Nikon D600 vs Canon EOS 500D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D600 and Canon EOS 500D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D600

Canon EOS 500D

Manufacturing

Nikon D600 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 500D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D600 were released 2012 and Canon EOS 500D was released 2009. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D600	2012
Canon EOS 500D	2009

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 Canon EOS 500D has a "Canon APS-C"-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
Canon EOS 500D	80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D600 has a 24,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 500D has 15,1 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
Canon EOS 500D	15,1 MP 15054336 pixels 4752 x 3168

Nikon D600 has a 60 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 500D. 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

Canon EOS 500D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D600. Canon EOS 500D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D600 has 100 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D600	100-6400
Canon EOS 500D	100-12800

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 Canon EOS 500D

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 Canon EOS 500D can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D600	5,5
Canon EOS 500D	3,4

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D600 and Canon EOS 500D 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 D600 weighs 760 gr (equal to 1.68 lb) which is 46% heavier than Canon EOS 500D and its 520 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D600	760 gr 1.68 lb
Canon EOS 500D	520 gr 1.15 lb