Nikon D780: Is It Worth It?
Nikon released the D780, a traditional reflex with mirror and full-frame sensor that at first glance seems to be a couple of years late. Should you buy the Nikon D780?
The Nikon D780 is the replacement for the D750, one of the best DSLRs made by Nikon. Although renewed, it maintains a 24-megapixel sensor and a 51-point autofocus system. Although after so many years of waiting, the new D780 brings some interesting things inherited from its mirrorless cousins.
Many of the features were improved, including the focus system, video performance, and burst. Bringing many of the capabilities of the Z6 to the traditional F mount.
The Nikon D780 is the replacement for the D750, one of the best DSLRs made by Nikon. Although renewed, it maintains a 24-megapixel sensor and a 51-point autofocus system. Although after so many years of waiting, the new D780 brings some interesting things inherited from its mirrorless cousins.
Many of the features were improved, including the focus system, video performance, and burst. Bringing many of the capabilities of the Z6 to the traditional F mount.
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Nikon D780. Front view
D780. A D750 with a Z6 look
Main Specifications:
24.5MP Full-Frame CMOS backlit sensor with phase detection.
A burst of 7 shots per second (12 in electronic shutter mode)
Video capture in UHD 4K up to 30p using the full width of the sensor.
51 autofocus points.
273 focus points on the sensor in Live View (-4EV sensitivity)
3.2 ″ touchscreen rear display, with 2.36 million dots
Shutter from 900 seconds to 1/8000 sec
10-bit video over HDMI output
2260 shots battery life (using optical viewfinder)
Dual UHS-II SD card slot
Transfer via Snapbridge Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
These are the main novelties of the D780.
Shutter reaches 1/8000 sec (vs 1/4000 sec on D750)
The burst is 0.5fps faster than the D750. Now reaching 7 fps instead of the previous 6.5 fps.
It incorporates the measurement sensor and the D5 algorithms.
Double UHS-II SD card slot.
Video improvements, basically similar to the Z6.
The Nikon D780 sensor
The D780 offers the same resolution as its predecessor, which after 5 years leaves us a little taste.
However, there is a novelty regarding the sensor and that is that in this model the backlighting system (BSI) is incorporated. This does not result in better overall image quality, but it does in terms of the amount of light it collects at the edges, which is one of the F-mount's biggest problems.
The most interesting thing about the sensor seems to be that it incorporates double gain technology. This feature equips pixels with two capture modes: one with the maximum possible dynamic range and the other with more gain, enabling improved performance at high ISO when dynamic range is less critical. This technology has driven improvement in high ISO performance in recent years.
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The Nikon D780's sensor also has a much faster read speed, enabling video delivery at 30p from the full width of the sensor (6048 px) to the chip. This also provides the camera with a much faster burst, reaching up to 12 fps (if the electronic shutter is used).
The D780 also incorporates improvements to the shutter system, which now reaches 1/8000 sec instead of the already outdated 1/4000 of the D750. In addition, it is now possible to shutter up to 900 seconds (15 minutes) and the burst improved, but only 0.5 fps more.
The possibility of opting for the electronic shutter is incorporated, with the advantage of reaching 8 fps if we shoot 14-bit RAW or 12 fps if we do it with 12-bit RAW. Obviously, the use of electronic shutter exposes us to risks such as the appearance of banding or rolling shutter effects.
The most notable feature is the phase-detection system in the sensor, taken directly from the Z. This allows for 273 focus sensors located around 90% of the frame.
Nikon D780 and Nikon Z6 size comparison
D780 versus Z6. The comparisons are hateful.
Additionally, it also incorporates the newly incorporated eye detection autofocus system in the latest firmware update for the Z6.
Basically, these features make the D780 a mirrored option with the enhancements of the mirrorless system.
Another advantage of the D780 over its predecessor is the improvement in video recording. Since it evolved from the traditional 1080 / 60p to the (acceptable for the time) 4K 30p or 1080 / 120p.
Again autofocus improvements are more than welcome when recording video, allowing much better focus tracking and an improved interface thanks to the touch screen.
The D780 incorporates both microphone input and headphone output and gives us focus peaking alerts and warnings of overexposed areas (zebra warning).
If we are looking for the best video quality we can always make use of the HDMI output to record at 10 bit, with an external recorder obviously.
The D780 incorporates special features for the realization of time-lapses, such as the possibility of creating a movie directly with the photos stored in a certain folder.
It also has the option of focus stacking of up to 300 photos with very small differences in the focus position of each.
The D780 offers an exceptional battery life of over 2,000 shots. Obviously, this is achieved using the optical viewfinder and it is a great advantage over any mirrorless on the market.
If they appear at some point, they are probably the third-party alternatives that will not be able to offer duplicate controls either.
Perhaps this decision is because the autofocus system is improved and can focus even in more unfavorable conditions and at less EV, but it is not entirely clear.
Nikon D780. Front view
D780. A D750 with a Z6 look
Main Specifications:
24.5MP Full-Frame CMOS backlit sensor with phase detection.
A burst of 7 shots per second (12 in electronic shutter mode)
Video capture in UHD 4K up to 30p using the full width of the sensor.
51 autofocus points.
273 focus points on the sensor in Live View (-4EV sensitivity)
3.2 ″ touchscreen rear display, with 2.36 million dots
Shutter from 900 seconds to 1/8000 sec
10-bit video over HDMI output
2260 shots battery life (using optical viewfinder)
Dual UHS-II SD card slot
Transfer via Snapbridge Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
What's new about the Nikon D780
The Nikon D780, on the outside, looks a lot like its predecessor the D750 (and also many other reflexes) but has been updated on the inside.These are the main novelties of the D780.
Shutter reaches 1/8000 sec (vs 1/4000 sec on D750)
The burst is 0.5fps faster than the D750. Now reaching 7 fps instead of the previous 6.5 fps.
It incorporates the measurement sensor and the D5 algorithms.
Double UHS-II SD card slot.
Video improvements, basically similar to the Z6.
The Nikon D780 sensor
The D780 offers the same resolution as its predecessor, which after 5 years leaves us a little taste.
However, there is a novelty regarding the sensor and that is that in this model the backlighting system (BSI) is incorporated. This does not result in better overall image quality, but it does in terms of the amount of light it collects at the edges, which is one of the F-mount's biggest problems.
The most interesting thing about the sensor seems to be that it incorporates double gain technology. This feature equips pixels with two capture modes: one with the maximum possible dynamic range and the other with more gain, enabling improved performance at high ISO when dynamic range is less critical. This technology has driven improvement in high ISO performance in recent years.
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Nikon D780. Folding screen.
The Nikon D780's sensor also has a much faster read speed, enabling video delivery at 30p from the full width of the sensor (6048 px) to the chip. This also provides the camera with a much faster burst, reaching up to 12 fps (if the electronic shutter is used).
Shutter improvements
The D780 also incorporates improvements to the shutter system, which now reaches 1/8000 sec instead of the already outdated 1/4000 of the D750. In addition, it is now possible to shutter up to 900 seconds (15 minutes) and the burst improved, but only 0.5 fps more.
The possibility of opting for the electronic shutter is incorporated, with the advantage of reaching 8 fps if we shoot 14-bit RAW or 12 fps if we do it with 12-bit RAW. Obviously, the use of electronic shutter exposes us to risks such as the appearance of banding or rolling shutter effects.
More from the Z6
Most of the D780's advantages are evident in Live View mode, mainly because these are features that it shares with its mirrorless cousin the Z6.The most notable feature is the phase-detection system in the sensor, taken directly from the Z. This allows for 273 focus sensors located around 90% of the frame.
Nikon D780 and Nikon Z6 size comparison
D780 versus Z6. The comparisons are hateful.
Additionally, it also incorporates the newly incorporated eye detection autofocus system in the latest firmware update for the Z6.
Basically, these features make the D780 a mirrored option with the enhancements of the mirrorless system.
Video with the Nikon D780
Another advantage of the D780 over its predecessor is the improvement in video recording. Since it evolved from the traditional 1080 / 60p to the (acceptable for the time) 4K 30p or 1080 / 120p.
Again autofocus improvements are more than welcome when recording video, allowing much better focus tracking and an improved interface thanks to the touch screen.
The D780 incorporates both microphone input and headphone output and gives us focus peaking alerts and warnings of overexposed areas (zebra warning).
If we are looking for the best video quality we can always make use of the HDMI output to record at 10 bit, with an external recorder obviously.
More cool features ...
The D780 incorporates special features for the realization of time-lapses, such as the possibility of creating a movie directly with the photos stored in a certain folder.
It also has the option of focus stacking of up to 300 photos with very small differences in the focus position of each.
Battery life
The D780 offers an exceptional battery life of over 2,000 shots. Obviously, this is achieved using the optical viewfinder and it is a great advantage over any mirrorless on the market.
Grip for Nikon D780
Unfortunately, there is no grip for this camera and most likely neither. Since the camera does not have connection pins at the bottom.If they appear at some point, they are probably the third-party alternatives that will not be able to offer duplicate controls either.
No built-in flash
The D780 also doesn't have a built-in flash, which the D750 did. According to Nikon, this is due to the search for a more resistant body. So the firm chose to withdraw it. Whatever they say, the built-in flash seems like a very useful tool for me when you know when to use it and what for. It's a pity that it doesn't.Without autofocus assist light
Another thing Nikon removed from this new model is the autofocus assist light, the little headlight that it tried to illuminate when the autofocus system faltered.Perhaps this decision is because the autofocus system is improved and can focus even in more unfavorable conditions and at less EV, but it is not entirely clear.
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