Upon first glance, the Nikon D780 and Z6 appear to be very different cameras. The D780 is a traditional-looking DSLR with Nikon’s standard control layout, while the Z6 is a smaller and more streamlined mirrorless camera with a number of new design cues. But beneath the surface, the Nikon D780 and Nikon Z6 share a lot of similarities. It’s not unreasonable to call the D780 a “DSLR Z6,” or the Z6 a “mirrorless D780.”
Below, I’ll compare the Nikon D780 and Z6 and show where they differ, so you have a better idea of which one is right for you.
Specifications Comparison
Let’s start by comparing the specifications of these two cameras:
| Camera Feature | Nikon D780 | Nikon Z6 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | DSLR | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Resolution | 24.5 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Sensor Size | 35.9 x 23.9mm | 35.9 x 23.9mm |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.9µ | 5.9µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | Yes |
| In-Body Image Stabilization | No | Yes |
| Dust Reduction / Sensor Cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Image Size | 6048 × 4024 | 6048 × 4024 |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Native ISO Sensitivity | ISO 100-51,200 | ISO 100-51,200 |
| Boosted ISO Sensitivity | ISO 50, ISO 100-204,800 | ISO 50, ISO 100-204,800 |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 6 |
| sRAW File Support | No | No |
| Viewfinder Type | Pentaprism | Electronic / EVF |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100%, 0.7× | 100%, 0.8× |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Storage Media | 2× SD, UHS-II Compatible | 1× XQD |
| Electronic Front-Curtain Shutter | Yes | Yes |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 7 FPS mechanical shutter, 12 FPS with silent mode in Live View (12-bit RAW) | 12 FPS |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000-900 sec, Bulb, Time | 1/8000 to 30 sec, Bulb, Time |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Shutter Durability | 150,000 | 200,000 cycles |
| Exposure Metering Sensor | 180,000-pixel RGB sensor | TTL exposure metering using main image sensor |
| Highlight Weighted Metering | Yes | Yes |
| Full aperture metering during Live View for stills | Yes | Yes |
| Face and Eye AF | Yes | Yes |
| Pet Eye AF | No | Yes |
| Number of AF Points | Viewfinder: 51 Phase Detection AF points, 15 cross-type Live view: 273 Hybrid Detect AF points | 273 Hybrid Detect AF points |
| Detection Range | -3 to +19 EV viewfinder; -6 to +17 EV live view | -4 to +19 EV |
| Video Output | AVCHD / MP4 Compression with 4:2:0 sampling, 10-bit via HDMI with 4:2:2 sampling | AVCHD / MP4 Compression with 4:2:0 sampling, 10-bit via HDMI with 4:2:2 sampling |
| Video Maximum Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K) up to 30p, 1920×1080 up to 120p | 3840 x 2160 (4K) up to 30p, 1920×1080 up to 120p |
| Highlight Display (Zebra Stripes) in Live View | Yes | Yes |
| LCD Size and Type | 3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD Tilting | 3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD Tilting |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| LCD Resolution | 2,359,000 dots | 2,100,000 dots |
| Built-in GPS | No | No |
| Wi-Fi Functionality | Built-in | Built-in |
| Battery | EN-EL15b Lithium-ion Battery | EN-EL15b Lithium-ion Battery |
| Battery Life | 2260 shots (CIPA) | 330 shots (CIPA) |
| Weather Sealed Body | Yes | Yes |
| Weight, Body Only (includes batteries and card) | 840 g (29.6 oz) | 675 g (23.9 oz) |
| Dimensions | 143.5 × 115.5 × 76.0 mm (5.6 × 4.5 × 3.0 inches) | 134 × 100.5 × 67.5 mm (5.3 × 4.0 × 2.7 inches) |
| MSRP, Body Only (at time of review publication) | $2300 (Check Current Price) | $1800 (Check Current Price) |
Which Camera Should You Get?
As you can tell, the D780 and Z6 share a lot of similarities, including important features like their live view implementation and video specifications. Even in many of the places where they differ, not all photographers will agree on which one is preferable (for example, the choice between dual SD cards vs a single XQD has generated a lot of argument).
Many of the differences just come down to the fact that the D780 is a DSLR and the Z6 is mirrorless. Do you prefer an optical or electronic viewfinder? How much do you care about your camera’s size and weight? Every photographer is different in that regard.
At least the two have the same image sensor. Nikon’s 24.5 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor is one of the best on the market at high ISOs and has excellent dynamic range. You’ll get great image quality regardless of which camera you pick.
In practice, the only real difference in image quality between these two cameras is due to your choice of lens. The D780 has native access to Nikon’s huge lineup of F-mount lenses, which cover practically any need you can think of. The Z6 doesn’t have nearly as many native lenses at the moment, but the Z-mount lenses so far have been consistently excellent, and you can still adapt F-mount lenses via the (somewhat annoying to use) FTZ adapter if you need some more specialization.
And, of course, price is a factor as well. Because the Nikon D780 is newer, it’s selling for a somewhat inflated price of $2300 at the time of this article’s publication and is harder to find used. The Z6 is a much more reasonable $1800, and also sells for better prices used because it’s been out longer. That alone argues for the Z6 if you’re on the fence or starting a new camera system from scratch.
Even ignoring price, at the end of the day, I’d get the Z6 for travel and landscape photography. I also consider it a better general “family photo/video” camera because it’s more portable and has in-body image stabilization. The Nikon D780, on the other hand, is better for sports, wildlife, and stage photography thanks to its excellent 51-point viewfinder autofocus system and native access to F-mount telephoto lenses. Professional wedding, studio, and portrait photographers will appreciate the D780’s longer battery life and bigger native lineup of specialized lenses, too.
I personally decided on the Z6 as my primary video camera and backup landscape/travel photography camera, but I do really like the D780 as well. I’ve used it extensively and wrote a comprehensive review of the Nikon D780 if you want to know more (and we have a Z6 review too).
Let me know below if you have any questions about these two cameras and I’ll do my best to answer!
D780 came too late for me. After waiting for a D750 upgrade for ages I went for a Z6 and I have been very happy with it ever since.
I see one major advantage of D780 and it is the battery life. Still, with my Z6 I have never been in need to use my spare battery so far. I have shot up to 800 shots per day and the battery never ran out of power. It is true that I do not shoot birds at half a mile away and do not shoot sports very much, so that I don’t need the C-AF where the reviews say that Z6 is behind the rest. In fact I have been very happy with its AF (FW 3.00), the face and eye recognition work quite fine.
I see many advantages of Z6 over my previous DSLRs. The weight and size are obvious ones. The EVF lets you frame, focus and shoot in almost complete darkness. IBIS is another big one. But the most significant for me are the new Z lenses which are incredible. I have both F and Z lenses of the same kind (24/1.8, 35/1.8, 50/1.8, 85/1.8 and zooms) and the Z lenses are something different. Z6 can shoot with all recent F lenses and the Z lenses, while D780 can shoot with the F lenses only. This alone is the decisive factor for me. The FTZ is ugly and clumsy but there will be better adapters soon, I think.
Hi
I couldn’t decide between the 2 so made my live easier and bought them both. Still happy with that choice
Great article Spencer, I’d appreciate your two cents though!
My next camera is definitely going to be either the Z6 or a used D850 (currently shoot with the D750), I’m just having a hard time weighing if I should stick with a DSLR or switch to mirrorless since I shoot a lot of film and extensively use a Nikon F100. This marries me to still using F-mount lenses and makes me wonder if sticking with an OVF would be better for consistency between film and digital or if all the benefits of mirrorless make it worth while. I’ll also be using the FTZ for the majority of the time, but that 24-70 F4 Z does seems like a worth-while lens to have in my kit. I’m leaning towards mirrorless, but I keep going back and forth between the two and I’m curious, would you stick to an OVF or embrace the EVF?
Hey Kevin, not sure why I just got the email for this comment, but here’s what I’d suggest.
First, have you tried the EVF on the Z6? I really like it, personally – more so than an OVF. But for some photographers, EVFs in general bother them for one reason or another. If you have the ability to test out a Z6 first, even for a few minutes, I’d definitely try it to make sure you’re fine with the EVF.
Beyond that, the Z cameras are really best with Z lenses. The FTZ adapter works all right, but if you mainly plan to shoot with F mount glass for the foreseeable future, I’d lean toward an F-mount camera. The D850 is such an excellent camera that it makes this even more true.
Still, I’d go with the Z6 if weight is a critical factor for what you shoot, or if you already prefer live view rather than the OVF when shooting with the D750. The live view implementation on the Z6 with Z lenses is second to none (even the D780), especially in terms of focus speed and accuracy.
Sorry if this just made your decision even trickier, but at least you can be confident that neither is a bad option!
I got the Z6 when it came out, although it takes great images the evf gets on my wick sometimes. So I go back to my D700 for therapy…seriously….Make me a D850 with ibis and focus points all over the optical viewfinder, or at least like the D500 and I will buy a pair.
Cheers.
I will get d780 it has more lens and i dont shot video, i hate conventors
110% agree! Battery life 7x for d780 :))
Spencer, Could use some help. So many great choices out there. The more I look the more confused. I will primarily be using it to shot my large landscape paintings as well as landscape reference, video for my channel. Of course price is a issue. The D850 would be great but getting steep. I think I the large mpg , would be best, but maybe I could get away with the Z6 or D780. Any opinions. Also like the idea of a manufacturers warranty.
I’m trying to decide between the two. I do two types of photography equally; travel and still/macro with a manual lens. I like the obscure look of the Z for travel as well as the weight. But I’m concerned about focusing up close with macro work and a manual lens with the Z. Suggestions? Price doesn’t factor into it for me. Thank goodness.
I would get the z6 for it’s image stabilization, and the 780 for it’s SD dual card slots and for the longer battery life.
how will video auto focus work with D lenses
I had never looked at the specs this closely but two things surprised me.
Why is shutter of the D780 rated 50k shots less than the Z6? I would have thought they used the same… obviously not but I wonder why.
The AF rating in live view is surprising. Same sensor, so why would one go to -6 and the other -4 only?
maybe it has to do with the mirror that also have to come up and own…