(UPDATED_2) Quesabesde: Sony A99 versus Nikon D600…
Image courtesy: Quesabesde (UPDATE: wrong focus point on the A99 picture?)
Although Nikon dind’t officially unveil the sensor manufacturer it’s easy to guess that Sony manufactured the D600 sensor. And it’s likely based (or exactly the same) sensor used by the Sony A99.
Quesabesde (Translation here) analyzed the RAW image quality of the two cameras and came it looks like the Nikon D600 is a bit sharper although the A99 has a more harmonic balance between noise and details (so they say). But…
UDPATE: ….Our smart SAR readers had the patience to analyze the full size images and noticed that the in focus point is different for the two cameras. Our reader Ramire proved it by showing the focus point of the bill here:
Now the A99 looks to be sharper than the Nikon D600 
As you see, always be careful on these reviews and tests.
UPDATE_2: Quesabesde assured me that the camera showed that the focus point was right. So these may be a problem of the A99 with Sigma lens. They will redo the test now.
A particular Thanks goes to all the SAR readers finding out the problem! Bravo!
—
Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE-UK-FR-IT-ES-NL-SE-FI-CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE-UK-FR-IT-ES-NL-SE-FI-CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE-UK-FR-IT-ES-NL-SE-FI-CH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE-UK-FR-IT-ES-NL-SE-FI-CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE-UK-FR-IT-ES-NL-SE-FI-CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE-UK-FR-IT-ES-NL-SE-FI-CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE-UK-FR-IT-ES-NL-SE-FI-CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE-UK-FR-IT-ES-NL-SE-FI-CH.
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LEdgars
8 months ago |Pixel-peepers celebrate every new camera anouncement…
zinkplated
8 months ago |Thats sad. Comparing the A99 to the cheaper downmarket Nikon competitor? why not compare it with the D800?
Esstee
8 months ago |The A99 and D600 share the same sensor.
The D800 is a new breed altogether. Though rumor has it that Sony will release a 36 and 50mp body in spring which I think will be better posed to compete.
Dave Cox
8 months ago |Comparing apples with apples is sad? You are right, we should be comparing apples with horses.
Beachrider
8 months ago |The 600 does lack many key features of the 99, it is just a question of what-your-lens-investment is worth and the usefulness to you of the feature differential.
I would be suspicious if two cameras with the same sensor gave different RAW output. The SLT might take away some light. There easily could be differences between the F-mount lens usage vs the A-mount.
I suppose that, since 99 isn’t released for production anywhere yet, that this isn’t on release 1.0 software, too.
Tanglefoot
8 months ago |FYI there have been deliveries of the a99 in the UK so I sure as hell hope we are on firmware v1!!!
XaviJM
8 months ago |The focal plane is different in both…a99 is focused further. See the complete images.
Puggs
8 months ago |Agree
Sky_walker
8 months ago |ahh… THEY DID IT AGAIN?! WTF…..
Seriously: It’s boring how people over and over again try to prove that SLT leads to less sharp images by showing parts of 2 photos focused on completely different points!
gaio
8 months ago |To me these samples seems as identical as the can get.
Esstee
8 months ago |Sounds interesting.
What images?
Steve
8 months ago |It’s certainly close enough to not matter a great deal which you have, but given the Nikon is much cheaper, you really have to want the A99′s alternative features a great deal to justify the extra $$.
The Lotus Eater
8 months ago |As is the case with any camera purchase. More features, higher price. Hardly rocket science.
Steve
8 months ago |In this case, not generally, is it worth the extra ? I think most people would say no and get the D600. Wait and see what the sales figures are next year and we’ll see.
PS obviously it’s not rocket science or you wouldn’t have thought of it
BKD
8 months ago |Sales figures will prove nothing – if the cameras were identical in every respect (including price but except for the badge), the Nikon would sell significantly more. So if as expected the A99 sales figures are lower than the D600 that will only prove what we already know – Canikon has by far and away the lion’s share of the DSLR market. It’s not rocket science.
Rick
8 months ago |Steadyshot with all lenses including Leica and Zeiss – something no other FF on the planet can boast – tilt LCD and 60p alone are worth the difference TO ME, add in superior AF, weather sealing, pro build, headphone jack and and so on… the D600 can’t compete. Its a much better value that the 5d3 ($650 more in the U.S.), D600 and even the D800 ($200 more in the U.S.) IMHO. Buy whatever works for you and be happy.
The endless price bashing is so played and seems to be perpetuated by those that can’t afford it or pathetically insecure CaNikon fanboi’s, try as you might the A99 resolves every bit as much detail as the D600 and has better color depth. Sony has raised the bar.
Frank
8 months ago |“Most” people would also say a super-car isn’t worth the extra money, but they’d have one if the could afford one.
The A99 is in a different league, you’d compare the A77 to the D3200 too.
If I was into full frame I’d have no hesitation paying extra for the A99 over the D600.
spaceman
8 months ago |Steve, the Nikon D4 is most probably subpar IQ-wise to both D600 and A99, but still people pay almost double the price for it for the extra features, why?
I see the problem for those who is happy with D600 feature set but have bought Sony glass. I would pay the slight premium however and get the A99 which is more pro-grade as well. If burst rate had been 10+ then A99 would have been a threat to 1DX and D4 as well.
Žele
8 months ago |It depends how you value image quality. If you aim to high ISO than D4 sensor is better than anything Sony designs. It’s not only about SNR at high ISO, noise perception at high ISO and artificial lightning is also related to DR at high ISO which is higher on D4 Nion sensor than on D600 whisch is Sony sensor.
On the other side D600 is better than D4 at low ISO because of higher MP count and because of higher DR which is good for landscapes if you are doing tone maping.
Denis
8 months ago |Sorry. Little digging with raws (D600 and D4) shew D600 is better after 12800.
Beachrider
8 months ago |The Sony-designed sensors in D800 and D600 are substantially better than the sensor in D4. According to the tests at dxomark.com.
The D4 makes its price by doing other features that Nikon-invested photogs find profitable.
The key piece is whether a99 can beat D600 in dxo. We will be looking soon…
Žele
8 months ago |No, if you shoot at artificial light because of higher RD in ahadows at hih ISO D4 is better than D600 or D800.
DxO results are scored in that way cause results are biased to DR performance at low ISO.
cazzetto
8 months ago |or you just need of not liking Nikon lenses as much as Sony. Or you just need of having a Sony system that you cannot bother with what Nikon offer even at 1 dollar….
Chris
8 months ago |The photo sharpness on pixel peeping clearly shows that D600 has a bit more detail. One difference ofcourse would be the lens which itself can cause this difference.
I know people on this forum will say the SLT mirror will cause a slight loss in detail but that is a design choice Sony made and having a more expensive less sharp camera does not make sense.
Yes … yes the 60p video that I dont really care about … oh well, no point ranting.
Esstee
8 months ago |I believe the samples were shot with the same lens
Frank
8 months ago |They are not using the SAME lens though.
Gadge
8 months ago |You Sony fanboys are to funny
Frank
8 months ago |…and people like you can’t see evidence when it is staring them in the face and slapping them with a wet fish.
Frank_B
8 months ago |Gadge = troll . . . don’t feed the trolls!
DP
8 months ago |What do you mean? Sample variation with a Sigma lens? Never!!
Beachrider
8 months ago |As to SLT reducing sharpness, you just made that up. It doesn’t do that. Others have shown that the two pix are focused on different points. If the facts don’t fit your agenda, make up your own facts.
One key thing that perplexes me. Since Sony sells this sensor as having PDAF on sensor, why doesn’t Nikon show any of this on the 600? Did they just leave those ‘wires’ hanging?
Chad
8 months ago |Simply not true. The still life had focal plane differences so rule that shot out as a valid comparison.
Take a look at the cathedral interior shot – in Raw – with the same settings between images. The A99 out resolves with comparable noise levels. Perhaps it is another focusing issue but at that distance and f stop it should not be.
Interestingly, the same shot in JPEG is better on the D600. It appears Sony still hasn’t mastered high ISO Jpeg processing.
Puggs
8 months ago |It would help if they actually got the a99 shot in focus, you can tell it is out of focus.
Nekton
8 months ago |A99 fares very well in RAW comparison. Only slightly more noise than D600 but also a bit sharper. I wonder if the D600 shot is misfocused or shaken..
Beachrider
8 months ago |There should be NO noise differential in RAW. If there is ANY, look to differences in lenses…
Chad
8 months ago |Beachrider – Nekton is correct, if you compare the interior cathedral shots in RAW with the same develop settings, the A99 noise is different. It is smaller noise artifacts compared to the D600 which to my eye appears a bit more film like. However, the A99 subsequently retains more detail so pick your poison. I’ll take the A99.
Both cameras have tremendous real life high ISO performance (based on these samples) so regardless of where the A99 lands on the DXOMark chart, this is a huge accomplishment for Sony considering the use of SLT and the rather poor high ISO performance of the last generation.
Beachrider
8 months ago |I didn’t say that he was wrong. I just advised that RAW (with the same sensor) should be identical. Others here have suggested that Sigma sample-variation should be considered as ‘variable’ between the two shots.
Chad
8 months ago |Understood, not calling you out as being “wrong”, just saying there is a difference and I don’t know if you can chalk it up to lens sample variation or not. I’m sure plenty more of these types of tests will be run…
Vlad3D
8 months ago |Yes, in synthetic test Nikon is bit sharper, but inside of cathedral Sony is *MUCH* sharper simply because of IBIS. Higher price of Sony makes sense.
Sky_walker
8 months ago |Sony doesn’t have pellicle mirror. Film mirrors are dead since Nikon F3. Get over it.
Esstee
8 months ago |What is IBIS?
zedrick
8 months ago |IBIS=In Body Image Stabilisation.
zollo
8 months ago |IBIS: In Butts I Spank
FLN
8 months ago |In the RAW comparison the lens is not focused correctly (at least to the bottle-details that is selected). If you look (pixel-peep) on the money-bill on top of the picture, the Sony A99 is sharper than the 600.
ramire
8 months ago |http://imageshack.us/a/img39/7277/comparei.png True.
Sky_walker
8 months ago |Thanks a lot for image comparison!
Kancho
8 months ago |Many people get paid to boost the sony sales.you not gona find bad words about sony on this webpage.when sony show how care about flagship a77 with useless firmware sar post “goood news”.very soon you can find a99 vs iPhone 2 just to boost other uncomplate camera from sony.not gonna work this time sony!!!
Frank
8 months ago |I think they need to increase your dosage.
Dirk
8 months ago |+1
Beachrider
8 months ago |Since this site focuses on Sony stuff, it is likely that editorial ‘spin’ favors Sony. It is NOT as though they ignore Sony issues, though.
It is really NO different on Canon or Nikon sites.
emopunk
8 months ago |Come on. It’s all right. Everything is gonna be alright. Just try to breathe normally.
BeachriderTflemingNew
8 months ago |You don’t HAVE to read the other replies. It just makes you look silly, though
Frank_B
8 months ago |Kancho = Troll learn English!
BigP
8 months ago |Yes, the depth of field in both samples shifted! sony has sharper bill and nikon sharper bottle with a label.
conclusions in the article are inaccurate.
Niko
8 months ago |Sony seems to handle bright light better and also -> check the text in the bible, it seems that Sony does detail better there.
I would say that IQ is very very similar in both of these. Sony has done great job.
Frank
8 months ago |Reviewers are idiots…
The lens used is obviously not the same as they are a different mount.
Sigma have atrocious quality control, there will be a HUGE variation between lenses. No two Sigma lenses on Alpha mount are the same and then comparing one to Nikon mount just shows how clueless the testers are.
Any test using more than one Sigma lens is pointless and invalid.
carnevali
8 months ago |It is clearly visible in a not so careful inspection of the studio images thath the focus point was not nailed at the same spot for both cameras. Where the d600 can beat the A99 on the bottles in the middle of the image, if we go just a little top right (quesabesde logo) it is obvious that the A99 is superior.
For me, the lens variable was determinant in this test. It was a sigma 50mm1.4 and knowing the missfocus issues sigma has had in the past, its very likely tha it neede micro-adjustment, wich they probably dodn’t do.
It’s more or less beareble that people can make such errors due to technical issues, but then, why not just show crops from different parts of the image?
It is the second time this website fails on their tests featuring the A99 and both the camera had a negative report. In this occasion, blaming the translucent mirror.
NoName
8 months ago |They’re about the same. That’s a good thing, given the fact that the a99 uses translucent plastic. Please don’t bring on the D600 is cheaper argument, same sensor produces similar result, regardless the price. You pay more for other things(IBIS, weather sealed body, etc).
Sedak
8 months ago |Can actually someone compare low ISO (up to 320) image quality of a900 and a99 using the same lens? I’m not interested in high ISO, I use it maybe in 5% of my shots. This would be VERY interesting comparison for me.
carnevali
8 months ago |you can do it yourself using the imaging resource comparison tool
Mike
8 months ago |In the end, it will be the sum of all reviews that will allow us to draw our conclusions.
Pictus
8 months ago |More Nikon problems, the D600 is a “dusty magnet”…
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/10/d600-sensor-dust-issues
The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence…
Chad
8 months ago |Interesting.
Lens Rentals says the dust accumulates predominantly in the upper left region. Look at the exterior cathedral shot taken with the D600 and tell me if that isn’t a big ole dust spot in the left corner?
zedrick
8 months ago |The images are not exactly the same. The bottle is turned to the right in the Sony Image. Just this point alone makes the test invalid, without even adding in the out of focus issue.
David Grano-De-Oro
8 months ago |Dpreview has the same problem with nearly every test. Example…the A77 looked quite a bit softer in fine detail than Canon t2i on the feathers but is sharper on the top highlight spot on the wine bottle to the left. Another is the globe in the center. On the 77 its blurry and colors are clipped but on the NIKON d7000 its clean. Why is it so difficult to precisely focus cameras. Another example the 5D 2 appears to be much sharper than the 5D3 in the blond hair near the feathers.
Esstee
8 months ago |People really need to add focusing scales to their setup.
cannone
8 months ago |It is that difficult to focus precisely for these tests.
You can never get it precisely right on both cameras, it is virtually impossible.
lol
8 months ago |haha d600? a99999??? try a99 vs 1dx
and your mind will be blown out
Beachrider
8 months ago |AFAICS, Canon 1dx is 2x the cost of a99. The tech-rap against 1dx has to do with color depth, otherwise its AF and image-processing are very impressive.
The Canon is a more-traditional photo-centric camera. AF during video is not-good.
I don’t know why it takes so long for dxo to fully benchmark Canons, but they often have been a difficult test for Canon’s color-depth capability.
Maybe this one will be different (someday).
Sky_walker
8 months ago |As for UPDATE 2:
You NEVER EVER make tests like that with autofocus!
Perhaps we should also ask them if they remembered to turn off SteadyShot on A99 before taking the shot, cause seeing things like that makes me afraid of what other basic mistakes they could make.
emopunk
8 months ago |Yes, I agree. Moreover, they could have been using focus peaking to be sure.
Ryan S.
8 months ago |I don’t think this test is helpful. Sony’s users who have Zeiss’ glass will buy A99 of course. Nikon’s users will buy D600 as usual.
I prefer to see in-depth test of A99 itself.
Dirk
8 months ago |Agree.
I add an important fact.
Besides the 70-200/2.8 which is IS at Nikon/Canon, Sony has this big advantage of IBIS.
The 16-35/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 50/1.4, 85/1.4, 135/1.8 or equivalent are not IS at Nikon/Canon.
So concerning field conditions an A99 doesn’t need to care about in case the 5DM3 or the D600/800 would be high ISO wise one or two stops better…
emopunk
8 months ago |I see that you changed the body of the new after the messages. Weren’t you a bit pessimistic with all the gloom and SLT mirror and RX1 etc. etc.? You don’t seem happy to see that the A99 is such a great camera. I wonder why.
Poke
8 months ago |I guess I will wait for DXO scores. Seems that they are more standardized.
Cintel7
8 months ago |I think Nikon did a great job on the D600 to provide enthusiasts like me the same PRO image quality as in the A99/D800 but without the PRO features that we do not need or want to pay for it. For $650 more than the D600, you get better build, ISIB, better frame rate, better videos so it should be a no brainer for those who needs these features. In fact..$650 premium is a great price for all these features.
A99 replaces A900
D600 replaces A850…
I am be curious if Sony makes an D600 calls an A88.
Poke
8 months ago |Exactly why I bought the 850 a few years ago. A FF at a dicounted price. The benefits of FF without some of the bells and whistles. If you shoot Nikon, the 600 would be a very nice camera. I don’t see any reason why Sony would not water down the 99 and sell it for 2k like it did the 850.
Dan
8 months ago |I’ve just done a camera comparison on dpreview of the canon 5d mk3, Nikon D600 & D800 and the Sony A99.
Now I just cant fathom Sony’s price point it’s more expensive than all the other cameras (Available to purchase price not RRP)and the feature list just doesn’t back up why it is so expensive am I missing something (this is a genuine question)?
I know it is probably the best at taking videos and has a good focusing system that works with a few lenses but does that justify the price when you could arguably have better photographic image quality with all is competitors (even the lower priced D600)
I really think Sony will struggle to sell any cameras except to brand loyal. customers especially when you take into account its lens line up.
As an A77 customer I was eagerly awaiting their full frame camera but I feel it has been miss priced (Body only should be RRP £1999 with a street price of £1750) and is missing key features (usb3, time laps, wifi) I’m considering jumping ship to the D800 (even more so now us A77 users have just been fobbed off with another lame firmware update… It doesn’t inspire confidence in buying an A99).
I’m interested to here what do you lot think about its price and features.
Poke
8 months ago |Dan,
Do I wish the price was lower. Hell yes! I wish someone would give me a 99 for free. But I cannot believe you cannot see the value of the 99 over the 600. The dual focus compatibility with the lenses will increase over time. The limit to 6 lenses is just at release. The sync speed of the 600 (1/200 -why?) is slower than the 99, IBIS, higher shutter speed in the 99 1/8000 v 1/4000, focus peaking, horizontal level, 60p at 1080, silent manual operation knob during video and weather sealed just off the top of my head. Why is the MK3 more expensive than the 99 or the 800? These are all great cameras for different needs and price points. If you are looking for a new camera body you should be able to find one, a very good one. I didn’t realize the 800 had a built in wifi. If we are asking why, why doesn’t the 800 offer 60fps at 1080? I wish you good fortune on your photo endeavors and which ever camera you choose, I hope you love. I am going with the 99. 3 zeiss lenses and 2 G lenses sealed my choice.
Poke
Leo
8 months ago |Well said …
Dan
8 months ago |Poke I can see that it is a better camera than the D600 however the water becomes somewhat murkier when I compare it to the 5d mk3 and D800 both of which are available at a lower price than the a99.
When I purchased the a77 there were no questions that it offered a better package for the cost compared to its competitors with the a99 this simply isn’t the case if anything the competition offer better value for money.
Now my main reason for wanting to upgrade the A77 to a full frame is ISO and image quality NOT videography and as I’m currently not tied into any FF lenses I’m not sure if the A99 is the best option which is a shame as I (controversially) really like the EVF functionality.
My question was more why should I buy a A99 over D800 or 5dmk3 if I’m not into videography?
Syren
8 months ago |Both D600 and A99 are great cameras indeed. Even though both features are not identical, but they offer equivalent fuunctions and features. For example, D600 supports only 1/4000 but it allows us to lower ISO, meanint that you can use ISO50 in order to get the same exposure. I tested 1/4000 with ISO50 in the daylight and it works fine.
Focus peaking: Unlike Canon, Nikon is not an amatuer in terms of focus ability. The ways both A99 and D600 works for manual focus are totally different. Nikon features something called focus navigator and confirmation. It’s like the navigator system in a missle rocket.
Richard
8 months ago |Thanks. It reminds me that the ability of camera depend on how much we understand and make use of our own camera. For exmample, both 1/200 or 1/250 sync speed is helpless in real situation for professional use. Mostly, we use a built-in flash as a commander to command an external flash in the HSS mode (High Speed Sync).
Poke
8 months ago |Built in Flash has nothing to do with it. Actually the 99 does not have a built in flash. 1/250 sync speed is pushing it but 1/200 is not good at all according to David Hobby. It is only a 1/3 stop difference but I guess for action it seems to be an issue for Mr. Hobby. He definately knows more than me about speedlights.
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2012/09/nikon-d600-think-twice-before-you-jump.html
Grant it the slower sync speed is not a big deal to me but if higher sync speeds are more useful than why go slower than what has been the norm.
Poke
8 months ago |B&H photo just updated availability of the 99 for October 25, 2012. AWESOME!
kysham
8 months ago |…. and users in Malaysia were already picking up their pre-ordered a99 since yesterday evening!
flo
8 months ago |I am not surprised by this result. I played for 2 hours with the a99 and i took pictures with autofocus and manual focus. Many time, the autofocus failed to give dead-on sharp image compared to manual focus. Results were nor consistent enough for me. Actually, if you use a a900 with manual focus, pictures are very very sharp ! At aperture 4 and above DOF hides the accuracy problem unless you shoot very close, but as I shoot a lot of low light, so I tried the d800 the same day I tried the a99, and bought the d800. Apart from all the nice a99 features, I think the main difference today between sony, and canikon is the autofocus for stills (for video, a99 is probably much better, but I did not compare). I miss the sony ergonomy and evf and zeiss specially with the 50mm coming, but when I see the pictures taken with the d800, I am very impressed. Of course, the autofocus misses sometimes, but most of the time it’s dead on. I did 1700 pictures so far, so now, I see clearly the autofocus advantage of the d800.
gano
8 months ago |Flo…. you did not do that… You did not buy the d800. You just bought nothing.
You are one of those that do not buy this kind of cameras. you are just a troll that did not even touched an a99.
Toland
8 months ago |Is there any way to record RAW in 50p in the USA? Or is that impossible now? That one early reviewer, Sebastian said there was no 50p recording in Ninja 2 and another poster said there was no 50p option whatsoever in the states? Has anyone heard anything definitive abou this? I can’t find anything on the web.