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Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50

Portability
57
Imaging
75
Features
89
Overall
80
Nikon D780 front
 
Nikon Z50 front
Portability
74
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Revealed January 2020
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D750
Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Revealed October 2019
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Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Nikon. The sensor resolution of the D780 (25MP) and the Z50 (21MP) is relatively close but the D780 (Full frame) and Z50 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The D780 was announced 3 months later than the Z50 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon D780 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the D780 scores vs the Z50 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Nikon Z50

 D780 Z50 
Screen resolution2359k1040kClearer screen (+1319k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Nikon D780

 Z50 D780 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Nikon Z50

 D780 Z50 
RevealedJanuary 2020October 2019Same generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3.2"Identical screen sizing
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon D780 comes with physical dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) and the Nikon Z50 has specifications of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") along with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the D780 against the Z50.

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D780 and Z50 is 57 and 74 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The visual here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D780 and Z50.

As you can tell, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D780 using its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Nikon D780 will render more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively.

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 Portrait photography advice
Nikon Z50 Portrait photography advice
85
has manual focus
great sensor resolution (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
80
you can focus manually
decent MP (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Street photography camera
Nikon Z50 as a Street photography camera
71
tilting screen
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
72
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
has touch focus
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (397g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon Z50 as a Sports photography camera
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
great sensor resolution (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery (2,260 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
75
decent MP (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 Travel photography information
Nikon Z50 Travel photography information
71
good battery (2,260 per charge)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
great sensor resolution (25MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
77
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
decent MP (21 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
heavier than competitors in class (397g)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography details
Nikon Z50 Landscape photography details
81
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
great sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery (2,260 shots)
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
decent MP (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D780
Vlogging with Nikon Z50
32
touch screen
includes face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic socket
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (397g)
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Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Nikon Z50
 Nikon D780Nikon Z50
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D780 Nikon Z50
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2020-01-07 2019-10-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Expeed 6
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 21MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6048 x 4024 5568 x 3712
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 51 209
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon Z
Total lenses 309 15
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 2,359k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 840 grams (1.85 lbs) 397 grams (0.88 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 2260 pictures 320 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Built-in
Battery ID EN-EL15b EN-EL25
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Two One
Pricing at launch $2,297 $857