The Nikon D600 is a 'budget' full-frame DSLR aimed at enthusiasts upgrading from mid-range models or pros looking for an affordable backup for a higher-end body. Announced in September 2012, it's positioned roughly between the full-frame D800 and crop-format D7000 and combines many aspects of both...

24.3 Megapixel FX CMOS sensor; 39-point AF with 9 cross-type sensors; 5.5fps full-frame continuous shooting; Compatible with DX lenses; 1080p30 and uncompressed HDMI out; Built-in AF motor for non AF-S lenses

Resolution drops to 10.5 MPix in DX mode; No exposure control during movie recording; Bracketing limited to 3 frames; Wifi and GPS are separate accessories

The Nikon D600 is one of the most affordable full-frame DSLRs ever, so is it the camera we've all been waiting for?

Excellent image quality; price; handling

AF points biased towards the centre of the frame

The Nikon D600 is a full frame, mid-size DSLR with a 24.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor, targeting enthusiast photographers.

Outstanding stills with lush "analog" feel; Excellent low-light shooting; As sophisticated; flexible as you want it to be

Even "affordable" full-frame cameras are still very expensive; Heavy; bulky; Delivers quality movies but not the finest available

Prior to the release of the Nikon D600 ($2,099.95 direct, body only), full-frame cameras were marketed squarely at pro shooters. Well-heeled enthusiasts might put hard-earned dollars towards a D800 , Canon EOS 5D Mark III , or even a Nikon D4 , but those cameras are packed with features that...

No GPS, Wi-Fi, or PC Sync socket; Compressed control layout; Must initiate autofocus manually during video recording

Nikon's last big DSLR release was the D800. The big news with that camera was its pixel count of 36MP, which when it was released, comfortably eclipsed everything else around (and at the time of writing still does).

Outstanding low and high ISO performance in both JPEG and Raw files; High quality JPEG images at default settings; Wide dynamic range Raw files; Consistently pleasing metering and white balance results; Very solid build quality and good ergonomics / handling; Fast; responsive camera when adjusting

Small coverage area of AF array compared to its peers; Slow AF in live view and video modes (but good compared to its DSLR competitors; Rear LCD prone to glare in bright sunlight; despite new design; Uncompressed video output over HDMI is not full frame; with black borders around image area; No

Getting closer to the mainstream 35mm SLR, Nikon's D600 carries a lower price than any full-frame predecessor, and delivers the high image quality you'd expect from a Nikon full-frame camera. With an interface more like the D7000 than the D300, the D600 is tuned for the enthusiast photographer.

Comfortable control layout; Great grip; Power switch perfectly positioned; Supports older; screw-drive lenses; Mode and Drive dials lock in place; Focuses well in low light; Very high resolution with superb detail; Excellent high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Quieter shutter (than other

Dust and oil-spatter problem (may go away with time; Second function button oddly placed; Phase-detect AF points are limited to the center of the frame; Moiré can be a problem in certain circumstances; Zooming in greater than 100% in Live view mode slows down refresh rate; Slower X-sync speed; Kit

Some of the D800's best extras carry over to the cheaper D600: One feature the D600 gets that the D800 doesn't: It's compatible with a $60 Wi-Fi adapter that lets you wirelessly send images to your iPhone, iPad or Android device, or use your device as a remote control to snap a photo.

Full-frame sensor for less; Beautifully detailed images; Great features and usability

Pricier pro cameras outshine its autofocus; dynamic range; Partly plastic body

The D800's little brother is a perfect choice for those with full frame aspirations.

Spectacular image quality; Faster than the D800; Sharp and flexible video

Inaccurate white balancing

It's a pity the Nikon D600's larger sensor commands such a price premium over the Nikon D7000, but assuming it sees the kind of price reductions that the D800 has undergone, we're in for a treat.

The much-anticipated Nikon D600 ($2100) is a new prosumer DSLR that provides a similar, albeit slightly watered-down set of specs compared to the lauded D800 for roughly a grand less, while also undercutting the competition from Canon and Sony .