Sony a7S II vs Nikon D600

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S II and Nikon D600. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7S II is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D600 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a7S II were released 2015 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 a7S II 2015
Nikon D600 2012

Type of camera

Sony a7S II is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D600 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a7S II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 a7S II 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 a7S II 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832
Nikon D600 24,3 MP
24160256 pixels
6016 x 4016

Nikon D600 has a 101 % larger resolution than Sony a7S II. 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 a7S II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D600. Sony a7S II has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon D600 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7S II 100-102400
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 a7S II
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 a7S II 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 a7S II 5
Nikon D600 5,5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a7S II and Nikon D600 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 21% heavier than Sony a7S II and its 627 gr (or 1.38 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7S II 627 gr
1.38 lb
Nikon D600 760 gr
1.68 lb

Sony a7S II vs Nikon D600 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S II 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 a7S II
Nikon D600
Name Sony a7S II Nikon D600
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7S II
Nikon D600
Release Year 2015 2012
Release Date 2015-09-11 2012-09-13
MSRP 2999 USD 2099 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7S II
Nikon D600
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7S II
Nikon D600
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 6016 x 4016 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 24,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a7S II
Nikon D600
ISO Range 100 - 102400 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 10 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5 axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7S II
Nikon D600
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
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 169 39
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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 a7S II
Nikon D600
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 1228800 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT-LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7S II
Nikon D600
Frames per second 5 fps 5,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7S II
Nikon D600
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a7S II
Nikon D600
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7S II
Nikon D600
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Optional with WU-1B mobile adapter
Remote Control Yes (wired or smartphone) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless )
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7S II
Nikon D600
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 370 shots 900 shots
Width 127 mm 141 mm
Height 96 mm 113 mm
Depth 60 mm 82 mm
Weight 627 gram 760 gram