- Amazon purchase link here and at the bottom of this page -
Full review and comparisons with the Z6/Z7 and D850 below!
Well, where to start? I would preface all this by saying that this was the least excited I’ve ever been to get a new camera. Not because it didn’t look like a solid camera, but simply because it didn’t seem to blow the D750 out of the water(spec wise), and for the $2,300 price tag, why not consider the Z6 or the D850 instead? I can honestly say that after a couple weeks with this camera in hand, I’m surprised to REALLY like it! Let’s jump into why that is…
I owned my D750 for years before selling it recently. As a wedding photographer, it was wildly hailed as an instant classic for that genre of shooting. I know so many people who loved it….but me? Really never did it for me. Nikon’s D8XX series of cameras have always been my staple. I bought the D800, D810, D850 all new the moment the were announced, which I never regretted. As someone who primarily captures weddings and landscapes, I simply loved and counted on it. The D750 just couldn’t compare in so many ways, but it sat in the case as a solid backup camera. The D750 was always the bridesmaid, but never the bride one could say. :P
So along comes the D780 and after a lot of thought, I decided this would be a more dependable camera for the long haul compared to my D750. As someone who makes 95% of their income doing this, there’s something beyond the technical when it comes to the equipment I work with. It’s more about how it FEELS, and DO I TRUST IT?
So before jumping deeper into deals, let’s go back to why you would take this over a Z6 or D850. Laureh(my wife and second shooter) doesn’t love the heft of a larger camera like I do in my D850(or my old D3). I wanted something we could both comfortably use, so when I asked what she wanted to use, this sounded like a great comprise. Beyond that aspect, I’d dig more into the details below…
Comparing the D780 vs Z6/Z7
One thing I love about the new D780, is that it feels a little like a hybrid camera. I love my Z7 for travel, for video, and it sits on my hip at weddings often with the 105mm 1.4E lens attached(perfect combo). Look through the viewfinder of the D780, you get what you are used to in a DSLR. Switch over to LiveView? You basically have yourself a Z6. One thing I love about my Z7, is the ability to auto switch between the EVF and rear screen just by looking into it or pulling my face away. Unfortunately, the D780 has no sensor to detect that movement, so you do have to use the LV button to switch between the rear screen and optical viewfinder. But anyhow, the benefit here is utilization all of the great features that the Z6 and Z7 have to offer like using 273 AF points across the entire screen, touch focus, tracking, and eye detection. This is where having that rear screen shines! The AF while using it is FANTASTIC and PERFECT in accuracy. Pop on the glorious 105mm 1.4 lens, and shoot it wide open ensuring that your clients eyes are in focus every time. On top of that, if you do any video shooting, it’s the same as using the Z6/Z7. The ONE BIG downside though, is not being able to use the new Z mount lenses that have near silent AF for video. Of course, if you’re using wireless mics or putting music over your video, no big deal.
For regular shooting though, I like being able to look into the camera for a classic optical viewfinder. One of the problems I have with the Z7 is having it hunt for subjects in the dark. Once evening hits at a wedding, my Z7 just can’t compare to my D850. It spends far too much time hunting and cannot keep up. The last thing that would have been great to have? Sensor stabilization like the Z6/Z7! Bummer dude.
-Pros versus the Z6/Z7-
Dual Card Slots
SD instead of XQD(much cheaper to buy)
Optical Viewfinder
Longer Battery Life
Better AF in the dark
U1/U2 settings recall option
Comparing the D780 vs the D850
So how does this compare to my all time favorite camera, the D850? In many aspects, it falls short, but not as far as I would have thought. One consideration when I bought this was that it wasn’t going to be my PRIMARY camera. That being said, I was just telling Laureh the other day, I could see myself happily shooting with this instead! A D850 new is currently $3k, so this is $700 less. Beyond price, there were a few features that attracted me to this camera over a 2nd D850. Here’s a few of those reasons...
XQD cards are still REALLY expensive. A solid 128GB Sandisk UHS-1 SD card is only $29, where a 120GB Sony XQD card is currently $200, roughly 7X the cost(as of 02/2020). Taking that into consideration, you’ll be adding a few hundred more to the price tag if you pick up a Z6/Z7 or D850.
As I mentioned before, having that rear screen basically being a Z6? Huge bonus for focus options and video work with the 273 point On-Sensor Phase Detect system(including face/eye detection).
Size and weight is a little more manageable, and the deep grip of the D780 I would almost say is more comfortable. It feels SO good!
Battery life is rated for 2,260 shots! Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t know that another Nikon camera can easily match that without a grip?
VIDEO - If you have any interest in delving into video work, but don’t want to go full mirrorless yet? This is the way to go. The AF-F mode with adjustable focus speed makes for the closest to “easy” cinematic feel than I have experienced with previous cameras.
What would I have loved to see though compared to my D850? Illuminated buttons! As an Astrophotographer as well, I love using this instead of turning on a head lamp or cell phone flashlight. ;)
Comparing the D780 vs D750
This might be the biggest thing you are wondering! Like I stated earlier, I did not love the D750 the same way everyone else did. It was a capable and excellent camera, but I preferred my D8xx series camera. The D780 I have REALLY enjoyed shooting with. It’s like shooting with a more capable and noticeably faster D750. Here are a few reasons why…
SPEED - Everything from AF to buffer(also can do 1/8000sec now!). It just feels much faster. Upgraded from an Expeed 4 to Expeed 6 processor, you noticeably don’t fill the buffer as fast. I’m shooting it with UHS-1 cards, and it’s shooting RAW and 4K video no problem. No Lag.
No built in flash. I hate built in flash. I end up breaking them or accidentally hitting the button to pop them up. In my entire career, I’ve never used it in a single shot out of hundreds of thousands. Quit whining, you don’t need it.
Video - Duh, there’s no point on even commenting here….
Rear screen is now twice the resolution for critical viewing(2,359,000 dots vs 1,229,000), plus it’s like having a Z6 when you switch to LV
TWICE the rated battery life.
USB 3.1 vs 2.0 with the ability to charge the battery with a standard cell phone charger. ;)
Snapbridge works really decently finally just like the Z series camera. It also uses the simple remote trigger they do. I REALLY WISH it had the old RF sensor though to use that wireless remote. What’s up with that?
There's more, but honestly here’s my summary. If you make your living with your D750, you will LOVE the upgrade to the D780. If you are a hobbyist or casual shooter, pick up a used D750 for $1,000 or less. The extras you get with the D780, might not be worth the extra cost to you. Either that, or be patient and wait to pick up a used on next year on ebay. I’ve summarized some of the side by side specs in the chart below. If this has been helpful, please consider using my Amazon link below!
Nikon D780 VS D750 VS D850 Specifications Comparison
A few more example shots while walking around here on the coast of Maine.
This is my first gear review post, but I hope to expand on this blog soon!