Nikon took it to CES 2020 to finally unveil the new D780 DSLR, which is an upgrade over the D750 launched way back in 2014. Aside from the expected improvements over the last-gen product, the D780 also borrows a few functionalities from its popular Z6 mirrorless camera.

Nikon D780 DSLR Camera Overview

The D780 is a full-frame (FX) format DSLR camera, which has a 24.5 megapixels sensor and comes with a similarly small and light body. Now, while the D750 only had the CMOS sensor, the one on the D780 is a backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, which means improved light gathering for low-light photography. Furthermore, it comes with the EXPEED 6 image processor (the one in the Z6 and Z7) for faster speed, increased battery life, and improved low light performance.Additionally, the D780's native ISO range is from 100 to 51,200 while you can also crank it up to 204,800. Nikon says that it's worked to improve the AutoFocus (AF) performance as well. It borrows the new AF algorithm from the company's flagship D5 DSLR camera. When using the optical viewfinder, the D780 uses the 51-point AF system (and also the 15 cross-type sensors). The Eye-Detection AF introduced for the first time in a Nikon DSLR allows you to track multiple human subjects' eyes in real-time for enhanced focusing.

Live View

In Live View, the camera is capable of detecting and tracking subjects throughout the entire frame in either photos or videos, thanks to the 273-point phase-detection AF system. And this is where the D780 DSLR shows off its "mirrorless" technology. Continuous shooting also sees an improvement to 7fps on the D780 from D750's 6.5fps with increased buffer size to '68' 14-bit RAW files. On Live View, however, the continuous shooting speed goes up to 12fps. What's more, the 180K-pixel Advanced Scene Recognition System optimizes the accuracy of the frame for exposure, focus, white balance, color reproduction, and more with the dedicated RGB sensor. Fast-paced photography is also upgraded to 1/8000th of a second, while you can also set shutter speed up to 900 seconds (15 minutes) on the D780 for the long exposure photography.Also read: Nikon Camera price in Nepal.

Videography

Moving to videos, the D780 once again brings in the goodies from the Z6. It can shoot up to 4K UHD videos at 24 or 30fps and full HD slow-motion videos at 60 or 120fps. The Nikon D780 also for the first time introduces the ability to record HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) HDR videos. It also boasts 10-bit N-LOG when recording to an external recorder, focus peaking, highlight display, etc.Coming to the back of the D780, there's the familiar 3.2" fully touchscreen LCD but Nikon has improved its resolution to 2.359 million dots. On to the storage, the Nikon D780 supports dual UHS-II SD cards. Here, the D780 is slightly chunkier than the D750 while the body is manufactured from the same weather-sealed lightweight magnesium alloy. The battery on the D780 can also shoot up to 2,260 shots per charge, which is significantly longer than 1,230 shots on the D750. Other assorted features include WiFi compatibility, USB Type-C connectivity, Creative Picture Controls, special effects, multiple exposure photography, and more.

Nikon D780 DSLR Camera Specifications

• Camera Weight: 840 grams (camera body only)
• Dimensions: 5.7W x 4.6H x 3D-inches
• Image Sensor: 35.9 x 23.9mm, 24.5MP, BSI CMOS, Full Frame (FX) format
• Screen: 3.2-inch tilting touch-sensitive TFT LCD panel with 170º viewing angle; 2.359 million dots
• Viewfinder: Eye-level Pentaprism Single-Lens Reflex Viewfinder (FX - 100% coverage, 1.2x - 97% coverage, DX - 97% coverage)
• AF System: 51 Autofocus points (including 15 cross-type sensors; f/8 supported by 11 sensors); -3 to +19EV
• ISO Range: 100 - 51,200 (also up to 204,800)
• Shutter Speed: 1/8000 – 900 seconds (long exposure M mode)
• Continuous Shoot: 7 frames/sec (up to 12fps in Live View mode)
• Video Resolution: 3840×2160 Pixels (4K UHD), 1920x1080 (Full HD)
• Video Frame Rate: 4K UHD (30/25/24fps), Full HD (120/100/60/50/30/25/24fps), Slow-motion (120/100/60/50/30/25/24fps)
• Built-in flash: Yes
• Environmental Sealing: Yes
• Mount Type: Nikon F bayonet mount
• Connectivity: 3.5mm headphone jack, Type-C mini-pin HDMI connector, USB Type-C, WiFI, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS
• Battery Type: Li-ion, rechargeable (MH-25a Quick Charger); Model: EN-EL 15b
• Battery Life (Approx.): 2,260 shots
• Companion App: SnapBridge (available on both Android and iOS)

Pricing and Availability

The Nikon D780 DSLR camera will cost you $2,300 (~NRs. 263,800) and will be available by the end of January. Furthermore, the D780 is also available bundled up with AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens for $2,800 (~NRs. 321,150). We expect the Nikon D780 to be available in Nepal for around 3 lakhs or more.