Capturing the world through a Nikon lens
Guide

Nikon Z8 Vs D780: The Ultimate Mirrorless Vs Dslr Showdown

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • The Nikon Z8 is a mirrorless camera, while the D780 is a DSLR camera.
  • The D780 is a better choice for photographers who are looking for a more affordable camera that still offers excellent image quality and performance.
  • The Z8 has a higher-resolution sensor, a faster and more accurate autofocus system, better video capabilities, a weather-sealed body, and a higher price.

The Nikon Z8 and D780 are two of the most popular cameras on the market today. Both cameras offer excellent image quality, fast performance, and a wide range of features. But which camera is right for you? In this blog post, we’ll compare the Nikon Z8 and D780 side-by-side to help you make an informed decision.

Sensor and Image Quality

The Nikon Z8 features a 45.7MP full-frame CMOS sensor, while the D780 has a 24.5MP full-frame CMOS sensor. The Z8’s sensor has a higher resolution, which means that it can capture more detail in your images. However, the D780’s sensor is still very capable, and it can produce excellent image quality, especially in low-light conditions.

Autofocus

The Nikon Z8 has a hybrid autofocus system that uses both phase detection and contrast detection autofocus. The D780 has a phase detection autofocus system. The Z8’s autofocus system is faster and more accurate than the D780’s autofocus system, especially in low-light conditions.

Video

The Nikon Z8 can record 8K video at 30fps and 4K video at 120fps. The D780 can record 4K video at 30fps and 1080p video at 120fps. The Z8’s video capabilities are much better than the D780’s video capabilities, making it a better choice for videographers.

Build Quality and Design

The Nikon Z8 is a mirrorless camera, while the D780 is a DSLR camera. Mirrorless cameras are generally smaller and lighter than DSLR cameras. The Z8 is also weather-sealed, which means that it can be used in harsh weather conditions. The D780 is not weather-sealed, so it is not as durable as the Z8.

Price

The Nikon Z8 is priced at $2,499, while the D780 is priced at $2,299. The Z8 is a more expensive camera than the D780, but it also offers more features and better performance.

Which Camera is Right for You?

The Nikon Z8 and D780 are both excellent cameras. The Z8 is a better choice for photographers who need the best possible image quality, video capabilities, and autofocus performance. The D780 is a better choice for photographers who are looking for a more affordable camera that still offers excellent image quality and performance.

The Verdict: Nikon Z8 or D780?

The Nikon Z8 is the better camera overall. It offers better image quality, video capabilities, autofocus performance, and build quality than the D780. However, the Z8 is also more expensive than the D780. If you are looking for the best possible image quality and performance, the Z8 is the better choice. If you are looking for a more affordable camera that still offers excellent image quality and performance, the D780 is a good option.

What People Want to Know

Q: What are the main differences between the Nikon Z8 and D780?

A: The main differences between the Nikon Z8 and D780 are the sensor, autofocus system, video capabilities, build quality, and price. The Z8 has a higher-resolution sensor, a faster and more accurate autofocus system, better video capabilities, a weather-sealed body, and a higher price.

Q: Which camera is better for low-light photography, the Nikon Z8 or D780?

A: The Nikon Z8 is better for low-light photography than the D780. The Z8’s sensor has a higher resolution and a better low-light performance.

Q: Which camera is better for sports and action photography, the Nikon Z8 or D780?

A: The Nikon Z8 is better for sports and action photography than the D780. The Z8’s autofocus system is faster and more accurate than the D780’s autofocus system.

Was this page helpful?

Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
Back to top button