Why I have not replaced my Nikon D750 yet

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As of the fourth quarter of 2024, Americans collectively held approximately $1.211 trillion in credit card debt. The average credit card balance per household stood at $6,380 during the same period. Although inflation is currently stable, everyone is complaining about the costs of groceries and goods, which have risen sharply since the pandemics. It’s time to save money.

If you have followed this blog for a while, you know I’m not into consuming photography equipment. On a previous post, I explained that I dropped my Nikon Z50 and decided to buy another one, keeping in mind portability and affordability.

Constantly upgrading photographic cameras is a good way to waste resources. As much as we would like to believe that it’s a necessary expense, a new toy is usually not worth the investment because advancements in camera technology often yield only marginal improvements over previous models. Modern cameras, even those several years old, already offer exceptional image quality, resolution, and dynamic range that surpass the needs of most photographers.

In a market flooded with ever-evolving mirrorless and DSLR options, the Nikon D750 remains a standout. Released in 2014, this full-frame DSLR is still a favorite among photographers for good reason. While newer models boast higher megapixel counts, faster burst rates, and more advanced autofocus, the D750 offers a balance of performance, reliability, and affordability that many modern cameras struggle to match. Here’s why the D750 is still a great choice over newer, more expensive options.

1. Unmatched Image Quality for the Price

The D750’s 24.3MP full-frame sensor delivers outstanding dynamic range, excellent low-light performance, and beautiful color rendering. Unless you need ultra-high resolution for massive prints, the difference between the D750 and newer cameras with more megapixels is often negligible in real-world use.

2. Superb Low-Light Performance

With an ISO range of 100-12,800 (expandable to 51,200), the D750 handles low-light situations exceptionally well. Its sensor is known for clean images at high ISOs, making it a great choice for event, wedding, and landscape photography. Many newer cameras push ISO higher, but the practical usability of those extreme settings often doesn’t improve significantly.

3. Excellent Autofocus System

The D750’s 51-point autofocus system, with 15 cross-type sensors, remains fast and reliable. While newer models might have more autofocus points, the D750’s system is still more than capable for most photography needs, including sports and wildlife. Many photographers prefer its consistent performance over newer mirrorless systems, which can sometimes struggle in low-light or fast-moving scenarios.

4. Ergonomics and Battery Life

The D750 is known for its comfortable grip and well-balanced body, making it a joy to use for extended shoots. Unlike many mirrorless cameras that drain batteries quickly, the D750’s battery life is exceptional—up to 1,230 shots per charge. If you don’t want to carry extra batteries everywhere, this is a huge advantage.

5. Dual Card Slots for Reliability

Unlike some newer models that have cut down to a single card slot, the D750 features dual SD card slots. This is crucial for professional photographers who need redundancy when shooting weddings, events, or any irreplaceable moments.

6. Affordable and Proven Durability

The D750 is built to last. It has weather sealing, a robust magnesium alloy body, and a long track record of reliability. I’ve dropped it, taken it in the rain. It’s trooper, Best of all, because it’s an older model, you can now find it at a fraction of the cost of newer full-frame cameras while still getting top-tier performance. Compare the 1,495 U$ for a D750 with the price for a a new 30MP D850 (2,000 U$), a 45.7MP Z8 (3,200 U$) or a 45.7MP Z9 (5,200 U$).

7. A Huge Selection of Affordable Lenses

Unlike some newer mirrorless systems that require expensive new lenses, and consistent with other DSLRs, the D750 is compatible with Nikon’s extensive lineup of F-mount lenses, many of which are affordable on the used market. This makes it easier to build a high-quality kit without spending a fortune.

Why Upgrade If You Don’t Need To?

Newer cameras may have fancy features like eye-detection autofocus, 8K video, and faster burst rates, but ask yourself—do you really need them? For many photographers, the D750 still delivers everything necessary for stunning images. Unless you have a specific need that your current gear can’t handle, upgrading might not bring a significant improvement to your work.

Final Thoughts

Instead of chasing the latest gear, photographers benefit more from mastering composition, lighting, and post-processing—skills that have a far greater impact on image quality than incremental hardware upgrades.The Nikon D750 remains one of the best all-around full-frame DSLRs ever made. Its combination of image quality, low-light performance, autofocus reliability, battery life, and affordability makes it a better investment than many of today’s higher-priced, feature-packed cameras. If you’re considering an upgrade, take a moment to ask yourself: do you really need it, or is the D750 still the perfect tool for the job?

Since it’s the Spring, I offer below a sample of some of my favorite photos taken with the d750.

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Wall Art Botanical Images

Wall Art Photography projects

Wall Art landscapes and miscellaneous

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17 responses to “Why I have not replaced my Nikon D750 yet”

  1. Steve Schwartzman Avatar

    We might summarize what you’ve said by quoting the colloquial advice “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

    That’s an excellent assortment of pictures you’ve taken with your Nikon D750.

    Like

    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      Consumerism has hurt more than one photographer. Thank you.

      Like

      1. Steve Schwartzman Avatar

        I’m hoping nothing goes wrong with my 9-year-old Canon 5DS R, which I prefer to the newer mirrorless Canon body I tried three years ago.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

        I have a mirrorless and I like it. It’s my back up camera. I still prefer the dslr though.

        Like

  2. ddaveleft1 Avatar

    I love your pictures and would love to have a camera like yours!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      Thank you.

      Like

  3. stuartshafran Avatar

    The D750 is a fantastic camera. I can see why you haven’t replaced it as it can easily compete with the more recent cameras. I think you’re absolutely right, there doesn’t seem to be any compelling reason to upgrade.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      Yes, replacing it would be a waste of money.

      Like

  4. shoreacres Avatar

    Wants and needs are two quite different things, and much of marketing is nothing more than convincing people to want something they don’t actually need. I certainly hope nothing goes wrong with my camera, but if I ever need to replace it, I’d probably go with the same thing. It works, for me. I was thinking about your post this weekend, and chuckled when I realized everything you say applies to my car, too. My 2011 Corolla is running just fine, and it gets me where I need to go. I don’t need touch screen controls, heated seats, and the ability to start a car remotely. I also don’t want a computer driven car — I enjoy driving too much for that!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      I don’t like the modern cars. They beep, break, do strange things to distract the driver. I have a 2009 rav4 and I hope it will hold for many years.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Minimalism in Monterey, California – It is all about the light Avatar

    […] did take my Nikon D-750, which I have told everyone already, that I am not going to replace any time soon, and a 16-35mm f/4. It’s a simple set-up that enabled me to go from wide angle […]

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  6. Photographing the K.V.M.R. Celtic Festival in Nevada City, California, 2025 – It is all about the light Avatar

    […] I used a Nikon Z-50 paired with a AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8 and a Nikon D-750 with the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. Although my cameras aren’t the newest, the lenses are among Nikon’s finest. I’ve previously written about why I replaced my broken Z-50 with another of the same model and why I haven’t yet upgraded the D-750. […]

    Like

  7. moodywarlock Avatar

    I have Nikons from the D40 to the Z5 and appreciate them all. All my old cameras are capable of great photos and I’d advise anyone to buy an older second hand camera with plenty of life in it. Nothing wrong with them at all! As much as I enjoy my Z5, I still have and use older Nikons.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. christianmeermann Avatar

    While I get and pretty much agree with the gist of what you are saying, I have to say that I switched from my trusted D7100 to the then relatively new Z6 in 2019 – and I have never looked back. It is safe to say that the Z6 literally changed the way I take pictures. It’s not about megapixels or other fancy numbers that are usually used to compare cameras. It’s about the way the camera operates. For example, getting a precise exposure every time just by checking the histogram in the EVF is a game changer. The dynamic range of the Z6 is (compared with the Z6) revolutionary. HDR and exposure blending pretty much are a thing of the distant past for me now. It is true, old cameras can take great pictures and not every technological innovation is necessary. But the two examples I gave above prove that some innovations are. Buying new gear can make sense. Every photographer should consider carefully if he or she really needs the latest tech.

    But again, I get what you are saying. Today, the Z6 (first iteration, mind you) is an old camera system. And yet, I don’t feel any itch to upgrade. It is more than capable for the photography I do. I don’t need 50MP as I can’t print larger than A2 anyway – and 24MP is more than enough for that. I don’t need the latest eye-tracking autofocus as I don’t do portraits and I rarely ever shoot moving subjects. I don’t shoot video at all. So, pretty much all of the technological innovations of the past 5 years are useless for me.

    The only parameter that really matters to me is dynamic range. So, if Nikon comes up with a not-too-expensive Z camera with, let’s say, 15 stops of dynamic range, I might consider upgrading my system. Until then, I’ll be a very happy Z6 user.

    Like

    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      I agree with you that the dynamic range is a big deal in photography, and it is also the one I am concerned with. I am amazed by how the Z-50 outcompetes my D750 in a number of ways minus megapixels, but I haven’t compared the published dynamic range of both.
      I’m yet to purchase a Z-series camera full frame. Money is often tight and I don’t find the financial incentive to spend, but I would like to try one day.

      Like

  9. Big Skies and Temporary Insanity – Photographic Impressionistic Illusionistic Avatar

    […] Alessandra Chavez posted her reasons for hanging on to her Nikon D750. She nails it. https://alessandrachaves.com/2025/03/28/why-i-have-not-replaced-my-nikon-d750-yet/.I would also add that Nikon realized the power behind digital photography. Their internal software […]

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    1. Alessandra Chaves Avatar

      Thanks for the shout out.

      Like

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