Photokina 2012: Nikon has announced the D600, the smallest, least expensive full frame DSLR on the market, aimed directly at enthusiast photographers. The D600 is built around a 24MP, 36x24mm, CMOS sensor and crams many of the features of the more expensive D800 into a distinctly D7000-esque body. It features a 100% coverage viewfinder and 39-point autofocus system, nine of which are cross-type points. It can capture 1080p HD video at 30, 25 or 24 frames per second and can stream uncompressed footage out over its HDMI port. There's also an optional Wi-Fi unit allowing the camera to be controlled remotely from an Android or iOS device. The D600 will have a list price of $2,099 body only, or $2,699 with the 24-85mm F3.5-5.6 lens and will be available from September 18th.

"Nikon has announced the AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm F3.5-4.5G ED VR, a comparatively affordable, stabilized, variable aperture standard zoom lens for full frame cameras. It comes as Nikon celebrates the sale of the 70 millionth Nikkor lens since 1933, and the 30 millionth silent-wave motor lens since the system's introduction in 1996. It's hard not to interpret the announcement as lending weight to the rumors of an affordable full-frame body, since it's hard to imagine large numbers of D800 owners using a lens with a recommended price of $599 as their everyday lens."

"I already mentioned that with the D600 Nikon will release a new range of "cheaper" FX lenses. The first lens in that category will be the Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 VR. There is already an existing patent for a 24-70mm f/3.5-4.5 lens and one of the calculations is exactly for a 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 version. Expect the announcement of this lens in the next 30 days, maybe even earlier.

[NR] probability rating: 90%."

"I have an update to the previously reported Nikon D600 specifications (new/updated specs are on top, marked in bold).

I also have two corrections to make - the D600 will have a built-in AF motor and it will not have built-in GPS.

There are also rumors that Nikon has invited some European resellers for a meeting in Casablanca on 28 May, 2012. I am not sure if this is related to the D600.

New/updated Nikon D600 specifications:

• 24.7MP full frame sensor
• Weight: 760g (850g with battery and memory cards), the D800 weights 900g
• 3.2" LCD with 921K dot with ambient sensor control
• HDMI output
• Video compression: H264/MPEG-4
• Full HD with 30p, 25p, 24p, HD with 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p
• Viewfinder coverage: 100% for FX , 97% for Dx
• The Nikon D600 will have built-in AF motor
• The body most probably will be weather sealed
• The D600 may not have built-in GPS as initially reported
• ISO range: 100-6400 (with Lo-1 ISO 50 and Hi-2 ISO 25,600)
• 39 AF points (with an option of 11 AF points), 9 cross-type AF points
• AF face detection
• Exposure compensation: ±5 EV (same as the D800)
• The D600 will probably use the EN-EL15 rechargeable Li-ion battery"

Today was all about the new Leica products but I still  have a quick update on the Nikon D600 - I can now raise the probability of the D600 release before Photokina to 80%. Note that some of the specs may still be inaccurate or incomplete.