Nikon D780 vs Nikon D1

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D780 and Nikon D1. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D780 were released 2020 and Nikon D1 was released 1999. That is a 21 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D780 2020
Nikon D1 1999

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 Nikon D1 has a "Nikon DX"-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
Nikon D1 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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)

Resolution

Nikon D780 has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D1 has 2,7 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
Nikon D1 2,7 MP
2624000 pixels
2000 x 1312

Nikon D780 has a 827 % larger resolution than Nikon D1. 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 Nikon D1. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D1 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D780 100-51200
Nikon D1 200-1600

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 Nikon D1

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 Nikon D1 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D780 12
Nikon D1 4,5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D780. Unfortunately Nikon D1 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 D1 weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 43% heavier than Nikon D780 and its 840 gr (or 1.85 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb
Nikon D1 1200 gr
2.65 lb

Nikon D780 vs Nikon D1 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D780 and Nikon D1, 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
Nikon D1
Name Nikon D780 Nikon D1
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D780
Nikon D1
Release Year 2020 1999
Release Date 2020-01-07 1999-06-15
MSRP 2299 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D780
Nikon D1
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D780
Nikon D1
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CCD
Resolution 6048 x 4024 pixels 2000 x 1312 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 2,7 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Nikon D780
Nikon D1
ISO Range 100 - 51200 200 - 1600
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
Nikon D1
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 51 5
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D780
Nikon D1
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 2”
Screen dots 2359000 130000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Nikon D780
Nikon D1
Frames per second 12 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/16000 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
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D780
Nikon D1
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D780
Nikon D1
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D780
Nikon D1
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
No
Remote Control Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone) Supported
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D780
Nikon D1
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Rechargeable EN-4 Ni-MH battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 2260 shots N/A
Width 144 mm 157 mm
Height 116 mm 153 mm
Depth 76 mm 85 mm
Weight 840 gram 1200 gram