Nikon D750 vs Nikon D800E: The Ultimate DSLR Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

When Nikon released the D750 in 2014, it quickly gained a reputation as the "jack-of-all-trades" full-frame DSLR - an accessible workhorse that balanced modern features, solid build, and excellent image quality. On the other hand, the D800E, launched in 2012, was the pixel-peeper’s dream, boasting a hefty 36.3-megapixel sensor sans anti-aliasing filter, pushing detail and resolution to an uncompromising level. As someone who's spent countless hours in the field with both, I can say this is one comparison where sheer specs don’t tell the whole story.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into these two venerable Nikons to give you an experienced, hands-on, and candid look at what each brings to the table today. Expect real-world performance insights, tech breakdowns, and thoughtful advice on which body suits you best - whether you’re a landscape artist, portrait specialist, or action shooter.

Let’s dive right in.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Handling, Ergonomics, and Design

Starting with a camera is often an emotional thing. How it feels in your hands, how intuitively you can navigate controls, and whether its physicality supports your shooting style can be just as crucial as specs.

The Nikon D750 and D800E are both mid-size DSLRs with classic Nikon robust builds - important for pro use.

Size and Weight

• D750: Weighs ~840g, dimensions 141 x 113 x 78 mm
• D800E: Heftier at 900g, dimensions 146 x 123 x 82 mm

From firsthand experience, the D750 is noticeably lighter and more compact. This translates to less fatigue during long shoots or when traveling on foot - a big plus for street, travel, and even casual wildlife photography. The D800E’s bulk feels solid, reassuringly durable, but also a little front-heavy once you mount hefty telephotos.

Control Layout

Both cameras sport excellent control layouts - Nikon's hallmark - but with subtle differences. The D750’s top LCD is incredibly handy for quick setting checks in bright conditions (a feature missing in the D800E), and its tilting rear screen gives shooting flexibility from odd angles - perfect for low or high compositions.

Ergonomically, the D800E feels like a tank - you get an extra level of reassurance, but it’s less nimble. Personally, I found the D750 easier to use for rapid shooting scenarios and when cranking out hundreds of frames.

Peering Into the Sensor: Image Quality and Resolution

The sensor remains the beating heart of any camera, dictating image detail, dynamic range, and noise performance. Here’s where the Nikon D800E shines on paper.

Sensor Specs at a Glance:

High Resolution vs High ISO - a Classic Trade-off
The D800E’s monster 36.3MP sensor without an anti-aliasing (AA) filter gives razor-sharp images that can be pushed very far in post-processing. If your workflow demands large prints or extreme cropping (think landscape textures or studio product shots), this camera rewards you with detail bliss.

That said, the D750’s sensor, while “only” 24MP, offers excellent noise performance at higher ISOs, thanks partly to its later Expeed 4 processor and optimized readout. Situations with low light or fast shutter speeds are where the D750 really holds its ground and even pulls ahead. I’ve shot weddings and events with the D750 handheld at ISO 6400 with surprisingly clean results - a game-changer when flash use is tricky.

Do You Miss the Anti-Aliasing Filter?

The D800E’s lack of the AA filter boosts sharpness but brings a risk of moiré patterns - a potential headache with repetitive textures like fabrics or brick walls. In contrast, the D750 includes a subtle AA filter, providing a safer path if you frequently shoot complex patterns or prefer less post-processing fuss.

LCD and Viewfinder: Your Window on the World

One subtle but impactful difference is in the LCD screen technology and viewfinder experience.

• The D750 features a 3.2″ tilting LCD with 1,229k-dot resolution - bright, sharp, and flexible for composition at hard angles.
• The D800E has a fixed 3.2″ LCD with 921k dots, less crisp and portable in use.

Neither camera sports a touchscreen, which might raise eyebrows for some modern shooters craving pinch-zoom or tap-to-focus ease. However, Nikon’s physical button design offers reliable tactile feedback and straightforward usability after a bit of practice.

Both have traditional pentaprism optical viewfinders covering 100% of the frame with 0.7x magnification - a classic experience I prefer over smaller, dimmer electronic viewfinders for clarity and zero lag.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: The Speed Factor

Whether chasing kids, sports, or wildlife, autofocus (AF) system and burst shooting rates can make or break your ability to get that critical shot.

AF System:

The two cameras share the venerable 51-point AF module with 15 cross-type points - Nikon’s gold standard for reliable Nikon F-mount glass compatibility.

• Both support continuous AF tracking and face detection in live view, covering basic animal-eye autofocus is absent.
• D750 benefits from the refined AF algorithms powered by the Expeed 4 processor, leading to a slight edge in speed and accuracy in tricky light.

Burst Rate:

In the field, the D750’s 6.5 fps burst rate felt more suited for sports, action, and wildlife shooters needing quick follow-up frames.

The D800E’s slower 4 fps rate reflects its focus on high-resolution stills over speed. When you do nail a sequence on the D800E, those 36 MP files pack a serious punch.

Let's Talk Lenses: Compatibility and Ecosystem

With 309 Nikon F-mount lenses compatible, both cameras give access to Nikon’s vast lens arsenal, from affordable third-party primes to premium pro zooms.

• The D750’s autofocus and metering fully support all modern AF-S and AF-P lenses, plus non-CPU lenses with some limitations.
• D800E likewise supports the same mount, but its higher resolution may push lenses to their resolving limits - opt for top-tier glass if you want the best from the sensor.

If you already have a Nikon lens collection, this factor may sway your choice less, unless you plan to upgrade or invest heavily in ultra-high-resolution optics.

Built Tough: Weather Sealing and Durability

For workhorses, durability matters - no one enjoys a camera conking out mid-shoot or misfiring under rain or dust.

• Both bodies offer weather sealing, with dust- and splash-resistance, crucial for outdoor shooters.
• However, the D750 is rated dustproof while the D800E’s weather sealing is a bit less comprehensive - worth considering if you shoot in challenging environments.

The D800E’s build, while solid, lacks dustproof certification, requiring more care if you shoot dusty trails or coastal winds.

Video Capabilities: Modest but Effective

Videographers may find both cameras somewhat conservative by today’s standards, but capable for HD work.

• Both max out at 1080p Full HD at 60 fps (D750 offers 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p; D800E limits 1080p to 30/25/24 fps).
• Both offer microphone and headphone ports - rare in older DSLRs - enabling decent audio monitoring.
• Neither supports 4K or in-body stabilization.

In practice, the D750’s newer processor delivers cleaner video at higher frame rates and better overall codec efficiency. If video is on your radar, D750 gets the nod without breaking the bank.

Battery Life and Storage: More Shots, More Cards

Anyone shooting professionally knows battery life and storage flexibility can make or break a shoot day.

• The D750’s EN-EL15 battery rated at around 1230 shots per charge offers impressive longevity - great for extended fieldwork or travel without constant battery swaps.
• The D800E’s battery life is shorter, at approximately 900 shots, reflecting its power-hungry higher-res sensor.

On storage, the D750 uses dual SD UHS-I slots, which is convenient for photographers who prefer SD cards (ubiquitous and versatile). The D800E has one CF Type I and one SD UHS-I slot, meaning CF cards add cost and compatibility hassles, though CF cards often deliver faster and more robust write speeds.

Connectivity and Bonus Features

A small but welcome perk is the D750’s built-in Wi-Fi for wireless transfer and remote app control - useful for tethering or sharing images on the spot. By contrast, the D800E lacks any built-in wireless, relying on optional accessories for connectivity.

GPS is optional on both via external modules, so expect to carry an add-on if geotagging is essential.

Real-World Performance Summary and Scores

A picture’s worth a thousand words, so here’s a visual summary of sample images and how both cameras perform.

Nikon D750 screen back Nikon D800E front Nikon D800E screen back

You’ll notice the D800E delivers almost clinical sharpness and texture rendering, especially evident in landscapes and product shots. It’s ideal for those who relish maximum detail extraction.

The D750’s files retain excellent clarity but lean towards cleaner noise handling and better rendering at high ISOs. It excels in people shots, events, and versatile conditions.

Here’s a quick quantitative recap:

The D800E’s higher base DxO score (96) reflects sheer IQ potential, but the D750’s balanced profile (score 93) signals stellar real-world utility.

Expanding on this, the genre-specific analysis offers a nuanced view:

How They Stack Up Across Photography Types

Portrait Photography

• D750: Wins for smoother skin tone reproduction, great eye detection autofocus, and pleasing bokeh possible from faster lenses. Tilting screen aids creative angles, and high-ISO handling helps in dim studios.
• D800E: The pixel density makes it excellent for large prints and fine detail, but sometimes AA-less sensor can highlight skin texture in unforgiving ways.

Landscape Photography

• D800E: Outstanding here. The 36 MP sensor and low ISO dynamic range capture every leaf, texture, and cloud nuance perfectly. Weather sealing robust backups its use outdoors.
• D750: Very capable too - excellent dynamic range, lighter body eases hikes, but lower resolution means less cropping freedom.

Wildlife Shooting

• D750: Superior autofocus speed and 6.5 fps burst wins out. Lower resolution means files are easier to handle during fast workflows.
• D800E: Image quality is spectacular, but 4 fps and bigger files mean you’ll need serious card speed and patience.

Sports Photography

• D750: Burst rate and AF tracking performance make it the best bet. Durability and battery life also shine here.
• D800E: More niche - great for editorial and detail-rich finish line shots rather than rapid sequences.

Street Photography

• D750: Smaller size, lighter weight, tilting screen for inconspicuous framing make it more travel and street-friendly. Wi-Fi helps quick social sharing.
• D800E: Bulkier, more deliberate shooter, suited for controlled conditions.

Macro Photography

• Both excellent, but D800E’s resolution edges out on fine detail reproduction at close range. D750’s better high ISO support can help handheld close-ups under tricky light.

Night/Astro Photography

• D750: Higher max native ISO and noise performance correlate to better star and nightscape shots with cleaner backgrounds.
• D800E: Lower max ISO but insane detail if you can nail the exposure and have a sturdy tripod.

Video

• D750: Slightly better video with 60p options and better codec support.
• D800E: Functional but more limited and older codec profiles.

Travel Photography

• D750: Light, versatile, plenty of battery life, Wi-Fi - an overall winner.
• D800E: Heavy, detailed-focused, demanding in power and storage needs.

Professional Workflows

• Both support uncompressed RAW, great color depth, and professional-grade build. D800E’s details are tops for reproduction houses, but D750’s speed and flexibility attract many pros in the wedding, event, and documentary spaces.

Price and Value Analysis

Currently, the D750 hovers around $2,000 (body only), and the D800E retails near $2,400, reflecting the older but higher resolution flagship positioning.

• For photographers valuing a nimble, well-rounded system at excellent price-performance, the D750 offers more bang for the buck today.
• If ultimate image resolution and landscape or studio superiority are your holy grail, the D800E remains a strong contender - assuming you’re prepared for the size, slower speed, and workflow demands.

Final Thoughts: Which Nikon DSLR is Your Next Best Friend?

If you crave ultimate detail, shoot mostly studio or landscapes, and are willing to handle the slower frame rate and bulk, the Nikon D800E remains an evergreen champion. It's a beast for detail-obsessed pros who want every pixel.

On the flip side, if you need versatility, superior autofocus speed, better high ISO performance, and a more manageable size for varied photography types - from portraits to action to travel - the Nikon D750 wins as the all-arounder that simply does most things very well.

Both cameras remain excellent buys given their pro pedigree and current price points. My personal workflow leans toward the D750 for the balanced performance and user-friendly features. But when the stakes involve ultimate resolution with careful shooting conditions, the D800E is a tool of obsession.

Summary Table: Nikon D750 vs D800E At a Glance

If you enjoyed this detailed dive or have questions about specific shooting scenarios, feel free to reach out - I’m always excited to geek out on Nikon DSLRs and share what years of hands-on testing reveals beyond the spec sheet.

Happy shooting!

• Your friendly neighborhood camera wrangler