Nikon's Newest Full-Frame Family Member is the D750, Features 1080p60 Video Capture

Nikon's Newest Full-Frame Family Member is the D750, Features 1080p60 Video Capture

Nikon has announced the latest member of their full frame camera family, the D750. The camera is an advancement specifically for Nikon in the video realm, as the new camera's 24.3 megapixel sensor captures full HD video at 60p, a feature that is becoming a necessary standard for any modern video camera. Nikon also announced a new super-fast wide angle lens, the 20mm f/1.8 EG, and a hybrid video speedlight featuring an LED video light in addition to the traditional strobe.

Nikon states that "The new D750 represents a leap forward for this camera segment, inheriting some of the best elements from Nikon’s revered full-frame professional cameras, with new and refined features aimed at sparking creativity and sharing with built-in Wi-Fi. Additionally, Nikon has also announced the SB-500, a versatile yet compact multimedia Speedlight, and Nikon’s fastest ultra wide-angle lens yet, the new AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED. These new products easily supplement a professional’s kit, while making it more appealing than ever for enthusiasts to discover the intense and immersive image quality that only an FX-format sensor can offer." 

Next Level Image Quality

The Nikon D750 features a newly developed 24.3-MP FX-format CMOS sensor to provide adept photographers with image quality that’s nothing short of astounding; with rich colors, beautiful gradation and a vast dynamic range. A myriad of other intelligent features help photographers to unlock their potential to create and share vibrant, tack-sharp images that takes an imaginative story from concept to reality.

  • The new Nikon D750 features the EXPEED 4 Image Processing Engine, similar to the pro-level D810 and D4S. In addition to increasing energy efficiency and performance, EXPEED 4 contributes to the overall image excellence with noise reduction performance and other benefits.
  • Whether shooting a vista bathed in full sun to a reception in minimal light, the camera produces images with exceptionally low noise in a variety of lighting conditions. The broad ISO range extends from 100-12,800, expandable from (Lo-1) 50 to (Hi-2) 51,200.
  • Highlight Weighted Metering is ideal for capturing stage performances and events, preventing blown-out highlights in photo and video.
  • The D750 also features the latest generation of Nikon’s Advanced Picture Control settings. The “Clarity” setting enhances midtones to emphasize intense image details and “Flat” Picture control is used for a broad tonal range, which is ideal for photo and video applications. Picture controls are also customizable in .25 increments, for maximum versatility in any shooting situation.

Full Control of Advanced Video Features

The D750 features the same level of advanced video functionality as the Nikon D810, an HD-SLR known in studios and on-set for its professional production pedigree. The camera can capture video in Full HD 1920x1080 resolution at 60/30/24p and gives videographers and multimedia artists full manual control, including aperture adjustment. Like D810, the Power Aperture feature provides smooth transitions while adjusting the aperture during recording, and in manual mode, users can control shutter speed and ISO.

The D750’s compact size and affordability will make it a welcome addition to any production environment, as will its FX and DX-format crop modes that make it a snap to adjust the focal range without swapping lenses. Implementing another indispensable feature on-set, footage can be recorded to the dual SD memory card slots, or simultaneously output to an external recorder or monitor via HDMI for a variety of applications. Camera operators will also enjoy features such as headphone and microphone jacks, Zebra stripes to spot overexposed areas, as well as the ability to select frequency ranges for the internal stereo microphone. For time lapse, the camera utilizes Exposure Smoothing, a great feature that creates balanced exposure transitions between frames when using the time lapse or intervalometer feature.  

FX-Format Connectivity

The Nikon D750 is Nikon’s first full frame D-SLR to include built-in Wi-Fi, which enables photographers to both share their images and capture remotely. Using Nikon’s free Wireless Mobile Utility App1, users can connect with their compatible mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet. Once connected, a tap on the screen engages auto focus, while the camera can be triggered remotely, making it easy to position the camera in areas where access could be difficult. Once downloaded, users can also utilize popular applications and social networks to seamlessly share images, bringing the exciting image quality of full-frame to the feeds of friends and family, on the fly. The feature can also be used to scout and send location photos to clients, or instantly deliver photos processed with the in-camera editing features.

For professional photographers and videographers, the camera also has the capability to transmit images over FTP using the WT-5a wireless transceiver plus the UT-1 Communications Unit. With these optional accessories, the camera can be triggered and controls operated in HTTP mode using the web browser of a mobile device. Live view as well as start/stop recording can also be enabled remotely, providing the ability to capture otherwise impossible footage, for example when the camera is mounted on a crane.

Command Agility and Durability

The camera is manufactured using a “monocoque” structural skin technique, which adopts durable carbon fiber for the front body and front cover, and resilient magnesium alloy for the rear cover and top cover. The resulting camera body is the ideal balance of substantial build quality and compact, yet lightweight design for comfortable all-day shooting. The structure is also sealed and gasketed to resist dust and moisture, and the shutter has been tested to 150,000 cycles. To further enhance build quality, the 3.2-inch tilting Vari-Angle LCD screen is joined to the camera using a durable three-axis metal mount, designed to withstand the rigors of professional use. Users can also opt to compose through a bright viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, with shooting info displayed using organic EL illumination.

From a newlywed’s first kiss to a bouquet toss, a split-second can make or break an image; ergonomics and the ability to quickly adjust camera functions are important factors to consider for enthusiasts and pros. The new body design ensures a secure and comfortable grip regardless of the size of user’s hands, while button placement is considered for peak performance.

Comprehensive Photographic System

Whether upgrading a current system or switching to Nikon’s legendary image quality, Nikon offers an all-inclusive system of NIKKOR Lenses, Speedlights and accessories for every type of photographer. The Nikon D750 is compatible with more than 80 FX and DX-format NIKKOR lenses, the same optics that have built a lasting legacy of amazing image quality with brilliant sharpness and faithful color reproduction. For those upgrading from a DX-format lens system the D750 can also shoot in DX mode at 10.3-megapixels.  The camera is compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS) using the camera’s built in flash to control remote Speedlights for creative lighting possibilities. The new MB-D16 battery pack will also be released with the camera, to provide users with extended battery life as well as a functional vertical grip.   

AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED: Fast Ultra Wide-Angle Lens

The AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED is the latest addition to Nikon’s popular f/1.8 series of FX-format lenses, which provide enthusiast photographers with fast, quality optics at an attractive price. This is Nikon’s first ultra wide angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture, allowing users to shoot in challenging light and create images with a pleasing separation between subject and background. With a 94-degree angle of view (FX), the lens is ideal for architecture, interiors, wide-angle landscape and creative group portraits. When paired with the compact D750, this lens is also a great solution for video applications that call for shooting in cramped quarters. This AF-S lens provides whisper quiet and fast autofocus capability, an internal focus design, and features Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat to reduce instances of ghost and flare.

SB-500: Versatile and Compact Video Speedlight

The SB-500 Speedlight is an exciting addition to Nikon’s Speedlight lineup, offering users the unbeatable yet versatile combination of a compact yet powerful Speedlight and LED video light, covering a wide 16mm/24mm (FX/DX). The controls on the SB-500 are simplified, making it easy to explore the possibilities of creative lighting with Speedlights. For full control over illumination, the head of the Speedlight has a 90-degree vertical swivel to bounce light off ceilings, and rotates 180-degrees for soft lighting effects. For remote lighting possibilities, the SB-500 Speedlight can be integrated into a CLS system with two-group/two-channel control. The powerful LED light (100 lux) is a great option for lighting video, and can be operated independently.  Additionally, the SB-500 Speedlight is also powered by only two AA batteries, reducing both its weight and size.

Price and Availability

The Nikon D750 D-SLR will be available in late September for the suggested retail price (SRP) of $2299.95 (body only). The Nikon D750 will also be available as a kit with the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR lens in mid-October. The MB-D16 battery pack/grip will be available for $485.00 SRP.  The AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED will be available in late September for an SRP of $799.95. The SB-500 Speedlight will also be available in late September for $249.95 SRP. 

Jaron Schneider's picture

Jaron Schneider is an Fstoppers Contributor and an internationally published writer and cinematographer from San Francisco, California. His clients include Maurice Lacroix, HD Supply, SmugMug, the USAF Thunderbirds and a host of industry professionals.

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39 Comments

Man, the D750 looks great. I've been bouncing around Fx cameras for the last year, having owned the D700, D3, and D800. D800 has been a bit of a bummer after having a D3, especially as far as AF goes.

Too bad I'm one of those "Fuji hipsters" now :P

For all the past year i was thinking on upgrading my D7000 to the D610, but now i've totally changed my mind for the Fuji system.. i hope to can be able to move to Fuji soon. I will sell my D7000 and my lenses to buy a Fuji X-T1 with the 10-24 f/4, 35mm f/1.4 and 56mm f/1.2 and live well with just this kit. What do you think Ett? I do portraits and Photoshop works generally.

Finally someone who understands me. After the D3 and D700 , D800's AF is just terrible. Mid range focusing is not good at all and sometimes the images look a bit "moved" ,not blurry , but "moved". But even Fuji messed up with the x100t :/

Jeez, did anyone else notice how thin the D750 is? Kinda cool, but all I really wanted was a *real* D700 update. D4 sensor in a D700/D800 body.

LOL

As someone who's still rocking a D700, this gave me a laugh.

The D750 becomes a pro camera the moment you hand it over to a professional...

For video, this looks OK..nothing crazy here. I remember a time where I would have killed for1080p 60fps. I love the dual sd card slots and zebras, but put some peaking in there please. Thanks for posting Jaron.

Audio information in DSLRs is often seriously lacking. I record externally, so I don't miss it here but I do agree it would be nice.

I was thinking focus peaking, but an audio peaking limiter would be nice too.

Hmmmmm maybe a successor to the D700 in soul but definitely not by body. This has the same body as the D7100 and not the D800, D810 or the D700. I miss the WB/ISO/QUAL short cut buttons on the dial as opposed to next to the LCD. Well, luckily for me I just picked up the D7100 so this camera will complement extremely well only because both have the exact same body so I'll get accustomed to using both pretty quickly. PS: One site (forgot which one) mentioned that the OPLF filter has been added back into this model. Is that true? Thanks!

I waited, and I see that D810 is the path for me.

Meh...It's what a D600/610 should have been to begin with.

Video I could care less about. I'd use it very little. The only thing I'd find useful with wifi is the potential to operate the camera remotely. If I need to update FB that badly with a pic I'll use my iphone.

The D750 doesn't appear to be the D300 replacement that some had hoped for. Oh well. Perhaps, another brand will step up to the plate.

I sort of a agree and there are lots of folks feeling the same way...BUT the price of entry to an insanely capable camera is so low these days.

The D610(no slouch of a camera) is sitting at $1700 NEW ....what will the price of entry for these be on the used market?

The D750 is *introduced* at $2300...okay no AF-ON and some other things but it's still an insane camera.

D810 is selling at $3300 - other than MAJOR action shooters what doesn't this camera have for most people?

So yes, I think some of these cameras fall short of what we want in our minds but man...at those price points f'ing just buy the thing and get out and start shooting already.

I do not need a new camera, my D700 works great, and I can't justify the money outlay at the moment...but picking up a used D610?? That's a seriously reality now to give me a very capable camera in some ways where I would like to have extra detail/cropping power.

There's a ton of value out there right now for folks...get out and enjoy it!!

Forget the D610, find a used D600 that's already had the shutter replaced. They can be around £300 cheaper used than a D610 and they are the same camera! :)

Yeah, I didn't mention that but yeah....an even better deal!

Yes, but don't forget that the D600 debuted around $2,100 - 2,200. So when I see the price for the D750, I still can't help but think, "this is what the D600 should have been."

Yeah, I'm a bit confused on the lineup considering exactly what you said. It's almost as if the D600 was this amazing camera with huge value for the price when it came out(it still is IMO) but it's sort of lost that status now that the D750 is out. I won't say it's pointless to have it in the lineup but I see a ton of reason other than if I was really hard-up for cash to get that over a D750.

But in any event..as far a gear is concerned it's a great time to be a photographer.

I really dislike the button layout of these cameras with the rotator up top and the ISO being some random button on the back that I always forget.

After using the a7s I'm convinced every camera from now on needs a dedicated rotator knob for SS, Fstop, and ISO. It's so much faster than hunting for buttons and using 2 hands.

I'm going to have to agree. As much as I LOVE Nikon cameras it just makes more sense to do it way you're saying.

Its too easy to hit the Qual button on the back too, which has happened to me more times than I care to say!

I programmed the video button for ISO and can use the back wheel to easily change it on the D810. There are other possibilities, too, to do this if you need the button. I don't.

hah. Seems like theyve changed the button placement for the ISO again. They cant make up their mind it seems like. That said, I love the placement of the ISO button on the D600. right on the bottom left corner. easily reachable. I never understood why it was on top on the left on the pro bodies. It's hard to reach in the heat of the battle.

Work with something long enough and you don't think about it anymore. You simply get used to it and move on. The U1 and U2 can also be useful.

The fact that it varies between the D6xx and D8xx series is annoying. But you get used to it in just an hour of shooting.

Soooo, why not just spend another few hundred and grab the D800/D810? It's bound to be better for photo and video sharpness

at first glance, obviously never having touched this camera, I give it a very lukewarm "meh." While it introduces a number of new-ish features not seen on other nikon cameras, none of them are truly new or groundbreaking--as others have pointed out below, they're things the d600 should have had already. what I was hoping for in this camera was a budget d4: less resolution than the d800, but more speed. in some ways this is what nikon made, but they were timid in the execution. what happened to 8-10 fps? built-in wifi is great, but where's the built in gps that my iPhone has had for years? flippy viewfinder is great, but the d5100 had more flexibility than this one. the d800 succeeded, and remains successful in the slightly updated d810, because it blew the roof off of existing camera performance. nothing about this camera does--at best it catches up to what other cameras are doing. lame.

I name thee Nikon D610s. This is by no means a upgraded D700.

I name thee Nikon D610s. This is by no means a upgraded D700.

So this is a D610 with WI-FI + Tilt screen for $600 more...
And with EYE-FI or WU-1b ($40) I can do the same

...and upgraded AF system, and upgraded video capabilies, and upgraded to the Expeed 4 processor, et all...

I'll agree this is based on the D600/610 camera, but it's a good amount of added features for the price.

What may not be obvious is that this camera is also aimed at anyone contemplating a Mk III.

not really, your forgetting the new focus module which is probably one of the biggest improvements over the D600/610

As a Canon shooter I gotta admit I normally don't bother reading too much of the Nikon release stuff, but dayum this is a tidy little package specs wise for that price point.
I do have to ask however, what are Nikon smoking with the list price of the battery grip? Canon is hardly any better I know, listing grips at near $500 when they sell at sub $200 in the USA - but it's worth noting that not all regions sell under RRP (Nikon specifically bans retailers from selling under RRP in some places for eg)

nice that it does 1080/60p, a step up in rez while keeping the higher frame rate. Was disappointed to see that dropping down to 720 only maxed at 60p as well. Would have been an awesome thing to see it pull off 120p. A must for super smooth super slo-mo!

The low 24mbps bitrate is also a bummer.

Uncompressed out of the HDMI port however. Strap a Black magic recorder to the bottom of it and you're all set.

Maybe it's just me, but it feels kinda boring what these two big companies (Nikon & Canon) do these days. They're still following the same old rhythm and routine of releasing new models every few months which are almost the same except some different layouts and different limitations in their software/firmware. They could have easily combined the 610 and 750 .. the differences are so minor. Someone needs to wake these companies up - maybe a new CEO.
Sometimes it feels like they're playing a tombola before they release a new camera. Lets throw all of our current features in a bowl (nothing new..too complicated) and then pull some out that we'll activate on it's firmware.

I was a bit annoyed when this was announced, but I ended up ordering one. I'm really curious to see how well its AF performs in low light. I'm hearing it's a stop better than even the D4.

I got a chance to play with the D750 today at IBC Amsterdam. I must say it has a very nice grip and feel to it. The flipping screen on the other hand seems rather flimsy, the good news is that it appeared as if the screen could easily be repaired if broken. Anyhow, we have to see how it will hold in practice.