Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z7 II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D780 and Nikon Z7 II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

These two camera models were both released 2020.

Camera Released
Nikon D780 2020
Nikon Z7 II 2020

Type of camera

Nikon D780 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z7 II is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

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 Z7 II 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 Z7 II 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 Z7 II 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z7 II 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 Z7 II. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon Z7 II has 64 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D780 100-51200
Nikon Z7 II 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 Z7 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 Nikon Z7 II can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D780 12
Nikon Z7 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 Nikon Z7 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.

Nikon D780 weighs 840 gr (equal to 1.85 lb) which is 19% heavier than Nikon Z7 II and its 705 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb
Nikon Z7 II 705 gr
1.55 lb

Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z7 II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D780 and Nikon Z7 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
Nikon Z7 II
Name Nikon D780 Nikon Z7 II
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D780
Nikon Z7 II
Release Year 2020 2020
Release Date 2020-01-07 2020-10-14
MSRP 2299 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D780
Nikon Z7 II
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D780
Nikon Z7 II
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4024 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 46 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DUAL EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon D780
Nikon Z7 II
ISO Range 100 - 51200 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D780
Nikon Z7 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
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 493
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D780
Nikon Z7 II
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
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× 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 0 3690000
Photography features
Nikon D780
Nikon Z7 II
Frames per second 12 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 900 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 Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight 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 Z7 II
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D780
Nikon Z7 II
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon D780
Nikon Z7 II
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 (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone) Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D780
Nikon Z7 II
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 2260 shots 420 shots
Width 144 mm 134 mm
Height 116 mm 101 mm
Depth 76 mm 70 mm
Weight 840 gram 705 gram