http://www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2020 DIGITAL CAMERA^111
24-megapixel resolution, but now
with fast Live View autofocus, 4K
video, continuous shooting up to
12fps and improved processing.
We understand the D750 will
continue at a much lower price point
for stills photographers who don’t
need 4K video or fast live view AF. So
the D750 becomes Nikon’s cheapest
full-frame DSLR; the D780 can be
seen as a more advanced enthusiast/
semi-pro camera; and the only two
cameras above it are the high-
resolution Nikon D850 and
the super-fast Nikon D6.
Key features
The Nikon D780 is designed for
both stills and movies. By today’s
standards, its 24-megapixel resolution
is baseline spec for a full-frame
camera, but it does promise a good
level of detail rendition combined with
better high-ISO performance than
you’d expect from a higher-resolution
camera. It also keeps the cost down
for enthusiast photographers.
The D780 has the same 180k RGB
metering and scene recognition
system as the more expensive D850.
It also uses Nikon’s tried-and-tested
51-point phase-detection AF sensor;
when you use the Live View mode, it
swaps to the 273-point on-sensor
phase detect AF system of the Nikon
Z 6. This is more sophisticated – and
a lot faster – than the simple contrast
AF system in the D750.
The Live View experience is made
even better with the high-resolution
tilting 2,359k-dot LCD monitor, with
touch shutter release and AF point
selection. This also offers wider 90%
horizontal and vertical coverage than
the viewfinder AF system, which uses
a separate, dedicated sensor.
The D780 is unexpectedly good
at continuous shooting. It can hit
a good, though unremarkable, 7fps3
The D780’s control
layout will be instantly
familiar to existing
Nikon DSLR owners.4
The D780 combines
an optical viewfinder
with mirrorless-style
on-sensor phase
detection AF
in Live View.5
The D780’s twin-dial
control setup (there’s
another dial on the
front) is fast and
efficient in use.6
The touchscreen
display is very sharp
and clear, with an
impressive 2,359k-
dot resolution.7
The mode dial has a
central locking button
and a release mode
dial directly
underneath.8
You can buy the
D780 body only, or
with the Nikkor AF-S
24-120mm f/4 VR –
a great match.in viewfinder shooting, but this leaps
to 12fps in Live View – which also
has a silent shooting option.
The video capabilities are impressive
too, including uncropped 4K UHD at
30/25/24fps, 60/50fps in DX mode
and up to 120fps for Full HD; but while
the D780 does offer eye AF for stills,
this doesn’t extend to video. You
get Nikon’s N-Log option with up
to 12-stop dynamic range and5487Nikon D780 DSLR
The D780 delivers pleasing colour rendition in its JPEGs;
for those who shoot raw, Adobe has already updated its
Creative Cloud software to support the new camera.36