The Nikon D780 is a versatile DSLR camera that offers a compelling combination of advanced features and traditional handling.
Sitting in the middle of Nikon’s full-frame DSLR lineup, positioned between the high-end D850 and the more affordable D610.
With a 24-megapixel sensor, advanced autofocus system, and 4K video capabilities, the D780 is designed for photographers and videographers who demand the highest quality and flexibility in a single camera body.
In this review, we will take a close look at the D780’s design, performance, features, and image quality to determine if it lives up to its reputation as one of the best DSLRs on the market.
Design and Build Quality:
The Nikon D780 has a traditional DSLR design with a weather-sealed body made of magnesium alloy. It feels solid and durable in the hand, with a comfortable grip and a weight of 840g (1.85lbs) without a lens.
The camera’s controls are well-placed and intuitive, with dual control dials and numerous customizable buttons allowing for easy access to commonly used settings.
One notable feature of the D780’s design is the inclusion of a tilting 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen. This makes it easier to compose shots from challenging angles, as well as to navigate the camera’s menu system and review images and videos.
The touchscreen is responsive and can be used for touch-to-focus and touch-to-shoot operations.
In addition to the LCD screen, the D780 also includes an optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage and a 0.7x magnification.
The viewfinder is bright and clear, and provides a classic shooting experience for those who prefer to use an optical viewfinder rather than an LCD screen.
Overall, the Nikon D780’s design and build quality are top-notch, with a solid feel, intuitive controls, and useful features such as the tilting touchscreen.
The camera’s weather-sealed body also makes it suitable for shooting in a variety of conditions, from dusty landscapes to rainy city streets.
Image Quality and Performance:
The Nikon D780 features a 24.5-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, which is paired with the EXPEED 6 image processor.
The camera has an ISO range of 100-51200, which can be expanded to 50-204800. The sensor produces sharp and detailed images, with excellent colour accuracy and dynamic range.
The camera’s low light performance is also impressive, with relatively low levels of noise even at higher ISO settings.
The D780’s autofocus system is based on a 51-point phase-detection system, with 15 cross-type sensors for improved accuracy.
The system is fast and accurate, with good subject tracking capabilities for both stills and video.
The camera also includes Eye-Detection AF, which automatically focuses on a subject’s eyes for portraits and other types of shots.
In terms of speed, the D780 can shoot at up to 7 frames per second with full AF and AE tracking.
The camera’s buffer can handle up to 100 shots in JPEG or 50 shots in 14-bit lossless compressed RAW.
The camera also includes a silent shooting mode, which is useful for shooting in quiet environments.
For video, the D780 can shoot 4K UHD video at up to 30 frames per second, with full pixel readout and no crop.
The camera also includes a variety of video features, such as focus peaking, zebra stripes, and the ability to output video over HDMI.
Overall, the Nikon D780 offers excellent image quality and performance, with a high-resolution sensor, accurate autofocus system, and fast shooting speeds.
The camera’s video capabilities are also impressive, making it a versatile tool for both stills and video work.
User Interface and Features:
The Nikon D780 has a user-friendly interface that will feel familiar to Nikon DSLR users. The camera’s menu system is organized logically and provides access to a wide range of settings and features.
The camera also includes a Quick Menu that provides quick access to frequently used settings, and a My Menu feature that allows users to create a custom menu with their preferred settings.
One of the D780’s standout features is its customizability. The camera includes numerous programmable buttons, allowing users to assign specific functions to buttons and dials for quick access. This is especially useful for advanced users who want to customize the camera to their specific shooting style.
The D780 also includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to transfer images and control the camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet.
The camera’s Wi-Fi connectivity also enables automatic image transfer to a computer or FTP server, which can be useful for professional photographers who need to send images quickly to clients or colleagues.
Other features of the D780 include a variety of creative modes such as multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, and focus shift shooting. The camera also includes in-camera raw processing, allowing users to adjust exposure, white balance, and other settings after the fact.
Overall, the Nikon D780’s user interface is intuitive and customizable, with a wide range of features and connectivity options that will appeal to both amateur and professional photographers.
The camera’s customizability and wireless connectivity make it a versatile tool for a variety of shooting situations.
Battery Life and Storage:
The Nikon D780 uses the same EN-EL15b battery as its predecessor, the D750. According to Nikon, the D780 is rated for approximately 2,260 shots per charge when using the optical viewfinder, or 2,120 shots per charge when using Live View.
This is a significant improvement over the D750’s battery life, which was rated for approximately 1,230 shots per charge.
In addition to its impressive battery life, the D780 also includes dual memory card slots, which is a first for a Nikon DSLR.
The camera includes one SD UHS-II card slot and one XQD/CFexpress Type B card slot. This allows users to shoot with two cards for backup, or to use one card for stills and the other for video.
The dual memory card slots also provide flexibility in terms of storage options. XQD and CFexpress Type B cards are some of the fastest memory cards available, and are ideal for shooting high-resolution images or 4K video.
SD cards are more widely available and affordable, making them a good choice for everyday shooting.
Overall, the Nikon D780’s battery life is impressive, and the inclusion of dual memory card slots provides flexibility and convenience for storage options.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
– Excellent image quality with a high-resolution full-frame sensor
– Accurate and fast autofocus system with Eye-Detection AF
– Impressive low light performance with relatively low levels of noise at high ISO
– Fast shooting speeds with a large buffer for continuous shooting
– Dual memory card slots for backup or versatile storage options
– Customizable interface with numerous programmable buttons and menus
– Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for remote shooting and image transfer
– Versatile video capabilities, including 4K UHD video at up to 30fps with no crop
Cons:
– Expensive compared to some other full-frame DSLRs on the market
– Limited dynamic range compared to some other high-resolution sensors
– No built-in flash or GPS functionality
– The XQD/CFexpress Type B memory card slot may require an additional investment in new memory cards for some users
– The camera’s Live View autofocus system may not be as fast or accurate as the optical viewfinder autofocus system.
Conclusion:
The Nikon D780 is an excellent DSLR that delivers impressive image quality, fast performance, and versatile features. Its high-resolution full-frame sensor, accurate and fast autofocus system, and impressive low light performance make it a great tool for photographers who demand the best image quality.
The camera’s dual memory card slots, customizable interface, and built-in wireless connectivity add convenience and flexibility for users.
While it may be a bit pricey and lacks some features such as built-in flash or GPS, the D780 is still a solid choice for both amateur and professional photographers who are looking for a high-performance DSLR. Overall, the Nikon D780 is a top-performing camera that delivers excellent results in a wide range of shooting situations.