The Nikon D780 is an interesting mash-up of their best DSLR tech and early mirrorless tech. However, does combining those make any sense?
Nikon wasn’t an early adopter of mirrorless camera tech. After they unleashed the original Z6 and Z7 cameras, they released the D780. It’s a camera I didn’t understand until I used it. Why have a camera with the latest mirrorless features, but you can only use them in live view? Read on to find out.
The Good
- Excellent AF in the viewfinder as well as mirrorless features in live view
- Basically has Z6 video capabilities
- Excellent ergonomics
- Works natively with nearly every F-mount lens
- Dual card slots and rugged build quality
- Ridiculously good battery life (Over 2000 CIPA-rated shots in OVF)
The Bad
- No IBIS
- 10-bit video is only available through HDMI
- No AF joystick
- Nikon probably won’t make a D880
Nikon D780: Too long, didn’t read
The Nikon D780 is almost a one-of-a-kind camera. It’s got D5 autofocus tech in the viewfinder, and Z6 tech in live view. The only other camera like it is the Canon 90D, and it’s an APS-C body. This makes the D780 an excellent hybrid of pinnacle DSLR tech and current mirrorless features.
If you enjoy the experience of shooting through an optical viewfinder but want access to mirrorless tracking and video specs, then you’re who this camera suits. It’s an absolute joy to shoot as a traditional DSLR. Nikon’s 3D tracking is still amazing. The viewfinder is big, bright, and beautiful to look through.
Hit the button for live view, and now you have a Z6 with DSLR ergonomics. The full Z6 autofocus system is present, as are all of its video features, sans IBIS. If this camera had a joystick and IBIS, it would be incredibly hard to fault it. I’ll admit, I didn’t understand why anyone would want this camera when it was announced. Now that I’ve spent time with it, I want one.
Nikon D780 – Does it photo?
To find out how capable the Nikon D780 is, I took it on a bike ride, a day of hunting landscapes, and went after some bird and nature photos. I was able to put it through the paces with newer Nikkor lenses and older D series lenses. It delivered the goods in a lot of situations. Let’s dig into it.
The lenses used were the Nikkor 300mm PF, Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G, and an old Tamron 35-105mm f/2.8 screw-drive lens.
Autofocus
The Nikon D780 is no slouch when it comes to autofocus. While it still kept the same 51-point layout as the D750, it gained some behind-the-scenes tech from the Nikon D5. On the live view front, it can do everything the Z6 can do. That means it’s one of the best DLSR autofocus systems available, and in live view, it’s slightly behind the best mirrorless tech.
The photos above were taken with the old Tamron lens that’s autofocus is driven by the screw-drive system of the Nikon D780. I was surprised when the camera was able to track through bursts of action even with this old lens mounted. Nikon’s 3D tracking was great for keeping up with the bikes and pups.
With the 35mm f/1.4 equipped, I alternated between using the OVF system and live view, depending on the situation. I found both methods to be totally usable and accurate, even at f/1.4. I had a great time shooting environmental portraits with the Nikon D780. The eye detect in live view was great for the fast lens when closer up, and the face detect in the OVF was excellent for full-body shots.
Video
I, unfortunately, don’t have a sample video for the D780 at this time. However, I did use it on the bike ride to film some reels for my friend’s Instagram. I was happily surprised by its capability. Aside from IBIS, the D780 can do everything the Z6 can (except RAW video output). Shockingly, the digital stabilization is actually pretty good. It’s not gimble-like, but I’d say it’s nearly on par with the IBIS in a Sony A7III.
Quality-wise, you get the same excellent-quality video you’d expect from the Nikon Z6. The picture quality looks great. You get 4k capability, as well as 1080 up to 120 fps. You can also get 10-bit color if you record through HDMI. This is the best DSLR Nikon ever made for video. The Nikon D780 probably wouldn’t be my first choice for a video camera, but for a photographer who wants great video every once in a while, it’s more than capable.
Image Quality
The image quality on the Nikon D780 is great. There are slight improvements from the D750. It’s good to see the upgrade to the faster reading BSI sensor didn’t hinder the image quality in any way. High ISO performance is at least on par with the other cameras in the 24-megapixel range.
The dynamic range on the Nikon D780 is very good. You can easily expose for the highlight and lift the shadows in post without a noise penalty. This makes it great for landscape or situations when you want a faster shutter speed but don’t want to sacrifice your highlights.
Nikon color is generally well-regarded, and you get plenty of it with the Nikon D780. The JPEG engine does an excellent job, and the RAW files are easy to work with. I have read reports that the camera can suffer from shutter shock, but I shot mostly with the electronic front-curtain turned on. I didn’t experience any issues with shutter shock on my days out.
Nikon D780 – Touch Test
Ergonomically, the Nikon D780 is great. The grip is nice and chunky, without being too much. This camera feels great in the hand. Keeping hold of it is never an issue. Anyone familiar with Nikon won’t have much issue adjusting to it. The buttons are all smartly placed and feel natural to use.
However, I do wish it had an AF joystick or let you use the touch screen to move AF points while using the viewfinder. It’s not a deal-breaking issue, but it would be nice to have. Speaking of touch screens, the touch screen on the D780 is super nice. Touch to focus in live view works perfectly, especially when paired with tracking.
Build Quality
Build quality is what you would expect from a higher-end Nikon DSLR. The camera feels stout and tough. While it may not boast IPX ratings, it’s not a camera I’d feel the need to baby in the field. Nikon has a reputation for building tough cameras, and I wouldn’t worry too much about the Nikon D780 in that regard. It’s weather sealed and can handle a tough day at work.
Nikon D780 – I get it now
The Nikon D780 was a confusing camera to me when it was announced. It was an improved D750, with a Z6 trapped behind the live view button. I didn’t get what made it worth looking at. However, now that I’ve used it, I’ve fallen in love.
I’ve grown to prefer using a DSLR over a mirrorless these days. Something about it just feels right. Not many mirrorless cameras can match the feel of an SLR. The OVF still has some advantages over the EVF as well. However, with the D780, you don’t really have to give up much to mirrorless to get that experience.
This camera strikes a great balance between old school and the latest tech. Want the DSLR experience? It’s there. Want accurate eye tracking for using an 85mm f/1.4 for portraits or need to shoot some high-quality video? Just hit the live view button. The Nikon D780 may suffer from an identity crisis, but if you like it, it’s hard to beat. In fact, I think I may be buying one to be my digital camera of choice!
Your review made me decide to purchase a D780.
Awesome! I hope you love it as much as I do. I ended up buying the one I used for this review, myself.
Thank you for great explanation. I was looking to buy Z7II as the sales price is so incredible, but was questioning the use of my absolute favorite nikkor 18 – 300 lens with it from your story I realize that Z is not everything and I probably should be happy with what I have even if I can’t do full frame African wildlife (my specialty)
Thanks and happy shooting
Yeah, the Z7II is an excellent camera. But yeah, you’d definitely want to upgrade lenses with it.
Did you mean your current camera is the D7500? If so, that’s still a great camera as well. For Wildlife, having that little extra reach with APS-C/DX cameras is super nice, and your 18-300mm is really versatile.
If you like your camera but want to get a better lens for big zoom, I really loved using the Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6. Super sharp, lighter than the Sigma and Tamron 150-600s, and constant f/5.6 was really nice. It wouldn’t be as versatile or compact, though.
Anyway, I hope you’re getting awesome photos and thanks for reading and commenting!
I recently bought this camera for my son who is a photographer on assignment in Africa. Your review left me convinced of the 780s wildlife capabilities but not of headshots of humans.
That’s fair, I don’t often do portrait photography. It’s also not a genre of photography that demands a lot from the camera. That said, the 780 has great face and eye tracking autofocus that makes people photography even easier.
Sorry, I missed telling I should mostly with D750
I bought the Z5 to dive into to mirrorless market and see if it was a worthy update to the DSLR and my D780. Sadly I lost my D780 and had to make the Z5 my primary. I was thoroughly unimpressed with mirrorless and have since repurchased a D780 and love it all over again
Glad you were able to get one again and that you’re happy with it! I’ve swapped around over the years and just find myself enjoying a DSLR more as well. Nothing really wrong with the mirrorless cameras I’ve tried, but I just feel like I connect better with my 780 for some reason. Plus F-mount glass keeps getting more affordable! There’s no way I could afford the lenses I want in Z or RF mount these days.
Considered “upgrading” from my pair of D750’s to early Nikon mirror less. I was ok adapting over a dozen F- mount lenses but stumbled upon and bought a second hand D780 with less than 400 shutter clicks in 2020 for $1000. Seller needed cash during the pandemic, and a serial # check proved not stolen, USA model. Best purchase ever made! Heartbreakingly sold both D750’s “collecting dust” to great homes. Definitely excited with the insanely improved AF, ability to still use older, screw drive lenses, awesome VR with newer lenses and significantly better dynamic range. Knowing what I do now, I’d still buy this DSLR body today at current retail prices and be perfectly happy. On my stout gimbal, real estate videos in live view is almost mindless and a breeze. Me and my F-mount lenses are happy! (Oh, I did end up adding a little Z50 for travel and go feet wet on mirroless…may have to save up for the Z6III now…)
Nice! Super glad you’re enjoying it so much. Sounds like you found a great deal, as well. There’s definitely something nice about using a great DSLR like that. It’ll be interesting to see what Nikon does when they get to Z6iii. They definitely pulled out all the stops on the Z8/9!
I’m loving my D780. Chose it over a mirrorless system.
Good to hear that! There’s just something about an SLR that mirrorless just doesn’t quite match.
You forgot that the FF Canon 5D MIV has DPAF for video and live view which is far superior to the D780 and Z6/Z7 AF.
Canon introduced DPAF in anticipation of going mirrorless in 2013.
That’s fair. I don’t know if I would call it far superior, or even better than, the 780/z6. It wasn’t quite as feature filled on the 5DIV. The 5D sensor also had less DR, wasn’t as good at higher ISO’s, and was beginning to show its age by the time the EOS R came around. I would say that the EOS R DPAF was better than the Z6/D780, however. That modernized it a bit and retained the better accuracy of the Canon system. Then again, I mainly shoot Pentax, so AF isn’t something I get hung up on with modern cameras, haha.
I sold my two D750’s a year ago, and bought the D780. Best camera I own now, or ever. I’ve only been using it as a DSLR; need to learn the mirrorless capabilities.
I have no plans to replace it – it’s as “perfect” for me, as I can imagine.
I did miss the built-in flash, but am learning how to use my old SB-800 from my old F4 camera 20 years ago.
That’s great! It’s always nice when you click with your gear that well.
How’s learning the SB-800 going? I’ve really enjoyed trying to get proficient with stronger flashes like that. Digital cameras sure make it a lot easier to play with, haha.
Have any of you used the D780 yet for bird photography? I did, last weekend, and everything went great, once I got a bit more used to the camera. It took a while to sort out some good focus settings. Oh, and I used it as a DSLR, as that’s what I’m used to.
I have! I borrowed a 300mm PF lens and did a review of it here on the site and found it to be a great experience. I also had an 80-400mm and a Teleconverter that worked pretty well on it, too.
I’m glad to hear that you’re getting yours all customized and that you’re still enjoying it.
Thank you – I never did get notified about your post. Anyway, the D780 Nikon is still my favorite, but I’ve also got a D3 that I still enjoy using, and a Df that hasn’t lived up to my expectations. I’ve gone bird watching twice now, and the D780 (for me) is as good as it gets. I’m getting ragged on in the DxO PhotoLab forum, where they keep telling me the Live View is the same as it’s always been, so it’s not really a “Mirrorless” camera. They are stuck in their view, because the D780 has a standard Nikon viewfinder – but if it hadn’t had that, I’d never have bought it. I’ve given up on them – they are, what they tell me I am – oblivious to the reality, but I’ve used the D780 long enough to know I love it – and I have yet to work with all the D6 tech that is built-in.
It’s been a while – I hope Nikon does get around to providing an update, which might make it even more enjoyable to use. At times, I wish it had 50 megapixels I could use when I wanted to. I also wish it still had the pop-up flash, but I understand that this would have reduced the weather sealing.
What I need soon, is some guidance on how to configure and use the D780 as a Z6, with the tracking features helping keep birds in focus. I decided I’d use it as a DSLR for now, but in the next few weeks, I’d like to try it as “a mirrorless” camera using the Z6 capability. I’d like to say I don’t know where to start, but I’m guessing I just click on the Live View button – but then I need to learn the focus tracking in a way that will hopefully follow flying birds – or is that asking too much of it?
Haha, well we all have our own opinions and all of that, but having had both a Z6 and a D780 I feel pretty confident that the live view performance was on par with the Z6 original.
I wish that Nikon would have made a D880, which is what I’m calling a D850 body/slr with Z7 guts. That would have been a really cool camera! Sadly, I think Nikon isn’t likely to make any more DSLR cameras.
In so far as using the 780 in “mirrorless” mode, you’re pretty much on track. When I used the 1.4x TC on the 80-400mm I had, it worked quite a lot better in live view than using the DSLR Auto-focus. Without the TC, they were pretty well spot on to each other. 3D tracking in the viewfinder was my go to when there was enough light/my lens was fast enough. In live view, I don’t remember exactly what modes I was using, but it’s worth playing around with to get it working for you.
The biggest issue I had was how physically awkward it was to try to track a bird on the back screen. On a monopod or tripod I found it to still be awkward but at least somewhat manageable. Trying to do it handheld didn’t click for me very well. I’d imagine practice would make it better, but it wasn’t pleasant for me to want to try too hard!
Glad to hear that you’re enjoying those old workhorses. The D3 was and still is one heck of a camera! What’s been letting you down about the DF? That’s one I always wanted to get my hands on, but it’s always eluded me. Thanks for dropping by and commenting again! I enjoy the conversation.