TECHNOLOGY
“Thanks to multiple processing units, the EXPEED 3 image engine can perform several tasks in parallel”
Inside a full-frame DSLR The tech in the Nikon D600 that allows for wide-angle photography D600 teardown We break open Nikon’s D600 to examine its advanced components
CMOS sensor The D600 boasts a full-frame 35.9 x 24mm (1.4 x 0.9in) sensor with 24.7mn total pixels. It can deliver a maximum image resolution of 6,016 x 4,016px.
The D600 is a new DSLR camera from Nikon that is designed to deliver the performance of a full-frame professional model but at a lower price point. The full-frame capability – see the ‘What does “full frame” mean?’ boxout for more information – comes courtesy of a 35.9 x 24-millimetre (1.4 x 0.9-inch) complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor capable of generating images up to 24.3 megapixels. This contrasts to other models in its price range that tend to feature cropped, half or quarter-frame sensors. This is due to the traditionally high cost of full-frame sensors, which generally has resulted in fewer being manufactured per silicon wafer. Images captured by the full-frame sensor are processed by an EXPEED 3 image engine. This is a multi-CPU media processor that can handle a range of tasks such as colour reproduction, gradation processing, image sharpening, gamma correction and compression. Thanks to the multiple processing units, the EXPEED 3 image engine is capable of performing several tasks in parallel, enabling the camera to shoot at up to 5.5 frames per second (fps). Arguably the D600’s most important feature though – compared with other high-end full-frame cameras – is its compact design (14.2 x 11.2 x 8.1 centimetres/5.6 x 4.4 x 3.2 inches) and low weight; eg the D600 weighs in close to 200 grams (seven ounces) lighter than the Canon 5D Mark III. This has been achieved in a number of ways including integrating dual SD card slots instead of a CompactFlash (CF) port, as well as smaller internal chipsets and boards.
050 | How It Works
Power board One of two boards that control the distribution of electrical power between the camera’s components.
The statistics… Nikon D600 Type: DSLR Weight (body only): 760g (26.8oz) Sensor type: CMOS Effective pixels: 24.3mn Maximum image size: 6,016 x 4,016px Shutter speed range: 1/4,000 to 30 seconds Max shooting speed: 5.5 fps ISO range: 100–6,400
LCD segment driver The LCD segment driver reduces load on the D600’s processing units, handling all screen operations.
Battery A 7V, 1,900mAh lithiumion cell provides about 900 shots per charge.
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