Nikon D810A vs Nikon D780

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D810A and Nikon D780. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D810A were released 2015 and Nikon D780 was released 2020. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D810A 2015
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 D810A 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 D810A has a 36 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 D810A 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Nikon D780 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Nikon D810A 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 D810A. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D810A has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D810A 200-12800
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 D810A
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 D810A can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D810A 5
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 D810A 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 D810A weighs 880 gr (equal to 1.94 lb) which is 5% heavier than Nikon D780 and its 840 gr (or 1.85 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D810A 880 gr
1.94 lb
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb

Nikon D810A vs Nikon D780 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D810A 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 D810A
Nikon D780
Name Nikon D810A Nikon D780
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D810A
Nikon D780
Release Year 2015 2020
Release Date 2015-02-10 2020-01-07
MSRP 3799 USD 2299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D810A
Nikon D780
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D810A
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 MP 25 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon D810A
Nikon D780
ISO Range 200 - 12800 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 + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D810A
Nikon D780
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
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 D810A
Nikon D780
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1229000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT-LCD (RGBW) TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (tunnel) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Nikon D810A
Nikon D780
Frames per second 5 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
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 D810A
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 D810A
Nikon D780
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D810A
Nikon D780
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
Remote Control Yes Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-1 or GP-1A
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D810A
Nikon D780
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1200 shots 2260 shots
Width 146 mm 144 mm
Height 123 mm 116 mm
Depth 82 mm 76 mm
Weight 880 gram 840 gram