Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6

By admin, on January 13th, 2020

Get Nikon D780 camera from B&H Store | Amazon.com

Let’s compare the Nikon Z6 with Nikon D780 camera. We have done a very detailed comparison review between these two camera, let’s find out the best one for you.

1. Sensor and Mount Comparison

As we all know Nikon Z is Nikon’s future mount at the same time the Z-Mount do have the ability of adapting F-Mount seamlessly. That’s is if you have a bunch of FX mount lenses then even you can easily migrate to new Z system.

Sensor of both the camera is exactly the same, we have no difference between them. At the same time both cameras do have the same kind of low-pass filter inside them. So, due to the nature of mount if user have S-line of lenses he will get better image quality compared to the Nikon D780 DSLR Camera.

2. Built-in image stabilization in Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6 have built-in image stabilization which gives you 4.5 Stops of IS. With Nikon Z6 you can shoot more neat low-light images with your hands since it allows you to shoot up to 4 stops slower speed under low light condition. One of the biggest advantages you will have while shooting with camera Nikon Z6 with FTZ adapter allow you to use Nikon Prime lenses and you when you get backup of sensor shift IS you can extract the maximum amount of details in available light conditions.

	Nikon D780	Nikon Z6
Lens Mount	Nikon F	Nikon Z
Camera Format	Full-Frame (1x Crop Factor)	Full-Frame (1x Crop Factor)
Low Pass Filter	Yes (weak)	Yes (weak)
Pixels	Actual: 24.92 Megapixel Effective: 24.5 Megapixel	Actual: 25.28 Megapixel Effective: 24.5 Megapixel
Maximum Resolution	6048 x 4024	6000 x 4000
Aspect Ratio	1:1, 3:2, 16:9	1:1, 3:2
Sensor Type	CMOS BSI	CMOS BSI
Sensor Size	35.9 x 23.9 mm	35.9 x 23.9 mm
Image File Format	JPEG, Raw	JPEG, Raw
Bit Depth	14-Bit	14-Bit
Image Stabilization	None	Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis

3. Better low light Camera between Nikon D780 and Nikon Z6 ?

Nikon Z6 and Nikon D780 camera have same sensor, now here is a glitch. Many users were waiting for Nikon D780 with a hope that it will have no OLPF (optical low pass filter) architecture since the Nikon Z6 do have LPF (low pass filter), as we all know the absence LPF make images more sharp. But, Nikon disappointed us this time again and the Nikon D780 camera do have LPF same as of Nikon Z6.

4. So, we will get Same image quality from Nikon Z6 and D780 ?

Yes, if you are using F-mount lenses in Nikon Z6, But, as we all know Nikon Z-mount is an advance mount and features 52mm diameter with shortest flange distance among its competitor allowing more light to get into the camera sensor. So, if you have S-line of lenses with you then for sure you will see better image quality compared to Nikon D780 with F-mount lens.

5. Best camera for Fast Auto Focus, Nikon D780 or Nikon Z6

Technically due to the nature of DSLR system Nikon also added 51 point Phase AF sensor inside the Nikon D780. The phase AF system is active when you are using OVF [optical viewfinder] of the camera. So, when you are in viewfinder mode of Nikon D780 camera you are using an inferior AF system with less screen coverage [273 vs 51] compared to Hybrid AF system. At the same time when you are with Nikon Z6, you are getting 273 AF points support in viewfinder, LIVE VIEW and Video Mode.

	Nikon D780	Nikon Z6
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, 100 to 51200 (Extended: 50 to 204800)	Auto, 100 to 51200 (Extended: 50 to 204800)
Shutter Speed	Electronic Front Curtain Shutter 1/8000 to 30 Seconds 1/8000 to 900 Seconds Bulb Mode Time Mode	Electronic Front Curtain Shutter 1/8000 to 30 Seconds Bulb Mode
Metering Method	Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Matrix, Spot	Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Matrix, Spot
Exposure Modes	Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority	Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority
Exposure Compensation	-5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps)	-5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps)
Metering Range	-3 to 20 EV	-4 to 17 EV
White Balance	Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual, Shade	Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual, Shade
Continuous Shooting	Up to 12 fps at 24.5 MP Up to 7 fps at 24.5 MP	Up to 12 fps at 24.5 MP Up to 5.5 fps at 24.5 MP
Interval Recording	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	2/5/10/20-Second Delay	2/5/10/20-Second Delay
Mirror Lock-Up	Yes

6. Nikon D780 extended Shutter

Nikon D780 arrived with extended shutter range, as we can see Nikon D780 have Max opening of 900 Sec. That’s really awesome to have when you have to get long exposure shot of more than 30 sec duration. As usual, Nikon Z6 is bonded with traditional Max Shutter opening limit of 30sec.

	Nikon D780	Nikon Z6
Recording Modes	MOV/H.264 UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p	MOV/MP4/H.264 UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p
External Recording Modes	10-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) Full HD (1920 x 1080)	10-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) Full HD (1920 x 1080)
Recording Limit	Up to 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds	Up to 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds
Video Encoding	NTSC/PAL	NTSC/PAL
Audio Recording	Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input (Stereo)	Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input
Audio File Format	AAC, Linear PCM (Stereo)	AAC, Linear PCM (Stereo)

7. Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6, better Video Camera ?

As from the comparison table we can clearly see that Nikon D780 have same video features as we have in Nikon Z6 Mirrorless camera. So, from both the camera you will get same video output.

8. Best Auto-focus mode – Nikon Z6 vs. Nikon D780

Nikon D780 uses Dual AF system due to the presence of OVF in the camera. So, when you are using OVF the AF capability of the camera is slightly limited with 51 AF points. At the same time Eye AF and face tracking is completely absent in viewfinder shooting mode. No, AF issues in Nikon Z6 either you are shooting in Viewfinder, Live-view mode and Video mode.

	Nikon D780	Nikon Z6
Focus Type	Auto and Manual Focus	Auto and Manual Focus
Focus Mode	Continuous-Servo AF (C), Full-Time Servo (F), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S)	Continuous-Servo AF (C), Full-Time Servo (F), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S)
Autofocus Points	Phase Detection: 51 (15 Cross-Type) Phase Detection: 273	Phase Detection: 273
Autofocus Sensitivity	-3 to +19 EV Extended mode -6EV	-3 to +19 EV Extended mode -6EV

9. Dual Card Slot in Nikon D780

Nikon D780 have Dual card slot (UHS II) and Nikon Z6 (XQD) have single card slot. As usual having more than one card slot really helps have more space at the same time you can create an instant backup if you are shooting important events.

Memory Card Slot	Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)	Single Slot: CFexpress Type B / XQD
Connectivity	USB Type-C (USB 3.1), HDMI C (Mini), 3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone	3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone, HDMI C (Mini), Nikon DC2, USB Type-C (USB 3.0)
Wireless	Bluetooth Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi Bluetooth
GPS	No	No

10. Price Difference

Nikon D780

Nikon Z6

Nikon D780 DSLR Camera with 24-120mm Lens

Nikon Z 6 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 24-70mm Lens and FTZ Mount Adapter Kit

$2,796.95

$2,443.90

11. Nikon Z vs Nikon F – Mount Difference

Nikon Z mount is Nikon Future Mount, the ability of Z mount is to get more light in it and with less flange distance you will get better image quality then DSLRs, the Z-mount can accept Nikon F Mount lenses without any issue with all AF capability you were getting in S-line of Lenses.

. Nikon F Mount is a limited and old mount and not able to accept new S-line of lenses.

Verdict: Both cameras have same Sensor and Video features. If you are someone who wants an affordable camera with IBIS and advance Z Mount you can get Nikon Z6. Nikon D780 if for those who love DSLR OVF and wants to have Dual Card slot in their camera.

Get Nikon Z6 camera from B&H | Amazon.com