Nikon D780 vs Nikon D850

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D780 and Nikon D850. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D780

Nikon D850

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D780 were released 2020 and Nikon D850 was released 2017. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D780	2020
Nikon D850	2017

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon FX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D780	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D850	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)

Resolution

Nikon D780 has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D850 has 46 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 D850	46 MP 45441024 pixels 8256 x 5504

Nikon D850 has a 87 % 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 Nikon D850. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D850 has 64 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D780	100-51200
Nikon D850	64-25600

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 D850

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 D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D780	12
Nikon D850	9

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D780 and Nikon D850 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 D850 weighs 1005 gr (equal to 2.22 lb) which is 20% heavier than Nikon D780 and its 840 gr (or 1.85 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D780	840 gr 1.85 lb
Nikon D850	1005 gr 2.22 lb