Which to Buy: Nikon Z6 vs D780 Comparison

May 2020

The Z6 is 6 year(s) old while the D780 is 4 years old. These are both FX 24 megapixel cameras and there are additional similarities but also some differences that the informed buyer should know before making a decision.

The similarities between these two cameras are:

24 megapixel FX/Full-frame sensor
Backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor
Anti-aliasing filter/optical low pass filter
Fast startup and little shutter lag
Support JPEG, 12-bit and 14-bit RAW images
Dedicated Fn (function) buttons
Matrix, center-weighted, highlight-weighted and spot metering
Hotshoe
HDMI jack
External microphone jack
Headphone jack
Top-side control panel
Tilting monitor
Native ISO 100-51200
1/8000th sec. max mechanical shutter speed
Bulb and time shutter
No built-in flash — external only
1/200th sec. flash sync speed
Auto FP High-Speed flash sync
Electronic silent shutter
High dynamic range mode
Timelapse photography support
Touchscreen monitor
4K UHD video, 30 fps
4:2:2 video output
1080p video, 120 fps vs 60 fps
Slow motion video - 1080p, 120 fps with sound
100% viewfinder coverage
DX crop mode
Built-in WiFi to pair the camera with a smartphone or PC
Built-in Bluetooth to pair the camera with a smartphone
Nikon SnapBridge
Eye autofocus (Eye-AF)
On sensor phase detect AF
Focus-stacking
Auto-exposure bracketing
EXPEED 6 image processor
In-camera battery charging
Self-timer

The advantages the D780 has over the Z6 are:

Much longer rated battery life at 2260 shots vs 330 shots
Dual card slots (UHS-II SDXC) vs single XQD/CFExpress
Longest shutter speed at 900 sec. vs 30 sec.
3.2 in. 2359k-dot TFT LCD monitor vs 2100k-dot
7 frames-per-sec. stills w/AF vs 5.5 fps
Hybrid Log-Gamma
Timecode to synchronize video
More capable AF system for subject tracking
Better low-light AF performance (down to -5 EV, but requires Live view)
Better viewfinder auto-focus in low-light (-3 EV vs -2 EV, without Z6 low-light AF on)
Autofocuses older AF-D lenses
Buffer holds more RAW images (28 vs 18)

The advantages the Z6 has over the D780 are:

Compact mirrorless camera design
3690k-dot EVF vs pentaprism optical viewfinder
The electronic silent shutter is easier to use
Much lighter at 675g (1 lb 7.9 oz) vs 840g (1 lb 13.7 oz)
Smaller at 5.3 x 4 x 2.7 in. vs 5.7 x 4.6 x 3 in.
Support for TIFF images
5-axis IBIS
Better low-light AF performance through the viewfinder (-3.5 EV vs -3 EV, with Z6 low-light AF on)
273 AF points (with 90% frame coverage) vs 51 points (15 cross type, 11 at f/8) in the optical view finder (273 AF points in Live view)
Compatible with Z- and F-mount lenses (older AF lenses will not autofocus on the FTZ adapter)
Optional battery grip accessory
Less expensive

Neither camera has:

Built-in GPS
Built-in NFC to pair the camera with a smartphone
Panorama Mode

Additional Notes

Both cameras exhibit banding in the shadows due to the on-sensor phase detection. This does not present issues with most styles of photography, but the photographer should be mindful of it when exposing.

Conclusion

If having a lot of older F-mount lenses like AF-D/Ai-S/Ai ones or need top notch autofocus capabilities, then the D780 may be the better option. If doing video or want the latest, most future proof design then the Z6 is the route to take.

See these comparisons: