Nikon D750 Review - Is a Good Camera?
Nikon recently added a new full-frame (FX) DSLR to its lineup. The Nikon D750 slots between the entry D610 and D810 (with the high-end D4/D4S and Df rounding out the full-frame offerings).
In fact, think of it as a baby D810 with many trickled-down features, and it’s more powerful than the D610. Although it’s no bargain at more than two grand ($2,300 to be exact, body only), it’s a camera many photographers are drooling over. Delivering incredible still images and videos, we can see why the D750 is turning heads.
Right before the big Photokina show in Germany, Nikon introduced another full frame DSLR in 2014, the Nikon D750. Packing the newest and the most advanced 51-point Multi-CAM 3500 FX II autofocus system, a 24 MP sensor, 6.5 frames per second continuous shooting speed, built-in WiFi and a very lightweight and weather-sealed construction, the Nikon D750 sits between the entry-level D610 and the high-megapixel D810 lines.
And with its price point of $2,299(in 2017 the price is just 1,469$) MSRP, the D750 is an attractive choice not only for hobbyists and enthusiasts who want to move up from a DX or an older FX camera, but also for working professionals, who have been leaning away from higher resolution or more expensive cameras like D810 or D4S.
Although the Nikon D750 did not replace the older D700 in terms of body build, ergonomics and features, it has a lot more resolution, much faster processor, significantly faster and superior autofocus system, a tilting LCD screen and impressive video capabilities. Thanks to these changes and improvements, the D750 hits the sweet spot in a number of areas and has the potential of becoming the most popular full-frame camera in Nikon’s current DSLR line-up.
Nikon held a media event in Puerto Rico to give reviewers an opportunity to test the camera in a variety of locales and settings. Among the scenes we shot were buildings in Old San Juan (including the historic El Morro fort), an Atlantic Ocean/cemetery sunrise walk – no zombies, fortunately – salsa dancers and musicians, colorful street art, cliff jumpers, caves right out of pirate movie, and horseback riders in the surf, among other things. (Between this event and a run around a speedway at 100 mph at the Bondurant Performance Racing School in our local test bed of Phoenix, we filled up both 32GB SD cards in no time.)
Along with the kit lens, Nikon brought along an assortment of other glass to use during the trip – among the highlights for us were the 14-24mm f/2.8 ($1,999) and 70-200mm f/4 telephoto that’s $1,399. (Can’t afford to buy a pricey lens? Consider renting one for when you need it.)
As you can see, the Nikon D750 is a stellar camera – one we can dub an Editors’ Choice without hesitation. Sure, there are a few issues like a top shutter speed of 1/4,000th of a second instead of the 1/8,000 of many high-end cameras.
We found this to be a drawback capturing fast-moving salsa dancers in the 6.5-fps burst mode. Perhaps we’re asking too much since they were shot in an indoor ballroom with incandescent lights. And although we did grab some sharp shots of cliff divers and horseback riders, not all were keepers.
(Honestly, this could be as much of an issue of the camera operator who’s used to more static subjects.) Beyond this we really couldn’t find much to fault with the DSLR besides the inherent issue of carrying a heavy piece of equipment around your neck, and the fact the camera tended to underexpose in certain lighting conditions. The exposure compensation adjustments helped to correct this.
Of course the biggest news about the back of the D750 is that the 3.2-inch 1,229,000-dot RGBW screen (the same as on the D810) is mounted on a tilting bracket. This enables the screen to be tipped up through 90 degrees and down through 75. It doesn't help with selfies, but it makes shooting movies and landscape format stills at high or low angles more comfortable. It's a good display that shows plenty of detail.
In fact, think of it as a baby D810 with many trickled-down features, and it’s more powerful than the D610. Although it’s no bargain at more than two grand ($2,300 to be exact, body only), it’s a camera many photographers are drooling over. Delivering incredible still images and videos, we can see why the D750 is turning heads.
Right before the big Photokina show in Germany, Nikon introduced another full frame DSLR in 2014, the Nikon D750. Packing the newest and the most advanced 51-point Multi-CAM 3500 FX II autofocus system, a 24 MP sensor, 6.5 frames per second continuous shooting speed, built-in WiFi and a very lightweight and weather-sealed construction, the Nikon D750 sits between the entry-level D610 and the high-megapixel D810 lines.
And with its price point of $2,299(in 2017 the price is just 1,469$) MSRP, the D750 is an attractive choice not only for hobbyists and enthusiasts who want to move up from a DX or an older FX camera, but also for working professionals, who have been leaning away from higher resolution or more expensive cameras like D810 or D4S.
Although the Nikon D750 did not replace the older D700 in terms of body build, ergonomics and features, it has a lot more resolution, much faster processor, significantly faster and superior autofocus system, a tilting LCD screen and impressive video capabilities. Thanks to these changes and improvements, the D750 hits the sweet spot in a number of areas and has the potential of becoming the most popular full-frame camera in Nikon’s current DSLR line-up.
Nikon D750 Design:
At first, the Nikon D750 might look too similar to the D610 to be a worthwhile upgrade, especially since it appears to share the same sensor. In practice, the tilting screen, improved video features and uprated image quality are worthwhile and the D750 stacks up well against its rivals both in the Nikon camp and from Canon.
The body alone measures 5.6 x 4.5 x 3.1 inches and weighs 26.5 ounces. Add a battery, card, and lens, and the Nikon D750 becomes one solid and hefty camera. It’s smaller and lighter than the Nikon D810, but it uses the same sturdy carbon fiber/magnesium alloy construction as its bigger brother.
The Nikon D750 designed for Photo Enthusiasts.
Nikon D750 Specs & Features:
The Nikon D750 is an interesting camera, as it combines features that were previously found in both high- and lower-end Nikon DSLRs.
Inside the camera is a newly developed 24.3-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor powered by a EXPEED 4 image processor — similar to the high-end D810 and D4S. ISO ranges from 100-12,800, and is expandable to 50-51,200.
Other specs of the guts are a shutter speed range of 30-1/4000s, a continuous shooting speed of 6.5 shots per second and a 51-point autofocus system with 15 cross-type sensors (the same one used in higher-end models). Nikon says the D750 is the first Nikon DSLR to have the ability to lock onto subjects with as little as -3 EV illumination, allowing you to autofocus quickly and accurately in very dark environments.
A couple of intelligent features allow photographers to quickly adjust how photos are exposed and captured. The Highlight Weighted Metering feature allows users to prevent blown-out highlights in situations with bright lights, such as stage performances and public events. The “Clarity” and “Flat” Advanced Picture Control settings tell the camera to emphasize intense image details and broad tonal range, respectively.
On the video-recording front, the Nikon D750 offers the same functionality of the professional D810 — a camera that has widely been used for pro video productions. It can record Full HD 1920×1080 video at 60p, 30p, and 24p. Full manual controls are available, including aperture adjustment (the Power Aperture feature allows you to do smooth transitions) and shutter speed/ISO adjustments (while in manual mode).
An interesting feature of the camera can be found on the backside: it features a 3.2-inch tilting LCD screen — the first time this type of Vari-Angle screen has been combined with a full frame Nikon sensor (previously they’ve only been found on cheaper crop sensor models).
Another “first” for the D750 is Wi-Fi, which has never before been found on a Nikon FX camera. When paired with Nikon’s free wireless utility app, photographers can connect their DSLR to their phone or tablet in order to manage photos or control the camera.
Other features of the camera include dual SD memory card slots, a pop-up flash, 100% viewfinder coverage, a shutter lifetime of 150,000 shots, simultaneous HDMI output, headphone/microphone jacks, Zebra stripes for spotting overexposed areas, and a built-in intervalometer.
Main Features and Specifications:
- Sensor: 24.3 MP FX, 5.9µ pixel size
- Sensor Size: 35.9 x 24mm
- Resolution: 6016 x 4016
- DX Resolution: 3936 x 2624
- Native ISO Sensitivity: 100-12,800
- Boost Low ISO Sensitivity: 50
- Boost High ISO Sensitivity: 25,600-51,200
- Processor: EXPEED 4
- Metering System: 3D Color Matrix Meter III with highlight weighted metering
- Dust Reduction: Yes
- Weather Sealing/Protection: Yes
- Body Build: Rear and Top Magnesium Alloy Covers
- White Balance: New White Balance System with up to 6 presets
- Shutter: Up to 1/4000 and 30 sec exposure
- Shutter Durability: 150,000 cycles, self-diagnostic shutter
- Storage: 2x SD slots
- Viewfinder Coverage: 100%
- Speed: 6.5 FPS
- Exposure Meter: 91,000 pixel RGB sensor
- Built-in Flash: Yes, with Commander Mode, full CLS compatibility
- Autofocus System: Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX II with Group Area AF
- AF Detection: Up to f/8 with 9 focus points (5 in the center, 2 on the left and right)
- LCD Screen: tilting 3.2 inch LCD with 1,229K dots
- Movie Modes: Full 1080p HD @ 60 fps max
- Movie Exposure Control: Full
- In-Camera HDR Capability: Yes
- Battery Type: EN-EL15
- Battery Life: 1230 shots
- USB Standard: 3.0
- Weight: 750g
- Dimensions: 141 x 113 x 78 mm (5.55 x 4.45 x 3.07″)
- Price: $2,299.95 MSRP (Updated 2017: Price now is just 1469$)
Nikon D750 Performance
Nikon held a media event in Puerto Rico to give reviewers an opportunity to test the camera in a variety of locales and settings. Among the scenes we shot were buildings in Old San Juan (including the historic El Morro fort), an Atlantic Ocean/cemetery sunrise walk – no zombies, fortunately – salsa dancers and musicians, colorful street art, cliff jumpers, caves right out of pirate movie, and horseback riders in the surf, among other things. (Between this event and a run around a speedway at 100 mph at the Bondurant Performance Racing School in our local test bed of Phoenix, we filled up both 32GB SD cards in no time.)
Along with the kit lens, Nikon brought along an assortment of other glass to use during the trip – among the highlights for us were the 14-24mm f/2.8 ($1,999) and 70-200mm f/4 telephoto that’s $1,399. (Can’t afford to buy a pricey lens? Consider renting one for when you need it.)
As you can see, the Nikon D750 is a stellar camera – one we can dub an Editors’ Choice without hesitation. Sure, there are a few issues like a top shutter speed of 1/4,000th of a second instead of the 1/8,000 of many high-end cameras.
We found this to be a drawback capturing fast-moving salsa dancers in the 6.5-fps burst mode. Perhaps we’re asking too much since they were shot in an indoor ballroom with incandescent lights. And although we did grab some sharp shots of cliff divers and horseback riders, not all were keepers.
(Honestly, this could be as much of an issue of the camera operator who’s used to more static subjects.) Beyond this we really couldn’t find much to fault with the DSLR besides the inherent issue of carrying a heavy piece of equipment around your neck, and the fact the camera tended to underexpose in certain lighting conditions. The exposure compensation adjustments helped to correct this.
Of course the biggest news about the back of the D750 is that the 3.2-inch 1,229,000-dot RGBW screen (the same as on the D810) is mounted on a tilting bracket. This enables the screen to be tipped up through 90 degrees and down through 75. It doesn't help with selfies, but it makes shooting movies and landscape format stills at high or low angles more comfortable. It's a good display that shows plenty of detail.
Nikon D750 - Autofocus
Nikon has given the D750 a new Multi-CAM 3500 II autofocus (AF) module, an updated version of the one in the D810. This has 51 AF points, 15 of which are the more sensitive cross-type and 11 that operate down to f/8, which is especially useful for photographers who want to use an extender with their telephoto lenses. As in the D810, the new Group Area AF mode is available to help when shooting subjects that are comparatively small and against a high-contrast or distracting background.
- 51-point AF, 15 cross-type AF points
- 11 cross-type AF points at f/8
- Group Area AF mode
The AF performs superbly when matched with a decent lens. When using a Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8, for example, it gets subjects sharp incredibly quickly and is capable of tracking the subject around the frame when the appropriate mode is selected. The fact that it's sensitive down to -3EV means that it's also useful in low-light conditions and in many situations it still manages to latch onto subjects quickly.
Nikon D750 - Verdict
The Nikon D750 offers a user experience that will be quite familiar to current owners of Nikon DSLRs, especially higher-end models. Those who are new to the system may find the controls a bit intimidating at first, with a ton of buttons, dials, and switches scattered on nearly every side of the body. Some of the buttons and switches feel a bit out of reach, especially those on the left half of the camera. The good news is that more accessible buttons can be customized to handle those functions that aren't that easy to reach.
While not as robustly sealed as the D810, the Nikon D750 is still sealed against the elements and well-constructed. The grip is excellent - it's deep and easy to hold whether your hands are large or small. The only thing that doesn't feel quite right is the eight-way controller on the rear of body, which feels mushy, as it does on most of Nikon's other DSLRs. Photos can be composed via a large optical viewfinder (the same size as on its big brother) with easy-to-read shooting information provided by an OLED layer. The 3.2" tilting LCD comes in especially handy for both video and tripod shooting.
While it gets very little billing in Nikon's own marketing material, the D750 (like the D810) has very impressive focus tracking capabilities. The combination of a 91,000 pixel metering system and 51-point autofocus system not only allow the Nikon D750 to track subjects from fore-to-aft, but also from left-to-right, up-and-down. If something cuts in front of whatever's being tracked, the D750 will (by default) almost never jump away from its target (and there's a setting that allows you to bias this). The camera also has face detection when shooting with the viewfinder, which gives people priority over closer subjects. Low light shooters will be pleased to hear that all 51 of the D750's focus points still work well down to -3EV.
Two less impressive things about the AF system is the relatively narrow spread of focus points and the how few of them are cross-type when compared to its peers.
The Nikon D750 is the first Nikon full-frame camera with built-in Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, Nikon's Wi-Fi implementation pales in comparing to what Sony offers on its full-frame mirrorless cameras. Using Nikon's Wireless Mobile Utility app (which refuses to close on Android phones) you can transfer photos from the D750, but the ability to control it is very limited. Support for NFC (near-field communication) would've been nice, as well.
0 comments:
Post a Comment