Nikon D780 vs Canon EOS R

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

Manufacturing

Nikon D780 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS R is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D780 were released 2020 and Canon EOS R was released 2018. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D780 2020
Canon EOS R 2018

Type of camera

Nikon D780 is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS R is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D780 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS R 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 R has 30 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 R 30 MP
30105600 pixels
6720 x 4480

Canon EOS R has a 24 % larger resolution than Nikon D780. 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 R. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS R has 100 to 40000.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D780 100-51200
Canon EOS R 100-40000

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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

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

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 R can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D780 12
Canon EOS R 8

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 R 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.

Nikon D780 weighs 840 gr (equal to 1.85 lb) which is 27% heavier than Canon EOS R and its 660 gr (or 1.46 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb
Canon EOS R 660 gr
1.46 lb

Nikon D780 vs Canon EOS R Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D780 and Canon EOS R, 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 R
Name Nikon D780 Canon EOS R
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D780
Canon EOS R
Release Year 2020 2018
Release Date 2020-01-07 2018-09-05
MSRP 2299 USD 2299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D780
Canon EOS R
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D780
Canon EOS R
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4024 pixels 6720 x 4480 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 30 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DIGIC 8
Image
Nikon D780
Canon EOS R
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 40000
White Balance Presets 12 6
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 R
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
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 5655
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon RF

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D780
Canon EOS R
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2359000 2100000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 3690000
Photography features
Nikon D780
Canon EOS R
Frames per second 12 fps 8 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
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) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D780
Canon EOS R
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D780
Canon EOS R
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D780
Canon EOS R
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D780
Canon EOS R
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 2260 shots 370 shots
Width 144 mm 136 mm
Height 116 mm 98 mm
Depth 76 mm 84 mm
Weight 840 gram 660 gram