Nikon D780 initial review

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Nikon D780 initial review

07 Jan

Introduction

The Nikon D780 is a replacement for one of the most well-rounded DSLRs ever made: the D750. It’s still built around a 24MP sensor and 51-point AF system but the more you dig in, the more you discover it’s a much more capable machine: a DSLR that’s learned a lot from mirrorless.

Many aspects of the camera’s behavior, from autofocus and video performance to interval shooting have been significantly improved, bringing a lot of the Z6’s capabilities to F-mount owners.

Key Specifications:

24.5MP BSI CMOS sensor with on-sensor phase detection
7 frame per second shooting (12 fps in 12-bit electronic shutter mode)
UHD 4K capture at up to 30p from the full width of the sensor
51-point AF module supported by 180,000 pixel RGB metering sensor
273 point on-sensor PDAF in Live View (sensitive to -4 EV)
3.2″, 2.36M-dot touchscreen
Shutter range of 900 – 1/8000 sec
10-bit video output over HDMI
2260 shots per charge with viewfinder
Dual UHS-II SD card slots
Snapbridge Bluetooth and Wi-Fi system (with Raw and video transfer)

The Nikon D780 will be available from late January with an MSRP of $ 2,299.95 (the same price as the D750, in 2014), or as a kit with the AF-S 24-120mm F4G ED VR lens for $ 2,799.95.

What’s new and how it compares

The D780 uses elements borrowed from both the D5 and Z6 to deliver a camera that’s more of a step forward from the D750 it replaces.

The D780 has no built-in flash, but it does have a touchscreen and one of the best interfaces on the market for stills/video shooters.

The D750 was hugely capable, but the D780 builds on that significantly. It’s a way for F-mount lens owners to gain the things Nikon has learned from its Z-series cameras. Which, in turn, might make it a great advert for the Z mount.

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