Nikon D750 vs Sony A77 II

Comparing the Nikon D750 and Sony A77 II: A Deep Dive into Two Advanced DSLRs for Enthusiasts and Pros

When I first sat down with the Nikon D750 and Sony A77 II, both mid-size advanced DSLRs announced in 2014, I knew this would be a captivating face-off. These cameras target serious photography enthusiasts and professionals wanting robust features without breaking the bank. Yet, despite sharing some overlapping specs like 24MP sensors and robust autofocus, their core designs, sensor sizes, and usability philosophies differ considerably. Over thousands of frames shot, varied conditions tested, and lenses swapped, here is a comprehensive, practical comparison that will help you decide which might be your next workhorse.

From the Outside In: Size, Design, and Handling

Ergonomics are often underestimated until you spend extended periods behind the camera. The Nikon D750 features a slightly larger and heavier body, reflecting its full-frame sensor and traditional DSLR layout. In contrast, the Sony A77 II is more compact and lighter, thanks to its APS-C sensor and DSLR-like SLT (Single-Lens Translucent) design.

In hand, the D750 feels more substantial and balanced, especially when paired with heavier lenses, which you’ll appreciate for controlled shooting sessions - portrait or landscape. The A77 II’s lighter body is a boon for travel and street shooters who value portability.

Flip them over, and while both feature tilting LCDs, the D750 sports a 3.2-inch 1,229k-dot tilting screen, whereas the A77 II offers a 3.0-inch 1,229k-dot fully articulating screen - a subtle but meaningful difference. The articulated screen on the Sony is fantastic for creative angles and vlogging-style shooting, while the Nikon’s tilting screen leans toward straightforward usability.

The top plate design is classic Nikon vs. modern Sony. The D750 sports a traditional mode dial with intuitive physical buttons and a simplified user interface aimed at speed - which I often found helpful during fast-paced shoots. Sony’s layout is more complex with fewer dedicated dials, relying more on multifunction buttons, which can slow you down initially but offers customization. Neither has illuminated buttons, but both feature built-in flashes aiding casual fill-light needs.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Full-Frame vs. APS-C

At the heart of any camera is the sensor, and here lies the biggest difference: Nikon’s full-frame 35.9 x 24 mm CMOS sensor versus Sony’s 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C sensor.

Why does this matter? Full-frame sensors like in the D750 generally deliver superior image quality – richer dynamic range, better low-light capabilities, and improved color depth. The D750 scores an impressive DxOmark overall rating of 93, notably outperforming the Sony’s score of 82. That translates in practice to cleaner images at higher ISO, smoother tonal gradations in shadows and highlights, and a more natural rendering of colors - especially skin tones.

The Nikon’s native ISO range of 100 to 12,800 (expandable to 50–51,200) versus Sony’s 50 to 25,600 reflects their different sensor technologies and noise handling. In my experience shooting at ISO 3200 and beyond, the D750 retained finer detail with less color noise, which is critical for event or wildlife photographers working in darker environments.

Both deliver 24MP resolution (6016x4016 for Nikon, 6000x4000 for Sony), a sweet spot balancing detail with manageable file sizes. Nikon includes a low-pass anti-aliasing filter, which helps reduce moiré but may slightly soften images, while Sony’s approach is similar.

Viewing and Live View Experience

Both cameras provide optical or electronic viewfinder options - but they approach this differently.

The Nikon D750 offers a bright optical pentaprism EVF that covers 100% of the frame with a 0.7x magnification, giving a natural and lag-free view - perfect for action shooters and those who prefer traditional DSLR feel. On the contrary, the Sony uses a high-resolution (2359k dot) electronic viewfinder (EVF) with the same 100% coverage but a slightly bigger 0.73x magnification.

The Sony’s EVF excels with live previews of exposure, white balance, and focus peaking - something Nikon’s optical finder cannot provide. However, some photographers including myself find an optical viewfinder less fatiguing on long shoots, with no electronic lag or blackout during continuous shooting.

Live View on both cameras supports phase-detection autofocus, but the Sony’s SLT design allows continuous AF during video and rapid bursts, enabling more flexible shooting styles even if the mirror remains fixed. Nikon’s mirror locks up in live view which can slow down focusing.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Precision, and Tracking

The autofocus system often makes or breaks a camera, especially in action, wildlife, or sports photography.

The D750 boasts a 51-point AF system with 15 cross-type sensors, with excellent phase-detection accuracy and solid tracking capabilities. Its AF points cover a good central area of the frame, and its face detection works reliably in live view. The system has proven fast and accurate in my field tests, locking in on eyes and tracking athletes with impressive precision under varying light.

Sony’s A77 II ups the points to 79, but with only 15 cross-type points, combined with the SLT design’s continuous phase-detection on the sensor, it achieves a blazing 12 fps continuous shooting rate with full AF and exposure tracking. This is a significant advantage for sports and wildlife photographers. The A77 II’s AF excels in burst mode but can occasionally hunt in low contrast or tricky lighting, though face and eye detection are equally robust.

Worth noting: neither camera offers animal eye autofocus, a feature more recent models provide. For sensitive wildlife portraits, this may require manual refinements.

Continuous Shooting and Buffer Depth

If you shoot fast-moving subjects, the frame rate and buffer performance are vital.

Sony’s A77 II boasts 12 fps mechanical shutter bursts - a professional-level speed rarely seen outside flagship models. However, the APS-C sensor means a crop factor of 1.5x, which can be a double-edged sword: extended reach but narrower framing.

The Nikon D750 shoots at a respectable 6.5 fps, half the Sony’s speed but with full-frame reach and better individual image quality. The buffer accommodates around 20 RAW frames continuously on the Nikon, enough for most scenarios, whereas Sony can sustain many more JPEG bursts thanks to the APS-C sensor’s reduced file size.

In my experience photographing football games and wildlife chases, the Sony’s higher fps allows capturing fast sequences but sometimes at the cost of finer detail. The D750’s slower frame rate feels more deliberate, suited to professionals needing optimal image fidelity.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

A camera body is only as powerful as its available lenses and accessories. Here Nikon enjoys a large advantage.

The D750 uses the venerable Nikon F-mount with over 300 native lenses available from an extensive range of manufacturers. Whether you want fast primes for portraits or professional telephotos for wildlife, Nikon’s system has decades of proven glass. Its full-frame sensor accesses the full range of FX lenses, delivering exceptional image quality and build.

Sony’s A77 II uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount with roughly 143 compatible lenses, fewer overall though still covering a broad spectrum. Third-party lens makers have expanded the options, especially with E-mount lenses (via adapters), but none match Nikon’s sheer breadth.

You’ll also want to consider lens focal length multipliers: Sony’s APS-C sensor applies a 1.5x crop factor to lenses, effectively extending reach but narrowing the angle of view. Nikon’s full-frame sensor requires lenses at actual focal lengths, giving more natural perspective for landscapes and portraits.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Both cameras emphasize ruggedness befitting adventure and professional use.

The Nikon D750 features a magnesium alloy body with thorough weather sealing that protects against dust and moisture ingress - a big plus if you routinely shoot in adverse environments. My testing in damp, dusty conditions showed the D750 remained reliable without hiccups.

The Sony A77 II offers dustproofing but lacks full weather sealing. Its lighter construction suits careful indoor or controlled outdoor use, but I hesitate to recommend it for extreme conditions without extra protection.

Neither camera is waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof, which is typical for this class - external gear and care remain essential for such harsh environments.

Battery Life: A Vital Consideration for Long Shoots

One area where the Nikon D750 truly shines is battery endurance. Officially rated for approximately 1,230 shots per charge (CIPA standard), it consistently outperforms most competitors, lasting days on a full charge for travel or event shoots.

Sony’s A77 II comes in at a more modest 480 shots per battery, which can be limiting if shooting extended outdoors without spare batteries. This aligns with other DSLRs featuring EVFs, which tend to draw more power. If you prioritize flexibility off-grid, Nikon has the advantage.

Storage and Connectivity

The D750 offers dual SD card slots supporting SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, facilitating instant backups or overflow - a workflow essential for professionals who cannot risk losing images.

The Sony features one slot compatible with SD cards and proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo formats, which might be restrictive for capacity or speed preferences.

On connectivity, both cameras provide built-in Wi-Fi, but only Sony adds NFC for quick pairing with compatible devices. Nikon’s USB 3.0 port offers faster image transfers versus Sony’s USB 2.0, speeding tethered shooting or offloading.

HDMI output and microphone ports exist on both, though only Nikon includes a headphone jack for audio monitoring during video capture (a subtle but key pro feature).

Video Performance

While primarily photography-focused, both cameras take video shooting seriously.

Nikon’s D750 records 1080p up to 60 fps with H.264 encoding, plus built-in stereo microphones and microphone/headphone jacks for pro audio. Its exposure controls and focus options are user-friendly, though no 4K or high frame-rate modes limit creative video work.

The Sony A77 II also offers 1080p up to 60p (plus 60i and 30p) but includes additional codecs like AVCHD and XAVC S, prized by videographers for higher bitrates. Its in-body image stabilization helps smooth handheld shots, especially since Sony’s EVF allows precise framing during video.

If you want beginner-friendly video or occasional clips, Nikon is reliable. For a slightly richer video toolkit, Sony extends more versatility.

Performance Summaries and Ratings

To make it easier to digest the overall picture, here are the independent DxOMark sensor rankings and a ratings summary from my extensive field testing.

The Nikon’s superior sensor performance, battery life, and professional lens ecosystem place it comfortably ahead on overall score.

Now lets zoom into genre-specific strengths:

• Portraits: Nikon’s full-frame sensor delivers superior skin tones, natural bokeh, and better eye AF accuracy. Sony is decent but less refined in this area.
• Landscape: Nikon’s dynamic range and weather sealing make it the preferred choice for ambitious outdoor shoots.
• Wildlife: Sony’s faster burst rate and more autofocus points benefit wildlife photographers needing high-speed tracking, especially when combined with telephoto lenses.
• Sports: Sony’s 12 fps gives an edge for high action, provided you can manage APS-C cropping.
• Street: Sony’s smaller body and articulated screen facilitate flexible street shooting.
• Macro: Nikon’s lens range and sensor size provide slight advantages in detail capture and depth control.
• Night/Astro: Nikon’s lower noise levels at high ISO yield cleaner astro captures.
• Video: Sony has better codec variety and stabilization.
• Travel: Sony’s light weight and articulated screen favor travel, but Nikon’s battery life and sensor justify extra bulk.
• Professional Use: Nikon leads with reliability, dual cards, and superior file quality.

In-Depth Use-Case Recommendations

So, which should you pick based on your priorities?

• For Professionals Needing Versatility: The Nikon D750 is my recommendation. Its full-frame sensor, extensive lens compatibility, weather sealing, and robust battery make it ideally suited to demanding portrait, landscape, and event photography. Its somewhat slower frame rate is acceptable given image quality gains.

• For Wildlife and Sports Shooters Requiring Speed: The Sony A77 II wins for burst shooting and autofocus coverage, making it better at capturing fleeting action. Yes, the APS-C crop limits wide coverage, but telephoto reach extends, which some will find advantageous.

• For Enthusiast Travelers and Street Photographers: Sony’s lower weight, fully articulating screen, and sharp EVF provide an enjoyable experience without lugging a heavier full-frame.

• For Video Hobbyists: Sony’s extra video formats, in-body stabilization, and monitoring ports provide advantages.

• For Budget-Conscious Buyers: Sony A77 II is significantly less expensive at around $1,200 versus Nikon’s $2,000 initial price point, representing good value if the pros of the D750 are unnecessary.

Final Thoughts: Experience Meets Expertise

Beyond the specs and scores, choosing between these cameras boils down to your shooting style, subjects, and priorities. I tested both extensively - from humid forests to sunlit urban streets - and each has unique strengths.

The Nikon D750 impresses with its image quality, operational reliability, and rugged professionalism. It still holds relevance in 2024 for enthusiasts wanting a full-frame experience without exorbitant costs.

Sony’s A77 II is a fast, nimble performer with solid autofocus and video chops. Its APS-C sensor and SLT design are different approaches offering distinct advantages for action and travel photographers.

Whichever camera you pick, both offer solid platforms with adaptable lenses and enduring usability that can serve well for years. Test handling both if possible, consider the accessory ecosystem, and think about what matters most: rock-solid image quality and versatility (Nikon), or speed and portability (Sony).

Nikon D750 screen back Sony A77 II front Sony A77 II screen back

Happy shooting - may your next camera inspire countless memorable images!

Summary Table

By focusing on real-world performance factors from my hands-on experience alongside technical analysis, I hope this comparison helps you make a confident, well-informed camera choice. Feel free to reach out if you want hands-on tips or lens recommendations for either model.