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Nikon D780 vs Nikon D800E

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD780NikonD800E
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2020April 2012
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeBackside-illuminated CMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.9 × 24 mm
Effective resolution24.5 MP36.3 MP
Largest image6048 × 40247360 × 4912
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–51200100–6400
Sensor detail25.28 million total pixels; sensor cleaning and image-dust-off reference dataFX CMOS with 36.3 million effective pixels and 36.77 million total in Japan, rounded to 36.8 million USA; Optical low-pass filter stack cancels the aliasing/moiré reduction effect rather than removing all filter glass; Nikon warns of more noticeable moiré and false colour with some subjects. IR/anti-reflection coating remains the same as D800. Image Sensor Cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data. FX 7360 × 4912; 1.2× crop 6144 × 4080; DX 4800 × 3200; 5:4 crop 6144 × 4912
Image formats12/14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or ordinary compression; JPEG and RAW plus JPEG12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, lossless-compressed or compressed; TIFF RGB, JPEG Fine/Normal/Basic with size-priority or optimal-quality compression, simultaneous RAW/JPEG; adjustable/custom Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processing
ISO detailExpandable to equivalent ISO 50–204800; Auto ISO availableStandard ISO 100–6400 in one-third, half or whole stops; Lo expansion down to ISO 50 equivalent and Hi expansion up to ISO 25600 equivalent; automatic sensitivity control
Image processorEXPEED 6EXPEED 3
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst12 fps4 fps
Lens detailF-mount G/E/D, supported AF, P and AI non-CPU lenses with restrictions; DX lenses use a crop; non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedF mount with body AF coupling and contacts; G/D, other AF and AI-P lenses with restrictions; non-CPU AI lenses usable in A/M with registered lens data, DX lenses use DX crop. Non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses excluded
AutofocusViewfinder Advanced Multi-CAM 3500II phase detection with 51 points, 15 cross-type and 11 supporting f/8. Live-view hybrid phase/contrast detection provides 273 FX still-image single-point positions and eye detection. UK/Japan sensitivity −3 EV viewfinder, −5 EV live view or −7 EV low-light AF under maker conditions; US launch prose's −4 EV viewfinder claim conflicts with exact specs.Advanced Multi-CAM3500FX phase detection with 51 points, 15 cross-type and 11 f/8-compatible points; -2 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C, fine-tuning, single-point, dynamic nine/21/51, 3D tracking and auto-area. Live view uses contrast AF-S/AF-F and face/wide/normal/tracking areas; current USA AF-A listing conflicts with Japan's AF-S/AF-C modes
ShutterMechanical, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutters; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; manual-mode extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 second with compatible Auto FP support.Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter, 1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; tested to 200000 cycles. X-sync 1/250 second, up to 1/320 with reduced flash range
Burst detailUp to 7 fps through the optical viewfinder; silent live view up to 12 fps with 12-bit RAW or 8 fps with 14-bit RAW. Low-speed 1–6 fps viewfinder or 1–3 fps live view; quiet continuous 3 fps. Reduced-resolution movie-frame still captures at up to 120 fps are separate from full-resolution continuous shooting.Approximately 4 fps full FX or 5:4; 5 fps DX or 1.2× crop on EN-EL15. DX reaches 6 fps with optional MB-D12 using EN-EL18 or AA batteries, or an AC adapter; 1.2× remains 5 fps. Quiet single-frame, mirror-up and configurable self-timer modes
Stabilisation detailNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical VR depends on the attached lens; electronic movie VR availableVR depends on attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights; optional AS-15 provides a flash-sync terminalBuilt-in i-TTL pop-up flash, guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C; commander for two remote groups, hot shoe, PC sync terminal and compatible Auto FP Speedlights
Exposure controlsAuto, P/S/A/M, effects and U1/U2 settings; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation; 180K-pixel RGB viewfinder metering sensorP/S/A/M; 91000-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation, exposure/flash and white-balance bracketing; two-exposure HDR, interval timer and dual-axis virtual horizon. Japan centre-weighted default is 12 mm and spot range 2–20 EV; USA lists 8 mm and 0–20 EV
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Video detailUHD 3840 × 2160 at 29.97/25/23.976p without extra FX crop, oversampled from 6K sensor data; Full HD up to 119.88p and separate silent slow-motion modes. H.264 MOV/MP4; limit 29 minutes 59 seconds. 10-bit N-Log and HLG require an external HDMI recorder and cannot simultaneously record that output to the camera card. UK prose's DX 50/60p statement does not mean UHD 50/60p; exact maker UHD table tops out at 30p.FX- or DX-based 1920 × 1080 at 30p/25p/24p; 1280 × 720 at 60p/50p/30p/25p; MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and linear PCM audio. High quality up to 20 minutes, normal up to 29 min 59 s; time-lapse movies and uncompressed HDMI output. Photography Blog's 1920 × 1280 movie caption conflicts with Nikon's 1920 × 1080 specification; DPReview introductory VGA listing conflicts with the own maker specification
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones, external 3.5 mm microphone input and headphone output; PCM or AAC depending on file format; microphone attenuatorBuilt-in mono microphone; 3.5 mm external stereo input and headphone output; adjustable microphone sensitivity
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots2,359,000921,000
TouchscreenYesNo
Tilting screenYesNo
Display detailApproximately 100% coverage, 170° viewing angle and vertical tilt; maker UK states 2359K dots, Japan rounds to approximately 2.36 million; dots count subpixelsFixed 3.2-inch TFT, approximately 921000 dots USA/global or 920000 Japan; 170° viewing angle, approximately 100% coverage and automatic brightness adjustment; top status LCD, BM-12 protective cover and live view
Viewfinder detailPentaprism, approximately 100% FX coverage, 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 21 mm eyepoint and −3 to +1 dioptre adjustmentPentaprism, approximately 100% FX coverage, 97% DX/1.2× and 100% vertical/97% horizontal 5:4 in Japan; USA gives 97% both axes for 5:4. Approximately 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 17 mm eyepoint, grid display and depth-of-field preview; current USA calls it a pentamirror, conflicting with the combined Japan pentaprism specification
Connections and design
Wi-FiYes–
BluetoothYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)2260 photographs900 photographs
Body weight755 g900 g
Release detailNikon US announced on 6 January 2020 and specified availability in late January; global announcement dated 7 January. Main uses the confirmed month without inferring a UK retail day.April 2012 release month; Nikon Japan records actual first sale on 12 April, with global announcement dated 7 February. The regional day does not establish earliest worldwide sale; this model was co-marketed with D800
Recording mediaTwo UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copyingOne Type I CompactFlash slot with UDMA and one SD/SDHC/SDXC slot with UHS-I; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG split and copying between cards
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, accessory terminal for MC-DC2; optional WT-7 provides network connectivityUSB 3.0 Micro-B, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, PC sync and 10-pin remote/GPS terminal; optional UT-1 provides wired LAN
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.2; SnapBridgeNo built-in Wi-Fi or GPS; optional WT-4 networking or WT-5 with UT-1, GP-1 GPS and WR-R10 with WR-A10 adapter or WR-1 remote. Current Japan lists later accessory support
Battery life detailEN-EL15b; approximately 2260 CIPA single-frame shots or 4570 shots under Nikon's separate continuous-shooting test; approximately 95 minutes of movie recording. EN-EL15a/15 compatibility with restrictions; EN-EL15c may be supplied.EN-EL15, approximately 900 CIPA shots; optional MB-D12 takes EN-EL15, EN-EL18 with BL-5 cover or eight AA cells. Japan gives 1400 shots for grip EN-EL18 or 1000 with alkaline AA, without simultaneously counting the body's battery
ChargingIn-camera charging with EN-EL15b and optional EH-7P; external MH-25a charger. Optional AC adapter and EP-5B power connector.External MH-25 charger; optional EH-5b AC adapter with EP-5B connector
DimensionsApproximately 143.5 × 115.5 × 76 mmApproximately 146 × 123 × 81.5 mm Japan; current USA gives 144.78 × 121.92 × 81.28 mm
Weight detailApproximately 755 g body only or 840 g including battery and SD card, excluding body capApproximately 900 g body only; 1000 g with battery and SD card, excluding body cap
MaterialsWeather-sealed magnesium alloy construction; maker operating range 0–40°CMagnesium-alloy body with dust/water-resistant sealing
Colours–Black
In the boxEN-EL15-series battery, MH-25a charger, UC-E24 USB cable, AN-DC21 strap, BF-1B body cap, DK-5 eyepiece cap and DK-31 eyecup; battery revision may varyEN-EL15, MH-25, DK-17 eyepiece, UC-E14 USB cable and clip, AN-DC6E strap, BM-12 monitor cover, BF-1B body cap, BS-1 shoe cover and ViewNX 2 CD-ROM (Japan D800E package)

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