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Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV

Portability
57 Imaging
76 Features
89 Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 IV front
Portability
61 Imaging
80 Features
92 Overall
84

Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Introduced January 2020
  • Previous Model is Nikon D750
Sony A7 IV
(Full Review)
  • 33MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Introduced October 2021
  • Succeeded the Sony A7 III
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Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Nikon D780 versus Sony A7 IV, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the D780 (25MP) and A7 IV (33MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The D780 was manufactured 21 months prior to the A7 IV making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Nikon D780 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A7 IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the D780 matches up against the A7 IV in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Sony A7 IV

		

		

			
 D780 A7 IV 
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k1440kSharper display (+919k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony A7 IV over the Nikon D780

		

		

			
 A7 IV D780 
IntroducedOctober 2021January 2020More recent by 21 months
Display typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen  Take selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Nikon D780 and Sony A7 IV

		

		

			
 D780 A7 IV 
Manually focus  Very exact focusing
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D780 offers outer measurements of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) whilst the Sony A7 IV has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).
Check the Nikon D780 versus Sony A7 IV in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the D780 compared to the A7 IV.
Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV size comparison
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the D780 and A7 IV is 57 and 61 respectively.
Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Usually, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements just by checking specs. The graphic here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the D780 and A7 IV.
As you can plainly see, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Sony A7 IV to resolve extra detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older D780 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.
	
			Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Nikon D780 Portrait photography information
Sony A7 IV Portrait photography information
85
 manual focus
 high MP (25 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 provides face detect autofocus
 supports RAW files
81
 has manual focus
 MP count excellent (33MP)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 offers face detect autofocus
 supports RAW files
 no liveview
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Street Comparison
Nikon D780 Street photography advice
Sony A7 IV Street photography advice
71
 screen tilts
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 supports RAW files
 supports focus via touch
 weather sealing
 above average ISO range (51,200)
 no image stabilization
79
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 supports RAW files
 boasts touch focus
 weather proof
 good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison
Nikon D780 Sports photography details
Sony A7 IV Sports photography details
81
 great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
 high MP (25MP)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 provides tracking focus
 weather sealing
 better than average battery pack (2,260 per charge)
 supports phase detect autofocus
 no image stabilization
84
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count excellent (33 megapixels)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 offers tracking focus
 weather proof
 great battery pack (600 shots)
 sensor has phase detect autofocus
 no liveview
Photography Glossary
Travel Comparison
Nikon D780 Travel photography highlights
Sony A7 IV Travel photography highlights
71
 better than average battery pack (2,260 CIPA)
 weather sealing
 connects via bluetooth
 supports focus via touch
 high MP (25MP)
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
80
 great battery pack (600 CIPA)
 weather proof
 connects via bluetooth
 boasts touch focus
 MP count excellent (33MP)
 selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Nikon D780
Landscape photography with Sony A7 IV
81
 manual focus
 change lenses (Nikon F mount)
 pretty good screen size (3.2")
 high MP (25 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 above average ISO range (51,200)
 supports RAW files
 weather sealing
 better than average battery pack (2,260 per charge)
 two card slots
 no image stabilization
83
 has manual focus
 change lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen is a decent size (3")
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count excellent (33MP)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 good ISO range (51,200)
 supports RAW files
 weather proof
 great battery pack (600 shots)
 has dual storage slots
 no liveview
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Vlogging Comparison
Nikon D780 Vlogging features
Sony A7 IV Vlogging features
32
 built-in touchscreen
 provides face detect autofocus
 high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
 comes with microphone socket
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
 no image stabilization
80
 selfie friendly display
 touchscreen enabled
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 offers face detect autofocus
 high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
 includes mic jack
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Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 IV Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Sony A7 IV
 Nikon D780Sony Alpha A7 IV
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D780 Sony Alpha A7 IV
Type Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2020-01-07 2021-10-21
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 33 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Peak resolution 6048 x 4024 7008 x 4672
Highest native ISO 51200 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos    
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Live view autofocus    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Number of focus points 51 759
Cross focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony E
Available lenses 309 172
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 2,359k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch display    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,690k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe    
AEB    
WB bracketing    
Max flash sync - 1/200 seconds
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 3843840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 500 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 300 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 250 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 240 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p /
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265
Mic input    
Headphone input    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB Yes Yes (USB PD supported)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 840 gr (1.85 lb) 699 gr (1.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 2260 photos 600 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15b NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording    
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Storage slots Two Two
Pricing at release $2,297 $2,500