Nikon
D780
Last great Nikon DSLR — Z6 sensor with DSLR ergonomics and hybrid live view AF.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Jan 2020
Nikon
Z5 IIC
Screen-first, viewfinder-free full-frame Z mount body: 24.5MP BSI sensor, EXPEED 7 AF with fish detection, 7.5-stop IBIS, 15 Scene Modes, and N-RAW video.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2026
Z5 IIC is 6.8 years newer.
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Wins
D780
Wins
Z5 IIC
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD780 has higher Burst (mechanical) (7 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- AD780 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (2260 shots vs 350 shots)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 12 fps)
- AD780 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD780
144 × 116 × 76 mm
755 g (1.66 lb / 26.63 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 × 72 mm
620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)
D780 is 10mm wider, 35mm taller, and 4mm thicker than Z5 IIC.
D780 is 135 g heavier than Z5 IIC.
Depth (front-to-back): 76mm D780 · 72mm Z5 IIC
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D780
144 × 116 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D780
144 × 76 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D780
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Z5 IIC
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D780
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z5 IIC
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D780
Burst (mechanical)
7 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 143.5, 115.5, 76
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II, SD UHS-II
Battery life (CIPA)
2260 shots vs 350 shots — higher is better
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z5 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.7, 72
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Subject recognition
Adds Birds, Cars, Bicycles…
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 12 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Z5 IIC supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓Resolution — Both 24.5 MP
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 273
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D780
Pros
- ✓Z6 sensor in DSLR
- ✓Dual card slots
- ✓4K video
- ✓OVF + EVF hybrid
Cons
- –DSLR end of era
- –Heavy
- –Limited future lenses
Z5 IIC
Pros
- ✓Lightest full-frame Z body (620g)
- ✓15 Scene Modes — first on a Nikon FX mirrorless
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF, 10 subject types incl. fish
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS + Focus Point VR
- ✓N-RAW internal recording, UVC/UAC webcam
Cons
- –No built-in EVF — rear screen only
- –Single SD UHS-II slot
- –No mechanical shutter
- –4K 60p is DX (APS-C) crop only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D780 and Z5 IIC at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D780
Nikon Z5 IIC
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D780 or Z5 IIC?
Z5 IIC scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for D780 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D780 and Z5 IIC?
Both cameras share the same 24.5 MP resolution.
Do the D780 and Z5 IIC have in-body image stabilization?
D780 does not have IBIS, while Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D780 or the Z5 IIC?
D780 reaches 12 fps electronic. Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D780 and Z5 IIC?
D780 weighs 755 g and Z5 IIC weighs 620 g, so the Z5 IIC is 135 g lighter.
Do the D780 and Z5 IIC record 4K video?
D780: 4K up to 30p. Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the D780 and Z5 IIC weather sealed?
D780: Yes. Z5 IIC: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 2,260 shots (CIPA) for the D780 and 350 shots for the Z5 IIC, giving the D780 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D780 launched at $2,299 and Z5 IIC at $1,399. The Z5 IIC is $900 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D780 vs Z5 IIC vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.