, I must admit, I was one of the skeptics before I got my A99. I was really worried about using EVF for studio work, and I really believed I might sell everything and jump ship to Nikon for the D800.
However, since I got my A99, I have been absolutely blown away with the performance. It’s been equally amazing working with studio strobes and natural light. I fell in love with the EVF and am excited to try it out on some video assignments.
Now I’m planning on selling my second A900 and buying a second A99.
Just looked at dpreview. They have A99 shots in the ISO comparison section to compare (I’m looking at Image Q Compared RAW). To my eye, A99 does not look as good as D600 (more color noise). It seems better than Nikon D800 and close to Canon 5d Mark III.
Dear people new to Sony and those who are simply delusional:
Sony DSLR (SLT) gear is the highest price of the big brands, has always been, and probably always will be. This is just the way Sony is. Get used to or get out.
Is it? Last time I checked the 7D and D300(s) are still more expensive than the A-77. Then add the Sony 16-50/2.8, which is much cheaper than the Nikon/Canon 15-55/2.8, you end up spending lot less for newer gear.
Stopped by the Sony Store yesterday to put my hands on a a99 and actually look through the view finder. Not impressed! I’m glad I canceled my order for a a99 after reading Luminous landscapes negative review of the view finder. I really wanted to buy this camera. But it’s just not enough of a upgrade from my a900 and the view finder sucked in my opinion.
I am a buyer.
I want the photo-camera off.
I do not need a hybrid machines.
I am still a photographer.
Why do you think the majority would prefer no video??
The Video is not getting in the way of you taking photos and doesn’t make the
camera less of a camera.
What if some would like film instead of a sensor , should Sony drop digital and go back?
well buy a medium format camera and a decent digital back 🙂 or an Alpha 900
I would love to see Sony creating a film camera! I would buy it in a heartbeat. Something like the Nikon F6 but then way more advanced in an A900 style body would be amazing!
A99 RAW IMAGE SAMPLES ARE NOW ON DPREVIEW
Link?
The difference in dynamics and 3d between the D600 and A99 is big. I went from Nikon to Sony. It was the best thing I’ve ever done. The A99 is also very good in video. I come from the V20, but the A99 has a lot better image
quality. And it is also much more easy to use.