Nikon
D780
Last great Nikon DSLR — Z6 sensor with DSLR ergonomics and hybrid live view AF.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Jan 2020
Nikon
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jun 2024
Z6 III is 4.4 years newer.
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Wins
D780
Wins
Z6 III
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ6 III has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 12 fps)
- AD780 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (2260 shots vs 360 shots)
- BZ6 III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (mechanical) (20 fps vs 7 fps)
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
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
D780 is 5mm wider, 14mm taller, and 2mm thicker than Z6 III.
D780 is 5 g lighter than Z6 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 76mm D780 · 74mm Z6 III
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D780
144 × 116 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z6 III
139 × 102 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
Z6 III
139 × 74 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D780
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Z6 III
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D780
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z6 III
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
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 360 shots — higher is better
Weight
755 g vs 760 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z6 III
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, Raw…
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, SD…
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 12 fps — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Birds, Cars, Bicycles…
Both cameras share
- ✓Resolution — Both 24.5 MP
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
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 III
Pros
- ✓Partially stacked CMOS reduces rolling shutter
- ✓6K N-RAW 60p internal — true filmmaking capability
- ✓5.76M dot EVF — best-in-class resolution
- ✓14fps mechanical burst
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 380 CIPA shots
- –Smaller lens ecosystem vs. Canon RF
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D780 and Z6 III at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D780
Nikon Z6 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D780 or Z6 III?
Z6 III scores 10.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for D780 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D780 and Z6 III?
Both cameras share the same 24.5 MP resolution.
Do the D780 and Z6 III have in-body image stabilization?
D780 does not have IBIS, while Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D780 or the Z6 III?
D780 reaches 12 fps electronic. Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D780 and Z6 III?
D780 weighs 755 g and Z6 III weighs 760 g, so the D780 is 5 g lighter.
Do the D780 and Z6 III record 4K video?
D780: 4K up to 30p. Z6 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the D780 and Z6 III weather sealed?
D780: Yes. Z6 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 2,260 shots (CIPA) for the D780 and 360 shots for the Z6 III, giving the D780 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D780 launched at $2,299 and Z6 III at $2,499. The D780 is $200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D780 vs Z6 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.