Nikon just unveiled its lightest, smallest and cheapest full-frame SLR—just one day after Sony announced two advanced cameras with full-frame sensors.

Although its $2,100 price tag may be beyond the budgets of many consumers, Nikon is betting there are enough advanced-amateur photographers who will fork over the money for the 24-megapixel D600 in large part because of its FX-format image sensor.

The D600 will be positioned between its pro-level FX-format D800 and the more consumer-oriented D7000, which includes a smaller DX-format, or APS-C sized, sensor. One benefit is that Nikon claims you get better low light performance with full-frame sensors. Also, with the D600, wide-angle lenses will not be subject to a crop factor, which is the case when such lenses are used on SLRs with smaller sensors.

In addition to the large sensor, the D600 also includes a host of other enhanced features and technologies, including:

• An ISO range of 100-6400, although it can be expanded to as low as ISO 50 or up to ISO 25,600


• A burst rate of 5.5 frames per second, including a combination of RAW files and JPEGs


• A variety of video modes, including 1080p at 30 frames per second, plus a headphone input jack


• A large 3.2-inch LCD with 921,000 dots


• A wide variety of controls, dials and buttons plus two SD-memory card slots


• Compatibility with several accessories that let you remotely control the D600 or share images from it with a smart phone or tablet


• A popup flash

Sony bets big on SLR-likes with full-frame sensors