Nikon D780 vs Canon EOS 7D Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D780 and Canon EOS 7D Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D780 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 7D Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D780 were released 2020 and Canon EOS 7D Mark II was released 2014. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D780 2020
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 2014

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D780 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS 7D Mark II has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D780 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D780 has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 7D Mark II has 20 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D780 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 20 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648

Nikon D780 has a 22 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 7D Mark II. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D780 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 7D Mark II. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 7D Mark II has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D780 100-51200
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 100-16000

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D780
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 7D Mark II can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D780 12
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D780 and Canon EOS 7D Mark II can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II weighs 910 gr (equal to 2.01 lb) which is 8% heavier than Nikon D780 and its 840 gr (or 1.85 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb
Canon EOS 7D Mark II 910 gr
2.01 lb

Nikon D780 vs Canon EOS 7D Mark II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D780 and Canon EOS 7D Mark II, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Name Nikon D780 Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Release Year 2020 2014
Release Date 2020-01-07 2014-09-15
MSRP 2299 USD 1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4024 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 20 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DUAL DIGIC 6
Image
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 12 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 65
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2359000 1040000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD Clear View II TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 1× (0.62× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Frames per second 12 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 10 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
No
Remote Control Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone) Yes (wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D780
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
LP-E6N lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 2260 shots 670 shots
Width 144 mm 149 mm
Height 116 mm 112 mm
Depth 76 mm 78 mm
Weight 840 gram 910 gram