Nikon
D780
Last great Nikon DSLR — Z6 sensor with DSLR ergonomics and hybrid live view AF.
$2,299
Released Jan 2020
Z6 II is 9 months newer.
Wins
D780
Wins
Z6 II
5 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ6 II has higher IBIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
- AD780 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (2260 shots vs 410 shots)
- BZ6 II has higher Burst (mechanical) (14 fps vs 7 fps)
- BZ6 II has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZ6 II has lower Weight (615 g vs 755 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D780
144 × 116 × 76 mm
755 g (1.66 lb / 26.63 oz)
Z6 II
134 × 101 × 70 mm
615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)
D780 is 10mm wider, 15mm taller, and 7mm thicker than Z6 II.
D780 is 140 g heavier than Z6 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 76mm D780 · 70mm Z6 II
Sensor size, to scale
D780
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Z6 II
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D780
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z6 II
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
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 143.5, 115.5, 76
Battery life (CIPA)
2260 shots vs 410 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z6 II
AF low-light limit
-4.5 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 100.5, 69.5
Burst (mechanical)
14 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265/HEVC
In-body stabilization
Only Z6 II supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD
Both cameras share
- ✓Resolution — Both 24.5 MP
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 51,200
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 273
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye 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
Z6 II
Pros
- ✓Proven hybrid
- ✓Dual slots
- ✓Good video
Cons
- –Superseded by Z6 III
- –24MP
- –Older AF
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for vlogging, D780 or Z6 II?
Z6 II scores 7.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for D780 — 4K 60p for smooth handheld vlogs.
What's the resolution difference between the D780 and Z6 II?
Both cameras share the same 24.5 MP resolution.
Do the D780 and Z6 II have in-body image stabilization?
D780 does not have IBIS, while z6 II has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D780 or the Z6 II?
D780 reaches 12 fps electronic. Z6 II reaches 14 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D780 and Z6 II?
D780 weighs 755 g and Z6 II weighs 615 g, so the Z6 II is 140 g lighter.
Do the D780 and Z6 II record 4K video?
D780: 4K up to 30p. Z6 II: 4K up to 60p.
Are the D780 and Z6 II weather sealed?
D780: Yes. Z6 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 2,260 shots (CIPA) for the D780 and 410 shots for the Z6 II, giving the D780 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D780 launched at $2,299 and Z6 II at $1,999. The Z6 II is $300 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.