The Nikon D780, announced on the 6th of January 2020, is a full-frame Digital Single-lens Reflex camera. It was released on the 23rd of January 2020. It supersedes the highly-praised Nikon D750.
The camera is a high-performance DSLR suitable for several still photographs and video shooting. Simply put, D780 is the upgraded version of the D750. It sports several advanced features and systems, which make it one of the best expert-level cameras you can find on the market today. In fact, the D780 was awarded the best expert DSLR camera at the TIPA awards 2020.
The model is fast, durable, and supports 4K video recording, impressive long exposures, improved AF performance, quality images and footage, and several advanced functions and capabilities. It also has Dual UHS-II card slots, and two readout modes and wireless functions are supported.
General
Pros |
---|
180K-pixel RGB sensor |
Multi-CAM 3500 II DX AF |
BSI image sensor |
Great low-light performance |
Cons |
---|
No built-in flash |
Expensive |
No IBIS |
Price: $2,196. Buy from Amazon.
Key Features
24.5MP FX-Format Back-side Illuminated CMOS Sensor and EXPEED 6 Processor
The expert-level Nikon D780 features a 24.5MP backside-illuminated full-frame sensor, which helps to capture and render highly detailed images with ultra-shallow depth of field and edge-to-edge sharpness. It also helps to provide fast-speed readouts and procession and impressive low-light performance.
The BSI full-frame imaging sensor works with the EXPEED 6 image processing engine to help the camera render beautiful stills and videos with less digital noise, even under poor lighting conditions.
Advanced 51-Point Multi-CAM 3500 II DX AF Sensor
Furthermore, the D780 features an advanced Multi-CAM 3500 II DX AF system, which employs 51 phase-detection points to quickly detect and focus on the subjects anywhere in the frame.
In addition to the 51 phase-detection points, the system has 15 cross-type points, which provides greater accuracy to centrally-located subjects in low-light situations. 11 of the center-most point is also sensitive down to an aperture value of f/8, benefitting the use of teleconverters and telephoto lenses.
273-point Phase-detection AF System
Furthermore, the camera has an improved 273-point phase-detection AF system that detects and tracks subjects throughout the frame with high-level accuracy when shooting pictures or videos in live view mode.
180K-Pixel Advanced Scene Recognition System And Exposure Metering
The D780 has an intelligent Scene Recognition System with 3D Color Matrix Metering III, which uses a 180K-pixel RGB sensor to detect and analyze crucial information about the scene’s brightness, contrast, colors, and subject distance. Then, the system makes automatic adjustments to ensure an accurate white balance, exposure, and focus settings to get the best shots out of the scene.
Creative Picture Controls And Special Effects Mode
The D780 is equipped with 20 unique, high-quality creative picture controls, such as Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, and Somber, which can be previewed in real-time and applied to photos and videos to create more stunning effects.
Video And Image Qualities
The camera has superb image and video qualities. It can record 4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 at 30p videos using the full-frame FXbased movie image area, without any crop. Full HD (1080p) video recording is also allowed at up to 120p for slow motion playback. Furthermore, the D780 has a 10-bit N-Log and HDR (HLG) video options to help preserve more detail and maximize the dynamic range and contrast in the video.
Check other camera reviews under $2800-
Nikon Z6 – An All-round Performance Camera
Nikon D7500 – Best 2018 APS-C DSLR Expert Camera
Canon EOS M6 Mark II – The Ultimate Content Creation Camera
Olympus E-M1X – Suitable For All Forms Of Outdoor Photography
Canon EOS 6D Mark II – Full-frame Digital Single-lens Reflex Camera
Sony A7C – A Compact High-performance Full-frame Mirrorless Camera
Canon EOS R6 – High-speed Performance Interchangeable Lens Camera
Olympus E-M1 Mark III – A Versatile Micro Four-thirds Mirrorless Camera
Photo Clicked by Nikon D780
Viewfinder And Display
The Nikon D780 is integrated with an Eye-level Pentaprism Single-Lens Reflex Viewfinder With approx. 0.7x magnification and 100% frame coverage. It also sports a 3.2inches TFT touch-sensitive LCD with a 170° viewing angle and approximately 100% frame coverage.
Display
Viewfinder
Body Build And Design
Nikon built the cameras with magnesium alloy and fiber materials to protect the advanced technologies contained within. The body is dust and moisture-resistant. Thus it can be used in harsh weather conditions. It weighs approximately 840g (body only).
However, it is portable. The grip has been improved, which makes handling more comfortable. Finally, all the vital buttons are duly placed for easy access and operation.
Low Light Performance
The D780 has exceptional low-light performance. The camera has a high sensitivity ISO of up to ISO 51,200 (expandable to ISO 204,800), which helps it to thrive in dim lighting situations.
The imaging sensor and processing engine further ensure the low-light deliverables are sharp, color-rich, and well-detailed. This makes the camera also ideal for nighttime shooting and astrophotography.
Lens System
Exposure & White Balance
Camera Flash
Communications
Video Recording
Speed Performance
The DSLR can click high-resolution shots at approximately 7-frames per second when using the optical viewfinder. In the live view mode, users can shoot approximately 12 frames per second in complete silence at full resolution. Practically, the speed is quite impressive.
Battery Performance
The battery life’s span is also quite impressive. It can record approximately 2,260 shots per charge, according to CIPA testing standards.
During video recording, the battery will last up to 95 minutes per charge, according to CIPA. This makes the camera suitable for travel, camping, and adventure photography.
What Type Of Photography Is The Nikon D780 DSLR Suitable For?
The Nikon D780 DSLR camera is suitable for landscape, portrait, and wedding photography. The long battery life span also makes it ideal for travel photography as well as astrophotography.
Who Should Buy? Value For Money?
The D780 is an expert-level camera. However, it is also ideal for advanced-level photographers who want to take full advantage of its advanced features.