Nikon has announced the follow-up to their extremely popular D750 camera, the D780. Inheriting features found on the pro-level D850 and D5 cameras, the D780 also boasts some of the newer tech and features found in their latest Z Series mirrorless cameras as well.
The D780 features a 24.5-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) FX-Format (full-frame) CMOS sensor paired with the EXPEED 6 image processor found most recently on the Nikon Z6 and Z7 cameras.
The EXPEED 6 processor provides the D780 with a speed boost, greater energy efficiency, improved low-light performance, enhanced image clarity and allows for 4K UHD full-frame video with full pixel readout.
Nikon has also improved ISO across the the entire range with a top end of 100-51200 (expandable to 204800) vs the 100-12800 (expandable to 51200) range found on the previous D750.
The D780 also offers a continuous shooting speed of up to 7 fps at full resolution and shutter speeds as fast as 1/8000 for up to 900 seconds with certain settings enabled.
Nikon D780 Body – Vistek Canada
For those who express themselves without labels, the D780 is capable of bringing every spectacular vision to life and inspiring completely new ways to create. Versatility through the splendor of full frame photography and 4K video, slow motion, time-lapse, remoteless long exposures and a host of impactful creative shooting tools to keep inspiration flowing.
One of the more interesting features found on the D780 is the two very different AF shooting systems that are available.
The first system works through the optical viewfinder, and is paired with an enhanced AF algorithm inherited from the D5. This system uses the 51-point AF system and 15 cross-type AF sensors to maximize accuracy and an upgraded 180K-pixel Advanced Scene Recognition System, to analyze the scene to ensure balanced exposures and accurate color reproduction.
Nikon says that this AF system will also reliably track rapidly moving subjects such as wildlife, even in challenging lighting conditions, down to as low as to -4EV.
The second system, available when using Live View and uses mirrorless technology and features the same 273 point focal plane Hybrid AF system found on the Z 6 camera offering broad coverage of approx. 90% of the frame.
Nikon says this system offers “extremely fast, smooth and accurate AF in Live View and when recording video, a huge benefit for multimedia production”.
Silent shooting is also available with the ability to shoot at speeds of up to 12 fps without shutter noise.
Also of note, the D780 is Nikon’s first DSLR to feature Eye-Detection AF, offering a real-time ability to track multiple eyes in a given scene maintaining tack-sharp focus particularly when shooting portraits and/or candid shots.
Video Features for Creators
For video, the D780 incorporates technology found in the Nikon Z 6 mirrorless camera and is capable of capturing full-frame 4K video at 30 fps with full-pixel readout in addition to a variety of other frame rates and resolutions including Full HD/120p.
Other video features include: 10-bit output with N-Log5 or HDR (Hybrid Log-Gamma) support, Advanced Cinematic Functions: including focus peaking highlight display (zebra stripes), interval timer and in-camera time-lapse movie file recording.
Advanced Creative Features
The D780 also offers a host of in-camera creative features including
- In-Camera Creative Filters: With a wide-array of in-camera Creative Picture Controls and a Special Effects Mode.
- Focus Stacking: Focus Shift feature enables the user to capture a series of shots at different focus distances and use third party software to generate a highly-defined image consisting of only the areas in focus.
- Greater Flexibility with Multiple Exposures: New to the D780, is the ability to create a multiple exposure with non-consecutively shot images, giving photographers the capacity to superimpose images in-camera, even when captured from two entirely different locations and times.
Other Features
- Easy Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity
- New Touch Operability: Tilting 3.2-inch LCD enhanced with touch operability to provide a more optimal user-experience.
- Energy-Saving Performance: Capture up to 2,260 shots on single charge
- On-The-Go Charging: USB Type C compatibility users can charge in-camera and transfer files more conveniently than ever.
- Dual Card Slots: Two UHS-II SD card slots
