Nikon D610 review – Viewfinder, live view, LCD and video
If you’re used to an APS-C-format DSLR viewfinder, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the one found in the D610. Its 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification deliver a large and bright display. There’s a handy on-demand grid overlay that can be activated too, aiding composition and helping to battle slightly wonky horizons.
The D610’s 3.2in screen looks impressive, and while it doesn’t use OLED technology, detail is still well rendered and a decent amount of contrast is displayed. The viewing angle is also good, and while some may have liked to see touchscreen functionality, there’s a host of quick access buttons at your disposal so it’s not an issue in use.
The AF performance is pretty sluggish in live view. It is useful for slower close-up work, but if you intend to track your subject it’s not a realistic expectation. This is not a problem unique to the D610 – most DSLRs struggle in similar circumstances – but it’s worth considering if you intend to shoot in this way.
The D610 features reasonable video functionality, recording full HD footage at 1920×1080 pixels at a choice of 30fps, 25fps and 24fps, or at 1280×702 pixels at 60fps, 50fps, 30fps or 25fps, both in the MOV file type. There’s a microphone input and the headphone jack allows proper monitoring of sound. It is disappointing to see that the D610 doesn’t offer full control over ISO and shutter speed, although aperture can be preset before you start shooting.
