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Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Nikon Z6 front
Portability
62
Imaging
74
Features
88
Overall
79

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2020
  • Succeeded the Nikon D750
Nikon Z6
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 68mm
  • Announced August 2018
  • Replacement is Nikon Z6 II
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Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Nikon D780 and Nikon Z6, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless and both of them are produced by Nikon. The sensor resolution of the D780 (25MP) and the Z6 (25MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The D780 was unveiled 17 months after the Z6 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D780 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon Z6 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the D780 grades vs the Z6 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Nikon Z6

 D780 Z6 
AnnouncedJanuary 2020August 2018More modern by 17 months
Display resolution2359k2100kCrisper display (+259k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 over the Nikon D780

 Z6 D780 

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Nikon Z6

 D780 Z6 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D780 has got exterior dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) while the Nikon Z6 has sizing of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D780 and Nikon Z6 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the D780 compared to the Z6.

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D780 and Z6 is 57 and 62 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to see the difference between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The image below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D780 and Z6.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of pictures although you should really consider the age of the products into consideration. The newer D780 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon Z6 as a Portrait photography camera
85
focusing manually
excellent megapixels (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW files
84
has manual focus
high resolution (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Street photography camera
Nikon Z6 as a Street photography camera
71
screen tilts
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
comes with focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 Sports photography information
Nikon Z6 Sports photography information
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent megapixels (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
good battery (2,260 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
80
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high resolution (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D780
Travel photography with Nikon Z6
71
good battery (2,260 shots)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
excellent megapixels (25 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
66
weather sealing
has bluetooth
boasts touch focus
high resolution (25MP)
not so great battery pack (330 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography advice
Nikon Z6 Landscape photography advice
81
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
excellent megapixels (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
good battery (2,260 shots)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
not so great battery pack (330 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 Vlogging features
Nikon Z6 Vlogging features
32
touchscreen capability
includes face detect focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone support
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
36
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
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Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Nikon Z6
 Nikon D780Nikon Z6
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D780 Nikon Z6
Type Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2020-01-07 2018-08-23
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 Expeed 6
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6048 x 4024 6048 x 4024
Max native ISO 51200 51200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 51 273
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon Z
Amount of lenses 309 15
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 2,359k dot 2,100k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,690k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.8x
Features
Min shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 840 grams (1.85 lbs) 675 grams (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 134 x 101 x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 95
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3299
Other
Battery life 2260 photos 330 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15b -
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) XQD card
Storage slots Dual One
Pricing at release $2,297 $1,997