Nikon D600 or D700

[rbnkc]

Is it better to have more pixels or higher quality pixels? I have a project to create a model of a statue that must be shot in low light conditions. I have a choice of a Nikon D600 at 24 megapixels or a Nikon D700 at 12 megapixels. Both have the same size Nikon FX CMOS so one would expect less noise on the D700 at the same aperture and shutter speeds. I did a test earlier (on a different camera) and was surprised at the impact that noise from different ISO settings has on the final model just going from ISO 100 to ISO 200. Of course there, the pixels were all the same size whereas here I have a choice of more pixels or less. I'm hoping that someone more familiar with how the pixel data is interpreted can give me some insight.

[JMR]

D700 is a very good camera and still among the best in terms of low light capabilites, but, D600 will give you a lot more detail. it is newer and you can use the same HQ glass with both of them. The arguably better performance of the older in terms of noise, is negligible under ISO800... so go D600!!!

[rbnkc]

Thanks for your comments JMR. I agree and will be using the D600. I'll still be shooting at a slow shutter speed. WRT your comment about anything below ISO800 I'm not so sure. The attached were made using a NIkon D5000 and a small sample set of pics but they show noticeable impact on the model as a function of ISO

[Dave Martin]

RBNKC - I can't help on the 'which Nikon' question but thank you for sharing the ISO vs. noises images

Dave

[JMR]

I'm saying under 800 both cameras handle noise quite almost equally well (or bad if you want). No one would use high iso figures without a good reason, so the unique advantage to be considered for D700 is irrelevant. That was my argument.
By yhe way, i quess D600 at iso 800 will deliver model not worse than the D5100 at iso 200
Best

[SimonBrown]

I use a housed D700 underwater. This has two issues; low light and particulates in the water that when lit with flash cause an effect called backscatter.

The D700 is not a current model, but has excellent high ISO characteristics and I regularly use ISO 1600  or 2000 to scan a site. The main benefit of high ISO is less flash power...which in turn means less backscatter.

And high ISO means you can shoot with torchlight instead of a flash gun.

An example lit with an Orcalight Seawolf torch:-
https://sketchfab.com/models/3e066c87ca8c44a69ff32b9e55f8d25b

An example lit with underwater flash guns:-
https://sketchfab.com/models/ed5190b32d514bc199cc00d85d4a9b19

An example of mixing both. The Abbot self propelled gun and Stalwart are lit with flash. The aircraft and Saracen lit with the Orcalight Seawolf. Four separate dives weeks apart, two divers and two different cameras were combined in this model.
https://sketchfab.com/models/c8743258e47747d8b319391cbbec81ec

So I would say the D700 is fine and has one significant advantage; its not a current camera and in spite of being very capable tool can be bought for a fraction of what the current cameras cost.