Nikon
D780
Last great Nikon DSLR — Z6 sensor with DSLR ergonomics and hybrid live view AF.
$2,299
Released Jan 2020
Sony
Alpha 7R VI
66.8MP fully-stacked full-frame high-resolution body with 30fps bursts, 8K 30p, 4K 120p, and Sony's new BIONZ XR2 engine.
$4,499
Released Jun 2026
Alpha 7R VI is 6.4 years newer.
Wins
D780
Wins
Alpha 7R VI
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AD780 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (2260 shots vs 600 shots)
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 273)
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher Resolution (66.8 MP vs 24.5 MP)
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 12 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D780
144 × 116 × 76 mm
755 g (1.66 lb / 26.63 oz)
Alpha 7R VI
133 × 97 × 83 mm
713 g (1.57 lb / 25.15 oz)
D780 is 7mm thinner than Alpha 7R VI but it is also 11mm wider and 19mm taller.
D780 is 42 g heavier than Alpha 7R VI.
Depth (front-to-back): 76mm D780 · 83mm Alpha 7R VI
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D780
144 × 116 mm
Alpha 7R VI
133 × 97 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D780
144 × 76 mm
Alpha 7R VI
133 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D780
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 7R VI
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D780
Nikon F
270+
native lenses available
Alpha 7R VI
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
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
Subject recognition
Adds People, Dogs, Cats
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 600 shots — higher is better
AA filter
Only D780 supports it
Weather sealing
Only D780 supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7R VI
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 132.7, 96.9, 82.9
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SDXC UHS-II
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 273 — higher is better
Resolution
66.8 MP vs 24.5 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
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
Alpha 7R VI
Pros
- ✓66.8MP fully-stacked Exmor RS sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free electronic burst
- ✓8K 30p and 4K 120p video
- ✓8.5-stop in-body stabilization
- ✓9.44M-dot HDR OLED EVF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Large files demand fast cards and storage
- –8K workflow can be heavy
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D780 or Alpha 7R VI?
Alpha 7R VI scores 8.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for D780 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the D780 and Alpha 7R VI?
D780 is 24.5 MP and Alpha 7R VI is 66.8 MP, so the Alpha 7R VI captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D780 and Alpha 7R VI have in-body image stabilization?
D780 does not have IBIS, while alpha 7R VI has in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D780 or the Alpha 7R VI?
D780 reaches 12 fps electronic. Alpha 7R VI reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D780 and Alpha 7R VI?
D780 weighs 755 g and Alpha 7R VI weighs 713 g, so the Alpha 7R VI is 42 g lighter.
Do the D780 and Alpha 7R VI record 4K video?
D780: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7R VI: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D780 and Alpha 7R VI weather sealed?
D780: Yes. Alpha 7R VI: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 2,260 shots (CIPA) for the D780 and 600 shots for the Alpha 7R VI, giving the D780 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D780 launched at $2,299 and Alpha 7R VI at $4,499. The D780 is $2,200 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.