Nikon D800e vs Nikon D780

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D800e and Nikon D780. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D800e were released 2012 and Nikon D780 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 D800e 2012
Nikon D780 2020

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 D800e 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D780 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 D800e has a 36,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D780 has 25 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D800e 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Nikon D780 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Nikon D800e has a 49 % 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 D800e. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D800e has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D800e 100-25600
Nikon D780 100-51200

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 D800e
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D780

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D800e can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D800e 6
Nikon D780 12

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D800e and Nikon D780 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 D800e weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 7% heavier than Nikon D780 and its 840 gr (or 1.85 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D800e 900 gr
1.98 lb
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb

Nikon D800e vs Nikon D780 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D800e and Nikon D780, 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 D800e
Nikon D780
Name Nikon D800e Nikon D780
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D800e
Nikon D780
Release Year 2012 2020
Release Date 2012-02-07 2020-01-07
MSRP 3299 USD 2299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D800e
Nikon D780
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D800e
Nikon D780
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 BSI-CMOS
Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 6048 x 4024 pixels
Megapixels 36,3 MP 25 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon D800e
Nikon D780
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D800e
Nikon D780
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 51
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
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 D800e
Nikon D780
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3,2” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 2359000
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) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Nikon D800e
Nikon D780
Frames per second 6 fps 12 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 D800e
Nikon D780
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 No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D800e
Nikon D780
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D800e
Nikon D780
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D800e
Nikon D780
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots 2260 shots
Width 146 mm 144 mm
Height 123 mm 116 mm
Depth 82 mm 76 mm
Weight 900 gram 840 gram