Here's a comparison of the Nikon D610 vs Canon 6D.
Sensor:
Both cameras have full frame sensors that are the same size as a frame of 35mm film - 36 x 24mm (actually, the Nikon's is 35.9 x 24mm, but that's not enough to make any difference). Both sensors have regular anti-aliasing filters to prevent moiré effects - the trend for removing them to improve fine detail rendition hasn't reached this part of the market yet.
Megapixels
Their megapixel ratings are broadly similar: The Nikon D610 has 24.3 megapixels, while the EOS 6D has 20 megapixels. The Nikon has a small advantage, then, but it's not particularly significant - other factors will be just as important.
Their megapixel ratings are broadly similar: The Nikon D610 has 24.3 megapixels, while the EOS 6D has 20 megapixels. The Nikon has a small advantage, then, but it's not particularly significant - other factors will be just as important.
Autofocus:
The D610 has a Multi-CAM 4800 sensor, with 39 autofocus points, of which nine are the more sensitive cross type. This is quite a low number for the Nikon range - the next model up, the D750, has 51 AF points, with 15 cross-type.
Even so, the D610 looks like it should walk all over the Canon 6D in this area because the Canon has just 11 AF points, with only the central point being cross type. There's not much difference in terms of coverage though, because both cameras cluster their points tightly at the centre of the frame, so the benefit of the Nikon's extra points is lessened a bit.
The 6D does have a card up its sleeve, though: its central point is super-sensitive, working in a quarter as much light as the D610.
However, Nikon's camera can autofocus with lens/teleconverter combinations that have a maximum aperture of f/8, while the 6D AF bottoms out at f/5.6, despite that super-sensitive AF point in the centre.
The D610 has a Multi-CAM 4800 sensor, with 39 autofocus points, of which nine are the more sensitive cross type. This is quite a low number for the Nikon range - the next model up, the D750, has 51 AF points, with 15 cross-type.
Even so, the D610 looks like it should walk all over the Canon 6D in this area because the Canon has just 11 AF points, with only the central point being cross type. There's not much difference in terms of coverage though, because both cameras cluster their points tightly at the centre of the frame, so the benefit of the Nikon's extra points is lessened a bit.
The 6D does have a card up its sleeve, though: its central point is super-sensitive, working in a quarter as much light as the D610.
However, Nikon's camera can autofocus with lens/teleconverter combinations that have a maximum aperture of f/8, while the 6D AF bottoms out at f/5.6, despite that super-sensitive AF point in the centre.
ISO range
It's an easy win for Canon in the sensitivity area. The D610's native ISO range is 100-6400, expandable to 50-12800. The EOS 6D's native range is 100-25,600, two stops higher, and can be expanded to 50-102,400, which is two further stops on the high end.
Shutter speeds
Shutter speed ranges are identical, with both cameras able to take exposures as long as 30 seconds (without using Bulb mode) all the way to 1/4000 of a second at their fastest. Burst rates are similar, with the D610 capable of 5.5 frames per second and the 6D managing 4.5. Neither are action specialist cameras, but the figures are respectable and the Nikon has the edge.
Viewfinders
The Nikon just edges it here, too. Both cameras use an optical pentaprism, but the D610's shows a 100% view compared to the 6D's 97%. This means you may rarely find something in the extreme edge of a 6D photograph you didn't expect, as the viewfinder doesn't show the whole scene being captured. Having said that, the difference is small so you might not even notice.
The Nikon just edges it here, too. Both cameras use an optical pentaprism, but the D610's shows a 100% view compared to the 6D's 97%. This means you may rarely find something in the extreme edge of a 6D photograph you didn't expect, as the viewfinder doesn't show the whole scene being captured. Having said that, the difference is small so you might not even notice.
Screens:
Neither camera offers an articulated or touch-sensitive screen. The Canon's is slightly smaller, measuring 3 inches versus the 3.2-inch screen on the Nikon D610, but it crams more resolution in (1,040,000 dots as opposed to 921,600) for a very slightly sharper view.
Neither camera offers an articulated or touch-sensitive screen. The Canon's is slightly smaller, measuring 3 inches versus the 3.2-inch screen on the Nikon D610, but it crams more resolution in (1,040,000 dots as opposed to 921,600) for a very slightly sharper view.
Video
Full frame cameras can produce beautiful videos when paired with an appropriate lens, and our two full frame contenders are both capable of shooting at 1080p resolution.
It's a very close run race, with both cameras managing 1080p at up to 30fps (including 24fps) and 720p at up to 60fps, so the differences are found in additional video-specific features.
While both accept external microphones, the D610 also has an audio out socket for monitoring the sound you're recording. This is an important feature for professional videographers, and something the 6D lacks. Nikon's camera also scores points here for supplying clean video output over its HDMI socket for use with an external recorder - you'd need to step up to a 5D Mark III to get the same in Canon's range.
Weight
The Nikon is a heavier camera, weighing 760g body only compared to the 6D's 680g. The D610 has an extra memory card slot, offering one SD and one CompactFlash, whereas the 6D has only a sole SD card slot.
Flash
With semi-pro cameras like these, you're just as likely to use an external flash - but it's still worth pointing out that the Nikon does include a built-in pop-up flash and the Canon doesn't.
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