2020 saw the announcement of the new Nikon D780 as the third of the Nikon range of DLSRs. It plays in the same league as the Nikon D700 and Nikon D750, but comes with a few new tweaks that place it slightly above its predecessors. Equipped with a 24 Megapixel sensor and a 51-point AF system, the DSLR camera stays ever-ready for action, and has been touted as the one camera that does the most to bridge the gap between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Pair it up with a Joby Gorillapod SLR Zoom for a sturdy tripod.
This is because it relies on a processing engine that’s similar to the one on the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z50 cameras, which also happen to be mirrorless Nikon cameras. As a result, image quality is A1, and low light clarity is just brilliant. Stick around for this Nikon D780 review if you want to find out what the Nikon DSLR camera is capable of, and whether it deserves the title of the best DSLR camera.
Why We Like It – Nikon D780
The Nikon D780 is the third in a series of Nikon DSLRs that makes picture-taking a breeze thanks to its stellar features and premium performance. The camera’s advanced video features help make shooting in low light a cinch, and its long battery life keeps you working for hours on end.
- Dual SD Card Slots
- Long-lasting battery life
- LCD Touchscreen
- Viewfinder autofocus has limited scope
Performance
Aside from having a battery life that keeps it going for up to 2260 shots through the optical viewfinder, the D780 DSLR camera also features a shutter speed range that varies between 900 seconds and 1/8000 of a second, and a continuous shooting speed of 7 frames per second through the mechanical shutter – slightly better than the D750 Nikon.
When in live view mode though, this shoots up to 12, but only when set to silent. The D780 Nikon also comes with dual SD card slots for a larger storage capacity, which you would definitely need when you shoot in 4K video quality. Speaking of which, the DSLR can shoot video at 12 frames per second when using live view autofocus, as well as 4K video at 30 frames per second, and even when in low light, its high ISO range ensures that the pictures come out sharp and clear. Videos can also be shot in N Log, allowing for more precise color grading during post-production.
Related: If you like this camera, you might be interested in our Nikon D810 DSLR review
Design
The Nikon D780 is a well-designed full-frame camera that borrows a lot from its predecessors, and still manages to carve a look of its own. Just like the Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR Camera, it has a solid build, is weatherproof, and comes with a button layout that isn’t that much different from what you’ll find with other Nikon cameras.
Live view AF is also faster on the D780, as long as it’s paired with a fast-focussing lens. The dual SD card slot on the D780 is accessed by flipping open the back of its battery grip, and just like the Nikon Z cameras, it comes with 2 slots instead of one for video capture.
Related: Also see our Lyfeshot Blynk time-lapse camera review, if you prefer something wearable and hands-free.
Value
To always get a perfect portrait picture, the D780 Nikon features Eye-Detection Autofocus when in Live View mode, where it tracks and locks its focus on the subject’s eye – a feature that you won’t get from the Pentax K-S2 DSLR Camera. Also, the inclusion of dual SD card slots on the D780 makes for ample media storage, allowing it to capture & store more media than the Canon EOS 5DS, which only has one SD card slot.
The fact that the camera comes with a back-illuminated FX full-frame sensor also makes it great for low-light shots. Being an F mount Nikon, the D780 is capable of using any Nikon F mount lens ever made, giving you a wide variety of choices to choose from. Also, thanks to on-sensor phase detection, the camera features up to 273 AF points spread across 90% of its frame, leading to better autofocus accuracy and fewer miss shots.
If you choose to buy it as a kit lens, the camera comes with an AF-S 24-120mm F4G ED VR lens, which pushes up its price by about $500.
Nikon D780 Wrap Up
Now that we’ve reviewed the Nikon D780, it’s upon you to see if the features it’s got are up to par with the kind of photography that you’d want to do, and if so, head on over to Amazon to make your order!
