Today Nikon announced its latest generation full-frame DSLR, the Nikon D780. Built on the success of the extremely popular D750 and its mirrorless counterpart Z6, the Nikon D780 combines some of the best features from both cameras into a single compact and lightweight body.
The Nikon D780 sports a 24.5 MP BSI CMOS sensor with on-sensor phase detection. In addition to the advanced 51-point AF system, Nikon also implemented similar face and eye tracking detection autofocus in the camera as in the Z6 when shooting in live view mode. When switching from OVF to Live View, the number of autofocus points will jump to 273, covering approximately 90% of the frame. This makes D780 the first Nikon DSLR to feature such a hybrid autofocus system.
The Nikon D780 has a slightly faster continuous shooting speed of 7 FPS, which can be pushed all the way to 12 FPS in live view silent shutter mode (in 12-bit RAW). The maximum shutter speed has been bumped up to 1/8000th of a second from 1/4000 on the D750.
Nikon used the latest generation EXPEED 6 processor with a superior 180,000-pixel RGB metering sensor on the D780, making it possible to deliver superb video features, including fast and smooth autofocus tracking in live view mode. The Nikon D780 is now capable of shooting 4K video with full pixel readout, and 10-bit output with N-Log or HDR. Many of the video features present on the Z6, such as zebra stripes and focus peaking have also been implemented on the D780.
Although the D780 still has dual SD card slots, both have been upgraded to support UHS-II type cards, allowing for much faster read and write speeds. The tilting LCD screen has also been bumped up in resolution with a total of 2.36 million dots. The Nikon D780 features a USB Type-C port, which allows the camera’s battery to be charged through it.
The ergonomics of the camera have also been slightly improved. While the button layout is very similar to that of the D750, some of the buttons have been moved around and there is now a dedicated AF-ON button on the back of the camera, which is great.
Thanks to a much faster processor and lack of built-in flash, the CIPA rating for battery life on the Nikon D780 has been drastically improved from 1,230 shots to 2,260. Similar to the D750, the D780 also has a rugged magnesium alloy construction, and all the buttons and ports have been properly weather-sealed to be able to withstand dust, moisture and harsh weather conditions.
When it comes to price, the Nikon D780 will be available later this month in two different kits. The body-only version will retail for $2,299, while the body with the 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens will retail for $2,799.
good :
af ON button and 1/8000 shutter
usable live view for stills and video, silent shhoting in live view
dual *SD* cards, no expensive XQD media
only 24Mpx
fully compatible with F-mount lenses, including good old school screw AF portait masters such as 85 1.4d and 180 2.8d
no grip, no state of the art 153 point AF and super fast FPS :
well, D500 has all this. It’s less expensive, and it’s sensor is only 1EV behind any 20-24Mpx FF (SNR, tonal range, etc…). It has even better low iso dynamic range.
I won’t get one any time soon though, I am happy with D3s + D300s ;)
This is Nikon’s best DSLR yet for general photography. The liveview mode is even superior than the D850. One of the main advantages of mirrorless cameras have over DSLR is the ability to shoot without the eyes sticking with the viewfinder when needed, for example in ground level, over-head, shooting from outside of the window. This is extremely important for composition.
The much improved liveview mode is a big deal. With other Nikon DSLRs, if I want to shoot with the camera just above the water for a moving subject, which is feasible only in liveview mode, I had only one chance. After the shutter is pressed, the camera goes dark for a second. I have tried the D850 briefly, the response was still very slow. So I had a Fuji XT30 with me when I need to shoot in stretched out positions. The D780 change all that for Nikon users (Canon 5D4 had a good LV mode for a long time but without a tilt able screen).
There’s limitation in FPS when mechanical shutter is engadged, up to 3 frames per second I believe, not perfect, but having a responsive mechanism is much more important.
This is disappointing to see Nikon is incorporating the similar 51 points focusing sensor used in the 2007 year model D300, the later D700 and D750. Don’t you think it is very outdated?
And 24.5M pixels is similar to the D750 released in 2014, I cannot agree this is the right product for today. Look at what Sony and Canon are doing…
Kind of agree on the AF. Nikon claims improvements – I’d like to see how much better it is.
But what are Sony and Canon doing exactly? The competing Sony camera is also 24 mp. Canon has some at 30 MP but I think overall that sensor isn’t as good.
I read on one of those rumor sites the d780 may have sacrificed the external battery grip pins on the bottom for cost saving/weather sealing reasons. Any word on if this is true? Massive bummer if so.
Yes it is true. There are no contacts for grips.
Personally I think Nikon should make grips enabled via bluetooth. It would work great, and wouldn’t have the downsides associated with the contacts. But it doesn’t seem like that’s gonna happen.
The D780 does come with a pop-up flash…
David, unless you work for Nikon and know something the rest of the world doesn’t, the Nikon D780 does not have a pop-up flash.
No flash. Hmmm….
I have the D750 (and D700) and like the pop-up flash…especially using it in Commander mode.
David, I agree – having a pop-up flash with commander mode is quite helpful. What I have been hoping for, is a way for Nikon to integrate radio flash control into camera bodies…
Thank you! Agree on both.
Why do modern digital cameras have to be so feature packed? I would really like to see a modern digital camera exclusivly built for still images. Just the basics, maybe even with different focussing screens — no video and no wireless connectivity stuff.
Apart from the 900” shutter speed, I’m not really excited about this camera.
I’d really like to see an update to the F6, if only to allow the use of current E-type lenses. But that’s a pipe dream just as much as such a bare bones digital camera.
Thank you! Agree on both.
John, it is like asking why we need apps on a 4K TV. It is already too late for that, so might as well just live with it :) I don’t see Nikon touching the F6…technology is moving along.
Nasim, why is Nikon still producing brand new F6 cameras?
Alan, it is a legacy product, with very little demand that Nikon is able to match. At some point, it will most likely cease production…
The answer is pretty simple – because the market wants those features. And they don’t really add much cost, particularly in a camera with OSPDAF. There is a small group of folks who ask for what you want, but in this market Nikon (and all camera makers) have to try to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible.
Fully agreed. Why strip down a camera for a very small group of photographers, when they can do something that appeals to everyone?