MORE POWERFUL DETECTION AND TRACKING OF MOVING SUBJECTS – 51-POINT AF SYSTEM WITH OPTICAL VIEWFINDER
The D780’s 51-point AF system with 15 cross-type sensors may look familiar to D750 users, but its performance has been noticeably enhanced. That’s because of the camera’s powerful EXPEED 6 image-processing engine and the detailed subject information acquired by the Advanced Scene Recognition System and upgraded 180K-pixel RGB sensor. This enables more tenacious tracking in 3D-tracking mode and, in combination with a new AF algorithm adapted from the flagship D5, delivers improved subject detection in auto-area AF. And you can enjoy the real-time confirmation of an optical viewfinder with approx. 0.7× magnification* and 100% frame coverage, now with increased viewing comfort thanks to improved optics. Even when capturing fast, erratically moving subjects in challenging lighting conditions, the D780 gives you the tools – and confidence – to get the shot.
*50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0m-1
RADICALLY IMPROVED AF IN LIVE VIEW SHOOTING AND MOVIE RECORDING – 273-POINT HYBRID AF SYSTEM WITH FOCAL-PLANE PHASE-DETECTION AF
The D780 doesn’t just offer impressive AF in viewfinder shooting. Thanks to the incorporation of focal-plane phase-detection AF technology, its new hybrid AF system delivers an evolutionary leap in focusing performance during live view shooting and movie recording. The coverage is extremely wide – approx. 90% of the frame both horizontally and vertically with 273 focus points* – allowing the camera to focus even on subjects in the periphery. What’s more, eye-detection AF is available when capturing stills in live view shooting, bringing a whole new level of creative freedom for portrait photography. Combined with the tilting LCD monitor, this AF capability lets even experienced D-SLR users discover a range of fresh approaches, transforming the way they create stills and movies.
*In live-view still photography in FX format with all points selected in single-point AF.
Eye-detection AF is available when shooting stills in live view, using auto-area AF. In AF-C mode, half-pressing the shutter release button allows you to track the eye of a moving subject, for capturing truly candid portraits. When multiple eyes are detected, you can select which one to focus on using the multi selector.
EXTEND YOUR VISION – RELIABLE LOW-LIGHT AF IN BOTH VIEWFINDER AND LIVE VIEW SHOOTING
The D780 offers AF down to -3 EV*1 during viewfinder photography, making it possible to capture sharp images of moving subjects even under low light. And with the low-light AF function activated, AF is available down to an incredible -7 EV*2 when shooting stills in live view.
*1 ISO 100, 20°C/68°F
*2 In still photography at f/1.4, ISO 100, 20°C/68°F using AF-S.
MORE CUSTOMIZABLE AF CONTROL – ADJUSTABLE AF SPEED AND TRACKING SENSITIVITY DURING MOVIE RECORDING
Focusing speed and the smoothness of focus transitions when switching between subjects can make a huge difference in movies. Taking advantage of its newly introduced focal-plane phase-detection AF, the D780 lets you customize the speed* and tracking sensitivity of AF when filming videos. AF speed is adjustable in 11 steps, and at lower levels, focus is achieved slowly, making scenes look more cinematic. AF tracking sensitivity can be adjusted in 7 steps. Select a lower sensitivity if you want to prevent the camera from switching focus when the current subject is temporarily obscured, for instance by an obstacle such as a tree or vehicle.
*Not available with certain NIKKOR F lenses.
EXCEPTIONAL IMAGE QUALITY, ESPECIALLY UNDER LOW LIGHT – BACKSIDE ILLUMINATION CMOS SENSOR FEATURING 24.5 EFFECTIVE MEGAPIXELS AND ISO 100-51200
At the heart of the D780 is an FX-format backside illumination CMOS sensor featuring 24.5 effective megapixels, which strikes an optimal balance between image quality and low-light performance. Its design allows incoming light to reach photodiodes more efficiently, meaning the D780 can achieve a standard sensitivity range of ISO 100-51200 (expandable to ISO 50-204800 equivalent) with advanced image processing by EXPEED 6. The D780 is also the first Nikon D-SLR to incorporate focal-plane phase-detection AF, delivering faster, more accurate AF during live view shooting and movie recording.
CRISPER DEFINITION IN STILLS AND MOVIES – EXPEED 6
The D780’s EXPEED 6 image-processing engine is designed to bring more sharpness to your images while effectively reducing noise, allowing the camera to achieve a maximum standard sensitivity of ISO 51200. Its extraordinary calculating power also permits high-speed continuous shooting at approx. 7 fps with AF/AE tracking, as well as full-frame, 4K UHD/30p movie recording. The engine now supports a mid-range sharpening parameter* for Picture Control, Nikon’s unique image creation system. EXPEED 6 also offers diffraction compensation, which helps capture landscapes and cityscapes crisply, even at slow apertures.
*High image quality mode only for video.
MORE EFFECTIVE SHARPNESS ADJUSTMENTS – MID-RANGE SHARPENING AND “QUICK SHARP” FOR PICTURE CONTROLS
Nikon’s Picture Control system helps you craft images that match your creative intentions and purposes. The D780 incorporates a mid-range sharpening parameter* alongside the existing clarity parameter (which adjusts overall sharpness) and sharpening (which adjusts the appearance of details and patterns). Used together, they give you finer control over the various textures within the frame to make them look sharper or softer. And if you want a simpler way to control all three parameters, “quick sharp” lets you adjust them with a single slider.
*High image quality mode only for video.
QUICKLY CREATE A MORE ARTISTIC LOOK FOR STILLS AND MOVIES – CREATIVE PICTURE CONTROL
The D780 features 20 Creative Picture Controls that can be used to give an artistic look to your stills and movies instantly, encouraging you to explore your creativity further. The effect level for each option is adjustable from 0 to 100 in increments of 11 steps. It is also possible to create custom Picture Controls by altering each preset’s parameters, such as sharpening, saturation and contrast.
ENHANCED ACCURACY FOR AUTO CONTROLS – 180K-PIXEL RGB SENSOR FOR ADVANCED SCENE RECOGNITION SYSTEM
The D780 incorporates a range of auto controls to help you obtain optimum results, using the Advanced Scene Recognition System and the increased pixel count of the camera’s 180K-pixel RGB sensor to enhance their accuracy. Furthermore, metering is available down to -3 EV* thanks to the sensor’s superb sensitivity, which is effective when shooting low-light scenes. The system also makes it possible to achieve effective flicker reduction, which is now available in live view shooting, as well as movie recording and viewfinder photography.
*ISO 100, f/1.4, 20°C/68°F, using matrix or center-weighted metering.
MORE FAITHFUL COLOR REPRODUCTION UNDER NATURAL LIGHT – NATURAL LIGHT AUTO WHITE BALANCE OPTION
The D780 incorporates a “natural light auto” white balance mode, taking advantage of the Advanced Scene Recognition System’s improved light source identification function. This option delivers optimal white balance results under natural light, making it possible to respond quickly to changes in the weather conditions without switching to the “direct sunlight” or “cloudy” options. When shooting a scene such as an autumnal landscape awash with red leaves or a spectacular orange sunset, it also enhances the warm colors, helping create even more impressive pictures.
CAPTURE FLEETING MOMENTS – 7-FPS CONTINUOUS SHOOTING
When the action gets intense, the D780's high-speed capabilities enable you to keep pace. The camera captures 24-megapixel images at up to approx. 7 fps*1, while providing a clear, real-time view of your subject through the optical viewfinder. The newly employed mirror-down balancer minimizes mechanical vibration and stabilizes the viewfinder image. Data from the image sensor is handled rapidly by the powerful EXPEED 6 image-processing engine, allowing continuous shooting for up to approx. 68 frames*2 in 14-bit lossless compressed RAW – almost four times more than the D750. And while 7-fps continuous shooting is available in live view still photography as well, this mode also allows silent continuous shooting*3 in 12-bit RAW at up to approx. 12 fps.
*1 In AF-C, S or M mode, shutter speed 1/250 or over, and all other settings at original default settings.
*2 ISO 100, when using a Sandisk Extreme Pro UHS-II SD memory card and EN-EL15b Rechargeable Li-ion battery.
*3 Aperture drive and VR sounds may occur. Rolling shutter distortion may occur during silent photography of moving subjects.
GREATER CONTROL OVER EXPOSURE TIMES – SHUTTER SPEEDS FROM 1/8000 TO 900 S
In both dazzlingly bright and extremely dark scenes, the D780 gives you greater creative control. With a fastest shutter speed of 1/8000, you can shoot at wide apertures even in bright sunlight, in order to create more impressive portraits. At the other end of the scale, shutter speeds longer than 30 s can be selected all the way up to 900 s in M mode via the custom settings menu, which is particularly useful for extended exposures in astrophotography.
NAIL A SHOT WITHOUT ANY MECHANICAL VIBRATION OR SHUTTER CLICK – SILENT PHOTOGRAPHY
There are times when the sound of a shutter might ruin the atmosphere. The D780’s silent photography function* in live view mode lets you capture every last detail discreetly. It does this by utilizing an electronic shutter instead of triggering any mirror or shutter movement, meaning it doesn’t cause any mechanical vibration. It is also helpful when you want to minimize vibrations while using a telephoto lens, as well as to prevent mechanical wear to the shutter during interval timer shooting. Silent continuous shooting in 12-bit RAW at up to approx. 12 fps with AE/AF tracking is also available.
*Aperture drive and VR sounds may occur. Rolling shutter distortion may occur during silent photography of moving subjects.
FREEZE SPLIT-SECOND MOTION – 120-FPS HIGH-SPEED FRAME CAPTURE
When you want to discover even more in a fast-moving scene, the D780’s High-speed Frame Capture – available during movie live view mode – allows you to take 2-megapixel*1 images at up to an incredible 120 fps with AE/AF, as well as 8-megapixel*2 images at up to 30 fps. Now you can see the movements between the movement during action sequences, like the moment a runner leaves the starting blocks or a diver hits the water. It brings split-second action that even a flagship camera would struggle to capture within your reach.
*1 With Full-HD selected for image quality.
*2 With 4K UHD selected for image quality.
RELIABLE PERFORMANCE EVEN IN CHALLENGING CONDITIONS – DURABLE BODY WITH DUST AND DRIP RESISTANCE
The D780’s body ensures comfortable handling, with a secure, easy-to-hold grip and optimized button layout for smooth operation. By employing a monocoque structure with magnesium alloy for the rear and top covers, it achieves a rugged frame while reducing overall size and weight. Comprehensive sealing is also applied to keep the camera protected against dust and water. Improving on the D750, a newly introduced AF-ON button and a dedicated ISO button bring even greater usability. Combining sturdiness with an agility that’s unusual for an FX-format D-SLR camera, the D780 enables you to shoot in a wide range of demanding environments, expanding the field of your creative potential.
UP TO 2,260 SHOTS PER CHARGE – LONG BATTERY LIFE
The D780’s EN-EL15b Rechargeable Li-ion Battery allows you to shoot up to approx. 2,260 shots or approx. 95 minutes of movies per single charge. As a result, you can concentrate on shooting without having to worry about remaining battery charge, even when recording several thousand images in interval timer photography.
*CIPA Standards.
INTUITIVE LIVE VIEW OPERATION – TOUCH-OPERABLE, TILTING 8-CM/3.2-IN., 2359K-DOT MONITOR
The D780’s touch-operable, tilting LCD monitor takes the live view experience to a new level, combining touch AF and fast hybrid AF to enable more intuitive, effective shooting for both stills and movies. Checking focus on the 3.2-in., 2359k-dot XGA monitor is easier, as the image enlarges when you pinch out. And being able to change and scroll quickly through menu settings by touch speeds up workflow.
INSTANT SETTING CHANGES – FLEXIBLE I MENU OPERATION WITH NEW GUI
The D780 features a new Graphical User Interface (GUI) that incorporates a more flexible and easy-to-navigate i menu. Users can select all 12 functions assigned to the i menu, and customize the layout differently for still image shooting and video recording, according to their needs. Setting changes can be made via touch operation, as well as by using the main/sub-command dial and OK button.
OPTIONS FOR IMPROVED WORKFLOW EFFICIENCY – DOUBLE SD CARD SLOTS
The D780 features double UHS-II compatible SD card slots, bringing greater flexibility and peace of mind. It offers various storage options, including the ability to save the same data onto two cards for instant backup or record RAW and JPEG simultaneously onto separate cards. It also now lets you delete both copies of an image stored on two cards in a single operation, for improved workflow efficiency.
RAW IMAGE TRANSFERS TO SMART DEVICES & NEW FILTERING SETTINGS – SNAPBRIDGE VER. 2.6
The SnapBridge ver. 2.6 allows transfers of RAW images to smart devices connected directly to the camera via Wi-Fi, while introducing filtering settings that make it easier to find images. Remote control via Bluetooth connection now offers expanded features. Using your smart device as a remote controller, you can shoot/playback* stills and movies, and half-press the camera’s shutter release button to perform operations such as achieving focus. It is also possible to start/stop interval timer photography, time-lapse movie recording and focus shift shooting.
*Playback operation is only available via Bluetooth connection.
CLEAR AND SHARP VIDEO FOOTAGE – FULL-FRAME 4K UHD AND FULL HD 120P/100P
The D780 lets you film breathtaking 4K UHD/30p videos with a wide angle of view and large bokeh, making full use of the FX-based movie image area, without any crop. The camera offers Full HD 120p/100p*1 recording, including audio capture, providing more options in post-production. Instant dramatic expression is also possible, with the ability to process Full HD ×4 and ×5 slow motion in-camera. Moreover, the D780’s hybrid AF system allows you to shoot videos with confidence. It has 231 AF points*2 that cover a wide area of the frame, while a choice of four AF-area modes for video – single-point AF, wide-area AF (S/L) and auto-area AF – brings added flexibility.
*1 Fixed at FX-based movie format. Face detection is not available in auto-area AF.
*2 In FX-based movie format with single-point AF.
STUNNING COLORS IN 4K UHD WITH HDR – HYBRID LOG GAMMA (HLG) SUPPORT
The D780 lets you produce 4K UHD videos with more realistic, beautiful colors and rich details in shadows and highlights, thanks to Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) support, available during 10-bit HDMI output recording. This HDR video format supports ITU-R BT.2100, which features the wide color gamut of the BT.2020 standard. It is particularly convenient when you quickly need to deliver video with rich tonal gradation for HLG-compatible TV and monitors, as it eliminates the need for converting the log recorded file to the HDR format. The camera also has a “view assist” function that applies simple gradation compensation to the footage being recorded, and displays it in approximate colors on the LCD monitor – which is convenient if you don’t have a compatible monitor to check it on. Note: Simultaneous recording to memory card is not available.
RICHER TONALITY FOR PROFESSIONAL POST-PRODUCTION – 10-BIT N-LOG
If you’re looking to produce professional-quality video pieces, N-Log is your ideal partner, letting you take advantage of an extensive color depth range in 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output. It captures up to approx. 1.07 billion colors and a wide dynamic range at 12 stops and 1300%, recording richer gradation information in highlights and shadows to allow for more effective color grading. The camera’s “view assist” function offers a useful way of confirming the approximate look of the footage while recording with N-Log. Note: Simultaneous recording to memory card is not available.
ACCURATE MANUAL FOCUS CONFIRMATION – FOCUS PEAKING DISPLAY IN 4K UHD
Many professional videographers use manual focus to give their movies a unique look. The D780’s focus peaking display – available in 4K UHD, as well as Full HD – allows precise confirmation of focus when doing so, by detecting the scene’s highest-contrast edges and highlighting them in a designated color. You can choose to display highlights in red, yellow, blue or white, according to your subject’s own coloration, and adjust between three levels of detection sensitivity. For added convenience, this peaking information will not be recorded on external devices connected via HDMI.
ENHANCED IMAGE QUALITY IN 4K UHD – ACTIVE D-LIGHTING AND EVR
Active D-Lighting is now available in 4K UHD recording, preserving details in highlights and shadows even when shooting under harsh sunlight. Electronic vibration reduction is also supported in 4K UHD, providing a sharp image with minimum blur.
SPECTACULAR TIME-LAPSE MOVIES, IN-CAMERA — INTERVAL TIMER AND TIME-LAPSE PHOTOGRAPHY
Using interval timer photography to make time-lapse movies typically requires post-processing on a computer. But with the D780, it’s possible to create time-lapse sequences in-camera*1 using interval timer mode, and instantly confirm – and share – the results. Movies are created in 16:9 aspect ratio, while the camera also saves the individual frames. In both interval timer shooting and conventional time-lapse photography, Nikon’s unique exposure smoothing function*2 reduces subtle exposure variations between frames, which can create unattractive flickering effects when converted into video. What’s more, when used with silent mode, it extends the camera’s exposure metering capability beyond the -3 EV*3 available during regular shooting. This lets photographers use A mode or other auto exposure modes to shoot scenes where brightness changes significantly, such as a sky transitioning from sunset to midnight, all in one continuous sequence.
*1 Interval timer photography is not available when activating this option with 1:1 image area selected.
*2 Also available in focus shift photography.
*3 ISO 100, f/1.4, 20°C/68°F.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONS FOR MORE PROFESSIONAL VIDEOGRAPHY – TIMECODE RECORDING AND ATOMOS OPEN PROTOCOL
The D780 can be incorporated into more complex movie shoots. The camera can record a timecode*1 in video data, as well as including it with footage saved to an external recorder*2 via HDMI, for easier synchronization of footage and sounds from multiple devices in post-production. Drop frame support is also available. What’s more, the D780 is compatible with Atomos Open Protocol, and syncs the start/stop of 4K UHD and Full HD recording on the in-camera memory card and a connected HDMI recorder*3 when the camera’s movie-recording button is pressed.
*1 Not available when shooting slow-motion movies, or with photo illustration/miniature effects applied.
*2 Atomos Monitor Recorders (SHOGUN, NINJA, SUMO series), etc. are supported.
*3 When using a third-party recorder which supports Atomos Open Protocol.
THE FULL VIDEO EXPERIENCE
