Sony a7 vs Nikon D780

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 and Nikon D780. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D780 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a7 were released 2013 and Nikon D780 was released 2020. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7 2013
Nikon D780 2020

Type of camera

Sony a7 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D780 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a7 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a7 has a 24 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
Sony a7 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D780 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Nikon D780 has a 1 % larger resolution than Sony a7. 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 Sony a7. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a7 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7 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 Sony a7
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. Sony a7 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7 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 Sony a7 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 D780 weighs 840 gr (equal to 1.85 lb) which is 77% heavier than Sony a7 and its 474 gr (or 1.04 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7 474 gr
1.04 lb
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb

Sony a7 vs Nikon D780 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 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
Sony a7
Nikon D780
Name Sony a7 Nikon D780
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7
Nikon D780
Release Year 2013 2020
Release Date 2013-10-16 2020-01-07
MSRP 1699 USD 2299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7
Nikon D780
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7
Nikon D780
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6048 x 4024 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 25 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 6
Image
Sony a7
Nikon D780
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 10 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7
Nikon D780
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
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 117 51
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
Sony a7
Nikon D780
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1230000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type Xtra Fine LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a7
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 No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center 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
Sony a7
Nikon D780
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a7
Nikon D780
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7
Nikon D780
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
Remote Control Yes (wired) Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7
Nikon D780
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 340 shots 2260 shots
Width 127 mm 144 mm
Height 94 mm 116 mm
Depth 48 mm 76 mm
Weight 474 gram 840 gram