Review Date: March 2, 2015
Category: Serious to Advanced
Photoxels Gold Award – DSLR
HANDLING & FEEL
Full-frame versatility. The Nikon D750 is Nikon’s smallest and lightest full-frame DSLR packing powerful and professional features for both still shooting and cinematic movie recording, and now includes built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Nikon D750 sits above the D610, alongside the D700 and below the D810 (all three are full-frame DSLRs). For about $800 more than what the D610 costs, the D750 improves on the D610 with phase detection AF that is better (more sensitive) in low light (-3EV vs. -1EV and 51 vs. 39 maximum AF points), better movie capability (Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps vs. 30 fps), a higher resolution LCD (1,229,000 dots vs. 921,000 dots) which is also tiltable, and better power management (1,230 shots vs. 900 shots). It even weighs 10g less than the D610, in part thanks to the use of a new lightweight monocoque body design. The D750 also now includes built-in Wi-Fi for wireless sharing and remote capture capabilities using your smartphone or tablet. You can remotely browse the camera’s memory card, download your favorite shots and then email them, text them or upload them to your favorite social site. (For even faster wireless transfers, you can transmit images over FTP using the optional WT-5A Wireless Transmitter + UT-1 Communication Unit.)
To owners of the D700, the Nikon D750 is not strictly meant as a replacement for the D700 since it is in some respect a notch below in pro features such as a max. of 1/8000s shutter speed (important not only to freeze action but also to allow you to use a large aperture in bright light), the possibility of saving images as TIFF files, 8fps continuous shooting with the optional grip, the availability of a PC Sync port and AF-ON button. However, the D750 adds enough desirable features (more MP, faster and more sensitive phase detection AF, HD movie, built-in Wi-Fi) that the D700 lacks that, if you don’t care about the aforementioned D700 features, you want want to consider switching to the D750. It is interesting to note that the D700 is not figured anymore as a model on the Nikon website.
In my hands-on tests with the Nikon D750, I find that it handles superbly with its deep handgrip, and the many external control buttons and dials put its powerful features at your fingertips. If you are upgrading from a Nikon APS-C DSLR (the D7100), the D750 control layout will be familiar.
As expected, the Nikon D750 is a full featured DSLR: it features 24.3MP, Continuous Shooting at 6.5fps, ISO 100-12800, 51 point AF system, Full HD 1080p video at 60/50/30/25/24p with stereo sound, built-in HDR, PASM modes, and the ability to customize it to pretty much the way you like to shoot. There are buttons, switches and dials to control almost every important setting without having to delve into the menu. The menu itself is comprehensive and, if you are not used to a DSLR menu, intimidating and easy to get lost in. It therefore pays to spend some time with the User’s Manual and explore the available Menu settings.
The Nikon D750 has a F bayonet mount, therefore accepting all the F-mount Nikkor lenses ever built. Many of those will have to be used in manual exposure and focus modes. However, about 70 NIKKOR AF and AF-S lenses are fully compatible. If you have DX lenses, they can also be used on the D750 for both stills and movies though the image will, of course, be cropped. Don’t expect FX image quality and not all your DX lenses may be fully compatible. However, we are guessing you are upgrading to the D750 because you want to shoot full-frame, so would want to set up a plan to phase out your DX lenses and phase in comparable FX lenses.
The Nikon D750 is Nikon’s first full-frame DSLR to employ a compact, lightweight and slim monocoque body design. The front body and front cover are constructed from carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastics, while the rear and top covers are magnesium alloy. It is sealed with gaskets for resistance against dirt and moisture. The handgrip is deep and provides a secure and comfortable handling. The D750 does tend to get heavy as the day progresses and, if you are going to be using it in an all day photo shoot, the shoulder strap is recommended.
The [Shooting] Mode dial is on top of the Release mode dial on the left side of the viewfinder [viewed from the rear]. The Mode dial allows you to select a shooting mode: AUTO No Flash, AUTO, PSAM, Special Effects mode, 2 User customizable modes and Scene modes. The Release mode dial is what you use to set the Drive options: Single frame, Continuous Low speed, Continuous high speed, Quiet shutter-release, Quiet continuous shutter-release, Self-timer, Mirror up. Each dial has a lock release to prevent accidental mode change.
Nikon DSLRs get it right when they standardize the Power Switch around the Shutter release button. Other camera manufacturers have a separate switch on top, on the back or in some other obscure place you have to hunt for and try to remember. If you come from the point-and-shoot world, you may confuse it for a Zoom lever. The extra setting on the Power Switch is to backlight the Control Panel.
The Control Panel is on the top of the camera and conveniently displays exposure settings and shooting modes. Many photographers love a Control Panel but I have to admit that, not having used a Control Panel for a very long time, I rarely glanced at it during this review, preferring instead to press the INFO button and use the Information Display (aka Super Control Panel) on the LCD.
The Shutter Release button, as on other Nikon DSLRs I’ve used, has a very light touch and I would often take a shot when all I wanted was to half-press the shutter. I guess it is a matter of getting used to the Nikon way. Also on top, behind the Shutter Release button, are the dedicated Movie button (customizable to some other function, if desired), the Exposure Compensation button and the Metering option button.
Startup is super fast and the camera is ready to shoot as soon as you switch it on. Shot to shot times is about 0.3 sec. (33 shots in 10 sec. in M mode, 1/125sec., manual focus) in JPEG. You can take one shot after another, as fast as your finger can click the shutter. Using RAW, it’s also that fast but the buffer seems to fill up after the 12th shot (in 3 sec.), when it starts to slow down as the buffer clears more space.
There is a built-in pop-up flash rated with a guide number of 12m (39ft) at ISO 100. It supports a max. sync speed of 1/200s, synchronizes with shutter at 1/250s or slower (flash range drops at speeds between 1/200 and 1/250s), and 1/4000s with optional flash units that support auto FP high-speed sync. You can use the built-in flash as a master flash controlling one or more remote optional flash units in up to two groups (A and B) using advanced wireless lighting.
At Image Quality = Large Fine, a 24.3MP JPEG image is compressed down to anywhere between 11.5MB and 21MB. A NEF (RAW) image occupies about 23-34MB.
In good lighting, there is no practical shutter lag and phase detection AF is lightning-fast. In low lighting, phase detection AF is also fast but contrast-detect AF may require up to 1 sec. to lock focus, depending on the contrast of the subject. In extreme low-light, phase detection did not have any problem but contrast-detect AF can struggle, even with the help of the AF-assist illuminator. Using the viewfinder (and hence phase detection AF), the relevant focus point blinks red and the Electronic Rangefinder displays the in-focus indicator to indicate successful focus lock (or displays a tiny arrow to indicate the direction to turn the focus ring). Using contrast-detect AF, the AF frame stays red and blinks if focus is not achieved, turning a stable green when there is successful focus lock.
On the back of the camera, there is a large 3.2-in. LCD (1229k-dot) that is, at last, tiltable! Including a tiltable LCD is a no-brainer and the continuous improvement in Contrast-detect AF speed in a DSLR will only make the LCD more and more useful on the DSLR. The D750’s LCD tilts approx. 90° up and 75° down. In Live View mode, you can display a Grid and, for those who, like me, are horizontally challenged, you can also display a Virtual Horizon (aka, electronic level gauge). You can display a Histogram in Playback and in Live View during Record. The optical viewfinder is large, bright and clear at 0.7x magnification and, though I’ve found the Live View very usuable, you’ll probably be using the optical viewfinder for the lightning-fast phase detecion AF.
During movie recording, you can zoom manually and either set continuous focus on or manually focus. Movie records as a QuickTime movie. While shooting a movie, you can press the shutter release button to take a still picture, but the movie will then be interrupted. You can attach an external stereo microphone.
On the bottom of the camera, the tripod mount is metal, inline with the center of the lens. You may be able to change battery while the camera is on a tripod, depending on your tripod.
Included in the box is a rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL15 that can take about 1230 shots or 55 mins of HD footage (CIPA standard) on a fresh charge. Expect lower numbers if you use Live View a lot. A Battery Charger MH-25a recharges a depleted battery in about 2 hours 35 minutes. The Battery Charger MH-25a comes with either an AC wall adapter or a power cable, depending on country.
The Nikon D750 accepts the SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards. There are two memory card slots available.
Overall, the build quality is very good, especially when you throw in weather-proofing. For a full-frame DSLR, the Nikon D750 handles very well and, once you take the time to customize it to your liking, and take some time to get used to it, you’ll find it operates with minimum or no frustration.
Next: Nikon D750 User’s Experience
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