*UPDATED* Adobe Lightroom 5.3 and Camera RAW/DNG Converter 8.3 support the Nikon D610 as of December 12, 2013.
Nikon Electronic Format used in .NEF file is the Nikon RAW image format. Photos in RAW mode contain direct sensor and camera data including the camera type and settings. In order for a program to be able to properly read and understand the file, the program needs to know the exact model. Because the D610 is a new camera model, your editor or picture viewing program may not understand the format and will not be able to open or edit the D610 NEF file until the program is updated.
In general you can either update your program to a new version (when available), or use a converter to change the file to another format that is supported (.DNG).
Programs:
ViewNX2 – Version 2.8.1 of this software is included with the D610. It can open and save the RAW .NEF file as TIFF or JPEG. You can download ViewNX2 from Nikon.
CaputreNX2 – A commercial program developed by Nikon for advanced editing including high performance 64-bit compatibility for use on modern operating systems. The updated version of CaptureNX2 is able to open D610 files: download version 2.4.4 update from Nikon to get the newest camera support for the D610. Owners of Capture NX (version 1) can buy a discounted upgrade.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 – Users of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 can update to version 5.3 for official D610 RAW support. Download Lightroom 5.3 for Windows and Macintosh. Lightroom 4 and earlier will not be updated to support the D610. You can use the Adobe DNG Converter to change the .NEF to Adobe .DNG to open in older versions of Lightroom.
Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CC – Adobe has released Camera RAW version 8.3 that adds support for the D610. Older versions of Photoshop CS5 and earlier do not support the D610, instead you may use the Adobe DNG converter (see below).
Adobe DNG Converter – The Digital Negative Gallery (DNG) converter will convert Nikon D610 .NEF files to Adobe .DNG format. These .DNG files can be opened using many programs, including older versions that do not support D610 NEF files directly. Adobe added D610 .NEF support in DNG Converter version 8.3. Download Adobe DNG Converter 8.3 for Windows and Macintosh.
Nikon Transfer – Not recommended! If you have trouble opening the D610 .NEF files using the latest versions the programs that are supposed to have D610 support, you may have used an old version of Nikon Transfer program to copy images from your camera. It is known to corrupt .NEF files and can cause problems opening them. If you have corrupted .NEF files you can download this repair program.
ExifTool – This program will allow you to alter the EXIF data stored in the Nikon .NEF file. Because the D610 shares the same sensor and many settings with the D600, you can modify the EXIF data in your RAW .NEF image files to change the camera model to D600. Then any program able to open a D600 file will be able to open your D610 .NEF file using any program that supports the D600. Download ExifTool. After you install the ExifTool, use the following command line:
exiftool.exe -model="NIKON D600" *.NEF
Have any questions or comments? Did this information help you? Please use the form below to let us know.
are you sure you can convert the d610 nef files to dng ? i need to know before i buy the d610
Hi Fadi, we expect with the next update of Adobe Camera RAW it will convert them. Right now you can use the ExifTool described above to modify your D610 NEF files to look like a D600, and it will convert them.
is this tool for windows only? i have mac
never mind found it
Please advise, I recently updated my macs with the latest version of Aperture 3.5, so do you anticipate any particular issues with this program. Incidentally, there is a community of photographers, amateurs and professional, who prefer using Apple products and programs.
No, you can’t convert the D610 nef to DNG easily at all!! I have been trying to figure out the same thing for 2 days now. Only if you mess with the exif data but I have yet been able to find great instructions on how to do this.
Why couldn’t you just convert to TIF using ViewNX2 and then import to DNG in LR5?
I just bought a nikon d610 and cannot open the raw file data even in DNG converter
Just a question, if I enter the command exiftool.exe -model=”NIKON D600″ *.NEF this will convert all the raw file on my computer? do I need to specify a certain directory on the path if I just want to convert a certain files from d610 to d600 raw file?
Thanks
Hi Ed. This above command would only convert the files in the current directory (or in the specified one if you provide the path). There is an option -r you can use to run recursive through all sub-directories. Check out the ExifTool FAQ for more.
I tried that. It did not work for me!! :-((
Hi,
I’m planning to purchase the d610 soon. Could the conversion to dng take place in nikon viewnx? (I have lightroom 4) If it can, would it keep the camera model in the exif or would it still get altered? Which method would you recommend?
Thanks.
ViewNX will only save as JPEG or TIFF. You would need to use the Adobe DNG converter to convert the NEF to DNG. You’ll need to edit the EXIF to make it look like a D600 until the DNG converter update is released by Adobe.
I’m encountering difficulty using exiftool (on a mac, command line) to change the model to D600. I run exiftool -model=”NIKON D600″ *.NEF and all I get in return is:
…
Error: Error creating file: MUZ_0226.NEF_exiftool_tmp – MUZ_0226.NEF
0 image files updated
200 files weren’t updated due to errors
sudo fixed my problem
Just to be certain, I Can’t import raw RAW NEF files as DNG ? Major pain, not a techy and this all seems complicated. I. Assume Tiff files are not as good to work with as RAW. Thanks and frustrated.
S
Which program are you using? RAW will give you the most latitude for editing. Currently only CaptureNX will open AND edit the D610 NEF. ViewNX will let you open and save as TIFF. Until Adobe and other software is updated to support the D610, you’ll either need to use or update the EXIF to make it look like a D600 be able to edit RAW using other programs.
Love my new camera but cant shoot in Raw and edit in ps cs6. What is EXIF ? where do I find it. Do I change my D610 into a D600 inside the camera not sure how to do that. Not a techy person at all. need more step by step directions. Am a portrait photographer and so sad cant use my new camera and shoot in raw.
Lisa
I have ExifTool.exe on my desktop and my D610 NEF files in a folder on my desktop called test. I go to Run and CMD to get to the command screen which shows the following for where I am on my system: c:\users\mikey
I then type: c:\users\mikey\desktop\exiftool.exe -model=”NIKON D600″ c:\users\mikey\test\*.nef
I get the reply: No file specified
Tried several times and no luck. I know it has to be perfect and I’m missing something.
Missing desktop in the image path?
Actually No. Just left it off here when I typed the message. Frustrated I guess and am not familiar with with the CMD stuff any longer.
I used to simple code in that stuff decades ago, but at 73 years old I avoid it now. Can hardly remember how to change a directory. Grr!
Hi, I too am having major problems getting this exif programm runing, it seems to me it’s something only advanced users can use , understand or install. I’ve read the instructions say about 20 times?, and I still don’t know what I am doing and above esle why I am doing it, in that I mean why am I renaming the programm, why am I putting it into the Windows folder etc. I really would not mind not knowing what I’m doing if I could get the thing up and running. Can somebody post simple instructions and maybe some screen shots? I’ve got mine unrapped , renamed and saved to the Desktop, what do I do now?
IT works, I took a look at the Dos for dummies in the exif FAQs and realised what it was all about.A couple of attempts later I had it up and running 🙂
Michael, help me!!! I have the new D610 and cant shoot in raw my ps cs6 will not recognize the raw file. I don’t know what (EXIF ) is. I need step by step. I have widows 7 I just want to cry, I cant use my new camera on my photo shoots. Why dose everything have to be so difficult…
Just to get it of my chest, my D600 was in for the 3rd sensor clean, after 2 weeks I called up and asked if I’m getting my camera back for the weekend, half an hour later I recieved an email saying that a D610 was on the way to me. So it wasn’t as if I had bought the D610 without checking if my programms supported it. Now my query is why doesn’t Nikon offer a downgrade camera software for the D610 to the D600, if they are basicly the same camera, until Adobe starts supporting it?
Hi Lisa,
yup I know that feeling are you on Skype? What time zone are you in? I’m in the CET Timezone, in other words it is now 11.30 am. Perhaps I can help as I have the same system.
Hi Michael, thank you for replying sorry I don’t have Skype. I’m in California It’s 8:30am
I found a site with this information Windows
In Windows, there is a choice of two different versions of ExifTool to install. The Perl distribution requires Perl to be installed on your system. (A good, free Perl interpreter can be downloaded from activeperl.com.)
If you don’t already have Perl, it is easier to install the stand-alone ExifTool executable, but note that the stand-alone version doesn’t include the HTML documentation or some other files of the full distribution.
Stand-Alone Executable
1.Download the Windows Executable from the ExifTool home page.
(The file you download will have a name like “exiftool-#.##.zip”.)
2.Extract “exiftool(-k).exe” from the “.zip” file, and place it on your Desktop.
(Double-click on “exiftool-#.##.zip” to open the archive, then drag “exiftool(-k).exe” to your Desktop.)
You can now double-click on “exiftool(-k).exe” to read the application documentation, or drag-and-drop files and folders to run exiftool on selected files. To install exiftool for use from the command line, continue with the following steps:
3.Rename “exiftool(-k).exe” to “exiftool.exe”.
(or “exiftool(-k)” to “exiftool” if file name extensions are hidden on your system)
4.Move “exiftool.exe” to the “C:\WINDOWS” directory (or any other directory in your PATH).
You can now run exiftool by typing “exiftool” at the command prompt. (To get to the command prompt, select “Run…” from the Windows “Start” menu, then type “cmd” and press Return.)
(Note: Occasionally users have reported that exiftool gives errors when running this version for this first time. It is possible this may happen if a file gets corrupted during the download/installation process. In this case, follow the Uninstalling instructions below then re-install exiftool. Be sure that you have sufficient disk space in your TEMP directory for exiftool to unpack about 12 MB of temporary files — these are the Perl libraries used by the exiftool application which are unpacked the first time exiftool is run.)
are these the steps what I should do. I’m not a techy person at all but my brother is and he can help me. Is the reason for doing all of this is to change my D610 into a D600?
Thanks, Lisa
Hi Lisa,
yes those are basicly the steps you have to take, it all sounds a little daunting at first,but it worked for me.
I have Win 7 64bit, I tried both versions but only the Perl version ( whatever that is) worked for me, those are steps 3+4 you mentioned above.
The aim of it all is to change data attached to your raw file ( I think this is the Exif file), in our case we only need to change the name of the Camera from D610 to D600 and PS should be able to read your Raw files again.
OK I presume you have downloaded and unzipped the Perl version, carry out steps 3 and 4. Open the Win start menu, the easiest way to do this is to press and hold the windows key and then press the R key. The prompt box should open, type in cmd and click OK.
Now a black screen should appear with something like this in it.
C:\Users\Jones>
The Jones part will be of course subsituted with whoever the current user of your computer is. Now we get to the exciting bit, we now have to tell windows to modify the camera information of your raw files, for me the command looked like this.
C:\Users\Jones>\Desktop\exiftool.exe -model=”NIKON D600″ *.nef C:\Users\Jones>\Desktop\ 049\*.nef
After that you press enter and if you are lukcy your computer will start modifying the files.
What you should be aware of, you have to change the name of the user ie. not me , you. In the given example I had my Raw files in the folder 049 on the desktop, you will have to change this path too or perhaps put your folder on the desktop for now and move it back to where ever later. You can copy and paste the Command line or part of it from above. But do edit it to match your user name and file location.
Hope this helps, please let us know how you go on.
Mike
Lisa watch out ,
I think there is one forward slash too many in the command line, please use this one and don’t forget to edit it. By the way it should be written all in one line, by that I mean don’t hit enter until it’s all punched in.
Mike
C:\Users\Jones>\Desktop\exiftool.exe -model=”NIKON D600″ *.nef C:\Users\Jones>\Desktop\ 049\*.nef
Lisa. that one had 2 mistakes , hope I get it right this time it should look like this.
C:\Users\Jones>Desktop\exiftool.exe -model=”NIKON D600″ *.NEF C:\Users\Jones\Desktop\ 049\*.nef
Sorry very embarrasing, THIS is the one!
C:\Users\Jones>exiftool.exe -model=”NIKON D600″ *.NEF C:\Users\Jones\Desktop\ 049\*.nef
Thanks Michael, it Lisa’s brother Rod. I got the program installed and will try to work with the files at a later time… thanks for your reply
will get back to you
Thanks! Works like a champ. Saved pictures and possibly a marriage.
What did I do?
1. Downloaded and extracted the exiftool.exe.
2. Created a special folder. (I called mine: D610conversion)
3. Copied the NEF files to the special folder.
4. Renamed the exiftool(-k).exe to exiftool.exe
5. Copied exiftool.exe to the special folder.
6. Launched command prompt. (Start>Run>Command)
7. Navigated to the special folder. (Google File navigation at command prompt.)
8. typed in exiftool.exe -model=”NIKON D600″ *.NEF
9. Pressed enter.
PRESTO! My files were converted!
Ran Adobe bridge 6 and everything was just as it should be!
Can you further explain step 7?
Can anyone post instructions / terminal commands for mac OSX? Running Mountain Lion and Mavericks on different machines.
Thank you!
I would love step by step for Mac OSX Mavericks as well – This is seriously messing up my work flow!
I figured it out! (Don’t forget to make a copy of your NEF files so that you have a back-up of the originals for when Adobe makes the update, or in case of any problems.)
For Mac OSX:
1) Download and install EXIFtool.
2) Go into APPLICATIONS> UTILITIES, then open TERMINAL.APP
3) copy and paste this: exiftool -model=”NIKON D600″
4) hit the spacebar to insert one space, then copy and paste the NEF file(s) you want to change from D610 to D600.
5) Hit enter and the files will be converted.
For #4 you can also drag and drop the files you want converted.
guys.. i just tried out.. and it works.. if you are working with Mac, all the process that Jill indicates is correct but.. you should type like this :
exiftool “-model=NIKON D600”
and it will work..!!
hope this work for you.. it is doing wonderful for me..
Peace..!!
Marvelous!!!! thank you very much!!
Who knows how long is normal before Adobe supports RAW files in Photoshop for a new camera model? I’ve held off on buying a D610 because there is no support yet. I don’t want to have to learn how to create a work-around. Why does it take so long? I assume Nikon (along with the other camera makers?) know they are potentially losing sales because of this. Adobe is no help when I ask them when it will be ready. I, too, had sent in my D600 for the third time, and told them to keep it. They sent me a refund (this was before the D610 was out). So now I’m out shooting landscapes with my D300s (I know, there are worse fates).
Yesterday I contacted PictureCode (former Noise Ninja) asking for the D610 raw support, in the reply they asked if I could provide an ISO100 shoot of the Color Chart they would add that immediately. I have not bought mu D610 yet exactly for the same reason (that Photo Ninja and ACR do not support it, I need these tools for my processing) but if anyone has already had it, could you send a raw they need? This is not an ads, I’m have no relationship with this company, I’m just asking the community for help.
This is driving me nuts. I tried the various methods in the comments and it won’t work! I have the CS6 Suite and am running it on OSX Mavericks.
When I open use Jill’s method above, it says: -bash: exiftool: command not found
When I open exiftool, it says:
/Applications/exiftool ; exit;
Can’t locate Image/ExifTool.pm in @INC (@INC contains: /Applications/lib /Library/Perl/5.16/darwin-thread-multi-2level /Library/Perl/5.16 /Network/Library/Perl/5.16/darwin-thread-multi-2level /Network/Library/Perl/5.16 /Library/Perl/Updates/5.16.2 /System/Library/Perl/5.16/darwin-thread-multi-2level /System/Library/Perl/5.16 /System/Library/Perl/Extras/5.16/darwin-thread-multi-2level /System/Library/Perl/Extras/5.16 .) at /Applications/exiftool line 30.
BEGIN failed–compilation aborted at /Applications/exiftool line 30.
logout
[Process completed]
Please help, anyone, I need to edit some photos by the weekend!
Hey, I have a mac and am have OS X Lion 10.7.5 (I didn’t want to get the update, as Apple sometimes flubs on their updates and screws things over).
I have been having the same problem and started shooting jpeg to fix it. I have LR 3 and was about to purchase LR 5, not that I won’t eventually, but I didn’t want to buy it just for a fix.
ANSWER TO MY PROBLEMS: I was referred to Adobe DNG Converter and IT WORKS! I have tried various other things as well mind you. View NEX & View NEX 2 but they don’t accept my files and won’t even touch them for some reason. The only thing that saves are videos I would take. I have also tried Nikon Transfer 2 (which is terrible in my opinion) BUT Adobe DNG Converter Works. I just tried it out and it worked without any trouble AT ALL!
STEP 1: plug in SD card and open the program
STEP 2: their screen will come up and you’ll first have to “select the images to convert” by clicking select folder and choose your SD card
STEP 3: “Select location to save converted images” then choose a new folder, otherwise it will save them back to your sd card.
STEP 4: Once your images have been selected and you choose the folder you want them in, click on CONVERT at the bottom right of the window and you’re done!
You can then open them in whichever version of Light Room you have that doesn’t support the D610. Just choose that folder when you go to import your photos into LR
I hope this helps!
Attention: Nikon D 610 Owners who shoot RAW. I fretted for a week wondering when Adobe was going to add the D 610 as a supported camera for Camera Raw. BTW, I use Photoshop Elements 12. Eventually the D610 will be added to the camera list for the Camera Raw version (or newer version) that’s plugged into my PSE 12. For now I downloaded the “just released” (Beta Version) of Camera Raw Converter 8.3 and it works like a champ. YAY! I feel like I have consumated a marriage with my D 610…the camera I just purchased to backup my D3. Oh yes, I also picked up a Delkin Snug-It Pro Skin/Body Armor for the D600 and it works great…if you like that feel…I do and it provides some level of protection. Cheers!
Can you send a link for that (beta version) I use ps cs6 I have the D-610 and its sitting in a box waiting for me to use it.
Hi, I tried the DNG converter and it works fine but I loose the creation date information… Am I doing something wrong or that’s just the way it is? Thanks for your help!
Hi George, I was reading your post about 8.3 and I just cant seem to get it to work. I have been going over this for 2 days now and need some HELP!!!. It says “no files match your search”???
Thanks
Angela
If you haven’t heard yet, Adobe has a release candidate for Lightroom, version 5.3 RC1. You can download it at: http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom5-3/
The D610 is now supported.
Hi David, can you send a link to me that will support the D610 NEF raw files in ps cs6 my new camera is just sitting in its box, I am so in love with this camera and cant use it. My ps wont recognize the raw file.
Hi guys,
Just use DNG converter it works alright.
Regards
Any news on Capture One Pro 7 supporting the D610? They seem to be taking quite a while. Its getting really annoying having a whole new kit sat in my office just waiting for C1 support.
Hello, dear D-610 veterans,
I just purchased a D-610 last week. When I chose to save a RAW file together with a JPEG file, I was surprised to find on the card two identical JPEG files (rather than one JPEG and one NEF).
When I choose to save only in the RAW format, I got the NEF file, as expected.
I used one card in the 1st slot.
I could not find any info about that issue in the manual. Did I miss anything?
Thanks
You can specify which files go to which card – look in the shooting menu / role played by slot 2
Hi there, and sorry for the late reply.
Thanks for the tip. Indeed, when using two cards I could define whee to save the different files.
However, my problem was that my computer did not recognize the .NEF files when the camera was connected. When the card was in a separate USB connector, my compute did recognize the .NEF files.
I don’t know what is the reason for that, but at least I know that I can save RAW and JPG files of the same frame, and have them both.
Thanks again!
Any thoughts as to why when I convert RAW files after editing on View NX to JPEG, my photos go from 30 MB to 8 MB? I know that I will lose some information, thus making the file size smaller, but this is ridiculous!!! I never had this problem when converting RAW to JPEG for my D3200. I have all the settings the same…highest quality image. One image I recently edited was exactly 30 MB when in RAW format, but when I convert to JPEG it made it 6.84 MB! The dimensions of the photo stayed the same…6016×4016. Wouldn’t that decrease as well? I’m so confused! Also, does anyone know if Photoshop Elements 12 is now supporting our RAW files now? I saw that on Nov 8th, Adobe released camera RAW 8.3 for CS6 and for Lightroom 5.3–but don’t know about Elements 12.
JPEG compression depends on the content of the photo. If there are areas of few details, the file size will be significantly smaller. Areas of fine detail can not be compressed and result in larger file sizes. Pixel dimensions do not change. The Camera RAW update is a release candidate (beta) and not available for Elements yet.
Hello,
I am following this blog before buying the D610. I use lightroom 4.4 because my mac works well with OS10.6.8. Dont really want to buy a new mac ! Has somebody actually TESTED the adobe dng converter with a raw file coming from D610 , with this lightroom version ? thanks for your jelp.
Serge
Ok, so I bought D610 in our local store (Canada). Only today I mentioned that my pictures have numbers 6xxx. How come! It suppose to be 0001, 0002 and so on, isn’t it? I don’t believe that our local store was able shot 6 thousands pictures in that short amount of time, so it must be Nikon? Do they take matrix from D600 and put it back to D610?
Just get DxO. Already supported, no issues. Love my D610 so far!
Just shot RAW with my new 610 and the files don’t open in finder or when I save them to a file on my macbook pro. They do open fine when I view them in Photo Mechanic. The RAW files from my d7k open fine in finder. Also the 610 jpg’s open in finder.
I found another web site that will convert nef to jpg
http://www.neftojpg.com
I have a IMac 7.1- 2hz core 2 duo. I download the DNG Converter but it will not open. any ideas
I can’t open raw files from the 610, I already updated to camera raw/DNG converter 8.3… The only way is to convert the files to DNG but they loose date created info and that’s a big problem!
Any ideas?
iMac Core i7
Mac OS X 10.9.2
Bridge/photoshop CS6
The 9 steps posted by Jim Barnwell just work fine !!!
Thanx for that.
Just make sure you got LR 4.4 or higher and use the proper quotation marks in the command line !!!!!
This one worked for me:
exiftool.exe -model=”NIKON D600″ *.NEF
I’ve been tethering into lightroom with a usb cable, but I’m trying to find a way to wirelessly transmit via usb – using the mac os. Does anyone have a way? I have the cable unlimited transmitters on order and I’m putting windows back on my machine to see if I can get them to work, but my clients mostly use macs and I’d like to find a way to go from camera to hard drive. I tried the nikon wireless accessory and eye fi and they need to go through an iOs device, and I’d much rather go to my laptop and mac pro. And the nikon wireless requires you to stop shooting and use the app device- not good for me.
Does anyone know if the new yosemite will allow iOs apps to run on a regular computer?
Now it is 2015. . . and above cites ” Adobe added D610 .NEF support in DNG Converter version 8.3.” When the converter would not recognize the 610 NEF file, I read further and saw possible solutions. BUT – what about your original claim???? AND this isn’t ‘fixed’ yet???? AND if out of anger/frustration I buy updates for lightroom and photoshop that “says” will recognize D610 NEF files, how can I believe the claims? I started shooting Nikons in the 1980s and this is the first time I have regrets. PLEASE ADVISE or do I have to run extra converters to convert?? PS – I move photo files directly from memory card to hard drive, ie I do not use any additional program.
I have 3 question dear friends:
1. Every time I look for Adobe Camera Raw, I get a web link to DNG converter. Are they the same?
2. When I install the DNG converter (v.8.7 through v9.1.1), it is installed in ..\x86\Adobe. I have a 64 bit windows system. Photoshop (CS6) cannot open raw NEF files and send me back to Adobe site. The same is true of Sony raw files. Obviously, the converter file must be in another folder. I have tried installing and removing the converter and I still have the same problem. Where should I place the DNG converter (plugin)?
3. Is there a RAW Editor or all these software just convert to .Tiff?
Thank you for your help.
Alaaddin
Dear Nikon D610 users:
I have 3 questions,
1. Is Adobe Camera Raw the same as DNG?
2. When I install DNG 9.1.1 (and before version 8.3), it installs in the folder (Windows 64 bit). Adobe Photoshop (CS 6) does not find it.
3. What does Adobe Camera or DNG do? Which one converts Raw files and which one edits the Raw files.
Thank you.
Hi,
I have recently purchased a backup camera D610. I have tried to import images via lightroom 3 without success. Please advise what is the best thing to do?
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
You will need to use the Adobe DNG converter, or upgrade to Lightroom 5 or newer.
my raw files are not supported by nikon viewnx2?????
Hi!
I have a Nikon d610 and am trying to convert raw files in photoshop elements 8.
I have the Nikon viewnx2, but prefer editing with PS. Is there something I can download to do so?
Thanks!
Shawn
I have a problem with my D610 exif field ‘Comment’ and LR. When I edit the comment in-camera I am UNABLE to change the comment via LR. Although the User-Comment in LR reflects what I want, when exported it reverts to what was set in-camera (in the NEF file).
It does NOT happen if the D610 comment is turned off or blank! It seems like the comment is LOCKED once it’s been set. Do you know why this is and can this be fixed???
I have a D7100 & D610. The JPEGs out of the D610 are much softer than the JPEGs from the D7100. The settings are the same, sharpening, NR, etc. same lens…
When I compare NEF from both cameras they look the same.
Hello Petersen,
The D7100 has no anti-aliasing filter so it would seem logical that the resulting images should be sharper to begin with. The JPEG difference could be due to in-camera JPEG processing. The D610 may not apply enough sharpening to overcome the blurring caused its low pass filter, or the D7100 could be applying more sharpening, or sharpening an already sharper image.
What you have found with the JPEG vs RAW between the two cameras was also reported by Cameralabs: http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_D610/outdoor_resolution.shtml
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_D610/RAW_quality.shtml
One thing to consider when you view RAW files visually is that you are seeing a processed result — a software interpretation that may apply different sharpening to different camera models. That might account for the RAW files that look similar, where a baseline level of sharpening may be different between the two cameras.