Nikon D750 vs Nikon Z50 II: Can a used DSLR really be a better buy than a brand-new mirrorless camera?

It can be confusing for a beginner to know which camera to buy, with so many options available. You might assume from reading online guides and watching YouTube that your best bet is an entry-level mirrorless APS-C camera – but I’m not convinced. I think in a question of used DSLR versus a new mirrorless camera for beginners, the DSLR can provide much more value.

Here’s my case study. I’m looking at a used Nikon D750 versus a new Nikon Z50 II. The D750 is a full-frame (FX) enthusiast’s DSLR from 2014; the Z50 II is an APS-C (DX) beginner’s mirrorless released a full ten years later, in 2024. This might seem like an easy choice for beginners – surely you want the newer camera, in the current format, pitched to your level? But don’t be so sure.

The Nikon D750 is, in my view, one of the best budget full-frame cameras to buy right now. A pro-level DSLR, it can currently be picked up for as little as £329 on the used market. Pair it with a used Nikon 50mm f1.8 G AF-S Lens for £119, and you’re spending less than half the cost of a new Nikon Z50 II and 16-50mm kit lens (currently £899). That leaves more than £400 in the same budget to spend on lenses – and £400 on used DSLR lenses can go a long way.

Even though the Nikon D750 is more than a decade old, its 24MP full-frame (FX) sensor provides a tangible image-quality advantage compared to the 20MP APS-C (DX) sensor on the Z50 II. The larger sensor format provides superior dynamic range, improving low-light performance, and those extra megapixels expand your options for cropping into images, and for printing.

But am I getting outdated tech?

You might be worried that getting a DSLR means you’re buying outdated tech, and that it would make more sense to just start straight from mirrorless, especially if you’re going to upgrade in the future. However, the picture is a little more complex than that. 

If you’re going to upgrade from either of these cameras, your next jump would likely be a full-frame Nikon mirrorless – something like the Nikon Z5 II. If you start with the Nikon D750, then any F-mount FX lenses you’ve bought will be compatible with the Z5 II. All you need is the Nikon FTZ adapter, and you’ll get full functionality, with autofocus and stabilisation

However, any specifically DX-format lenses you’ve bought to go with the Z50 II – including the 16-50mm f3.5-6.3 DX VR that came in the kit – aren’t recommended for use on full-frame cameras. You’ll need to trade up to FX lenses. This makes the upgrade path more complex and potentially more expensive. So the D750 can actually provide better long-term value.

Buying used gear can be stressful if you’ve never done it before, with many buyers being concerned about reliability. This is why you should always buy from a reputable retailer rather than a private seller – at Wex, we provide a 12-month warranty on all our used kit. If anything goes wrong, we’ll fix it.

So, is a used full-frame better than a new APS-C? Ultimately, that’s a decision for you – but I know which I’d buy on a £1,000 budget.

Take a look at our extensive range second-hand products here!

About the Author

Jon Stapley is a London-based freelance writer and journalist who covers photography, art and technology. When not writing about cameras, Jon is a keen photographer who captures the world using his Olympus XA2. His creativity extends to works of fiction and other creative writing, all of which can be found on his website www.jonstapley.com