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Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6: Which One Should You Get?

Here's how the Nikon D780 compares to its mirrorless cousin, the Z6.

By Spencer Cox 29 Comments
Last Updated On April 8, 2020

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.”

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6

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 FeatureNikon D780Nikon Z6
Camera TypeDSLRMirrorless
Sensor Resolution24.5 MP24.5 MP
Sensor TypeBSI CMOSBSI CMOS
Sensor Size35.9 x 23.9mm35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor Pixel Size5.9µ5.9µ
Low Pass FilterYesYes
In-Body Image StabilizationNoYes
Dust Reduction / Sensor CleaningYesYes
Image Size6048 × 40246048 × 4024
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Native ISO SensitivityISO 100-51,200ISO 100-51,200
Boosted ISO SensitivityISO 50, ISO 100-204,800ISO 50, ISO 100-204,800
Image ProcessorEXPEED 6EXPEED 6
sRAW File SupportNoNo
Viewfinder TypePentaprismElectronic / EVF
Viewfinder Coverage100%, 0.7×100%, 0.8×
Built-in FlashNoNo
Storage Media2× SD, UHS-II Compatible1× XQD
Electronic Front-Curtain ShutterYesYes
Continuous Shooting Speed7 FPS mechanical shutter, 12 FPS with silent mode in Live View (12-bit RAW)12 FPS
Max Shutter Speed1/8000-900 sec, Bulb, Time1/8000 to 30 sec, Bulb, Time
Flash Sync Speed1/2001/200
Shutter Durability150,000200,000 cycles
Exposure Metering Sensor180,000-pixel RGB sensorTTL exposure metering using main image sensor
Highlight Weighted MeteringYesYes
Full aperture metering during Live View for stillsYesYes
Face and Eye AFYesYes
Pet Eye AFNoYes
Number of AF PointsViewfinder: 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 OutputAVCHD / MP4 Compression with 4:2:0 sampling, 10-bit via HDMI with 4:2:2 samplingAVCHD / MP4 Compression with 4:2:0 sampling, 10-bit via HDMI with 4:2:2 sampling
Video Maximum Resolution3840 x 2160 (4K) up to 30p, 1920×1080 up to 120p3840 x 2160 (4K) up to 30p, 1920×1080 up to 120p
Highlight Display (Zebra Stripes) in Live ViewYesYes
LCD Size and Type3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD Tilting3.2″ diagonal TFT-LCD Tilting
TouchscreenYesYes
LCD Resolution2,359,000 dots2,100,000 dots
Built-in GPSNoNo
Wi-Fi FunctionalityBuilt-inBuilt-in
BatteryEN-EL15b Lithium-ion BatteryEN-EL15b Lithium-ion Battery
Battery Life2260 shots (CIPA)330 shots (CIPA)
Weather Sealed BodyYesYes
Weight, Body Only (includes batteries and card)840 g (29.6 oz)675 g (23.9 oz)
Dimensions143.5 × 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.

Nikon Z6 Image Sample #39
NIKON Z6 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 24mm, ISO 100, 1/2, f/11.0

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.

Portrait Sample Photo Nikon D780
NIKON D780 + Tamron VR 90mm f/2.8G @ 90mm, ISO 100, 1/1600, f/3.0

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!

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Disclosures, Terms and Conditions and Support Options
Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: Nikon D780, Nikon Z6

About Spencer Cox

I'm Spencer Cox, a macro and landscape photographer based in Denver. My photos have been displayed in galleries worldwide, including the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and exhibitions in London, Malta, Siena, and Beijing. These days I'm active on Instagram and YouTube.

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Dave Williamson ~
Dave Williamson ~
February 22, 2022 8:53 pm

I’ve narrowed it down to possibly getting the Z6. I am buying it used with a lens (not sure yet) for $800, one year old. Sounds good…? ! To confirm this is legit, I should ask for the serial number? The shutter count is under 6000. I know, the shutter count can be changed. Anything else I should ask? My concern is that I need to take up to two hour videos. What is the best way to do that, with a 512 gig card or a solid state memory drive? Will I have a hard time crunching that down and posting it on YouTube or the like? I have a 2019 iMac 27” Am I stuck having to do half hour videos? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP, SPENCER! 🙏🏻 👍🏻

0
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Nisith Kr Das
Nisith Kr Das
September 3, 2021 12:15 pm

How it matters if Inbody Image stabilization is not there with D780 model ? Is there XLR audio connectivity with D780 ?

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Reply
Darien
Darien
February 11, 2021 8:48 pm

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.

1
Reply
Jill Love
Jill Love
January 26, 2021 11:58 am

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.

1
Reply
Jurry De Vries
Jurry De Vries
August 22, 2020 8:53 am

Hi
I couldn’t decide between the 2 so made my live easier and bought them both. Still happy with that choice

1
Reply
Oza
Oza
May 25, 2020 1:01 pm

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.

1
Reply
Muhammad Omer
Muhammad Omer
April 4, 2020 4:49 am

how will video auto focus work with D lenses

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Reply
Fb101
Fb101
April 3, 2020 5:27 pm

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?

1
Reply
Pieter Kers
Pieter Kers
Reply to  Fb101
April 4, 2020 3:17 pm

maybe it has to do with the mirror that also have to come up and own…

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Reply
EE
EE
April 1, 2020 10:15 pm

Z6 all the way. I purchased one almost a year ago and have been loving it. It is a very versatile camera. Really my only issue is that the max speed is only 1/2000, not the 1/8000 listed in the comparisons in the article (unless I’m really missing something)This can be a problem with really fast lines in bright light. But I love how the ease in manual focusing brings old ai-s lenses back to life. Can’t wait for the z20mm 1.8

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Reply
Spencer Cox
Spencer Cox
Author
Reply to  EE
April 1, 2020 11:23 pm

EE, glad you like the Z6 and I think I can help with your 1/2000 second problem. Just turn off electronic front curtain shutter! If you instead use either the mechanical shutter or the fully-electronic shutter (silent mode), you’ll have access to the full range, up to 1/8000 second.

Also perhaps of note is that we found (photographylife.com/mecha…utter-efcs) that there’s no real benefit to EFCS anyway if your camera has the other two options (as does the Z6); everything it does can be done better by either the mechanical or full electronic shutter.

Hope this fixes it!

3
Reply
EE
EE
Reply to  Spencer Cox
April 2, 2020 9:29 pm

Thanks so much Spencer! This really makes my day. I got around the issue by using a nd filter but even today I was caught with the filter off and a sunburst only to be overexposed cause it needed to exceed 1/2000. And thanks for clarifying that Effc is the same as mechanical or electronic

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Reply
Tieu Ngao
Tieu Ngao
April 1, 2020 3:50 pm

I’ve been using D750 for almost 5 years, and I’ll hang on to it for a little while more. My next camera would be:
– Z6 M2 for ~$2000, or
– Z6 for ~$1500, or
– Z70 for ~$1100.
Thanks for the article.

2
Reply

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