Sony a500 vs Nikon D600

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Nikon D600. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D600 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a500 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
Sony a500 2009
Nikon D600 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a500 has a "Sony APS-C"-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 **
Sony a500 75 mm
Sony APS-C 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a500 has a 12 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
Sony a500 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Nikon D600 24,3 MP
24160256 pixels
6016 x 4016

Nikon D600 has a 99 % larger resolution than Sony a500. 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

Sony a500 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D600. Sony a500 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Nikon D600 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a500 200-12800
Nikon D600 100-6400

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 Sony a500
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. Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D600 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a500 5
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 Sony a500 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 21% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb
Nikon D600 760 gr
1.68 lb

Sony a500 vs Nikon D600 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a500 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
Sony a500
Nikon D600
Name Sony a500 Nikon D600
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a500
Nikon D600
Release Year 2009 2012
Release Date 2009-08-27 2012-09-13
MSRP 549 USD 2099 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a500
Nikon D600
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a500
Nikon D600
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 6016 x 4016 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 24,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a500
Nikon D600
ISO Range 200 - 12800 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a500
Nikon D600
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 39
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (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
Sony a500
Nikon D600
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 230000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes 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
Sony a500
Nikon D600
Frames per second 5 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 +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a500
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
Sony a500
Nikon D600
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a500
Nikon D600
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with WU-1B mobile adapter
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless )
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a500
Nikon D600
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 520 shots 900 shots
Width 137 mm 141 mm
Height 104 mm 113 mm
Depth 84 mm 82 mm
Weight 630 gram 760 gram