Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z7 II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D800 and Nikon Z7 II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D800 were released 2012 and Nikon Z7 II was released 2020. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D800 2012
Nikon Z7 II 2020

Type of camera

Nikon D800 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 D800 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 D800 has a 36,3 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 D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Nikon Z7 II 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z7 II has a 26 % larger resolution than Nikon D800. 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 Z7 II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D800. Nikon Z7 II has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Nikon D800 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D800 100-25600
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 D800
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 D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z7 II can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D800 6
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 D800 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 D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 28% heavier than Nikon Z7 II and its 705 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb
Nikon Z7 II 705 gr
1.55 lb

Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z7 II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D800 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 D800
Nikon Z7 II
Name Nikon D800 Nikon Z7 II
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D800
Nikon Z7 II
Release Year 2012 2020
Release Date 2012-02-07 2020-10-14
MSRP 2999 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D800
Nikon Z7 II
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D800
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 CMOS CMOS
Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 36,3 MP 46 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 DUAL EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon D800
Nikon Z7 II
ISO Range 100 - 25600 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 D800
Nikon Z7 II
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
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 D800
Nikon Z7 II
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3,2” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3690000
Photography features
Nikon D800
Nikon Z7 II
Frames per second 6 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D800
Nikon Z7 II
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D800
Nikon Z7 II
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon D800
Nikon Z7 II
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D800
Nikon Z7 II
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots 420 shots
Width 146 mm 134 mm
Height 123 mm 101 mm
Depth 82 mm 70 mm
Weight 900 gram 705 gram