Nikon D6 vs Nikon D780 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 20.8 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon D6
80
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 25 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon D780
81
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D6 and the Nikon D780 are full frame DSLRs launched in 2020 on the Nikon F mount, so F lenses move freely between them. The D6 is the larger machine at 160 x 163 x 92 mm and 1450 g, while the D780 measures 144 x 116 x 76 mm and weighs 850 g. That 600 g saving makes the D780 the lighter, more compact body for a day of travel shooting. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2020 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 11, 2020 | February 12, 2020 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 160 x 163 x 92 mm | 144 x 116 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 1450 g | 850 g |
| Optics | 75/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D780 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 25 MP against the D6's 20.8 MP. Those extra pixels leave more detail to spare when you crop a distant bird or enlarge a landscape. For fast action the advantage swings to the D6, whose 105 autofocus points outnumber the D780's 51, and its 14 fps burst rate outpaces the D780's 12. The D6's native ISO ceiling runs to 102400, against 51200 on the D780. The other stills specifications match. Both use the Expeed 6 processor, offer a 1/8000 second top shutter speed, and frame shots through optical pentaprism viewfinders. Neither has in body stabilisation, so handheld work in dim light leans on steady technique or a stabilised lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.8 MP050 | 25 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5568 x 3712 | 6048 x 4024 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
35.9 x 23.9 | 23.9 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
14 fps045 | 12 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F | Nikon F |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 6 | Expeed 6 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
1024003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32800003003280000 | 2048003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
90044080 | 90044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
1050300 | 510300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 83/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe D780 is the better pick for slow motion, recording at up to 120 fps where the D6 tops out at 60. That higher frame rate gives an editor more freedom to slow fast motion, whether it is a martial arts strike or a waterfall. 4K is the maximum resolution on both, and both record MPEG-4 or MOV files. A built in timelapse function on each condenses a passing day into seconds of footage. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 87/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D780's tilting rear screen lets you hold the camera low for ground level macro shots or raise it over a crowd, while the D6's screen is fixed in place. The D6 answers with built in GPS, tagging each file with its shooting location for field, travel or news work. The remaining features are shared. Both offer a 3.2 inch touch screen with 2359000 dots, weather sealing, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and both accept external flash units. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
23590001150001500000 | 23590001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 100/100 | 97/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D6 carries the higher battery rating, 3580 shots against the D780's 2260. Both bodies have dual card slots and charge over USB. The slots take different media. The D6 writes to CFexpress or XQD cards, while the D780 uses SD, SDHC and SDXC cards with UHS-II support. | ||
| Memory card | CFexpress, XQD | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL18c | EN-EL15b |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
3580 shots1505000 | 2260 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D6 for sports, wildlife and reportage. Its 105 autofocus points, 14 fps bursts, GPS tagging and higher battery rating suit a full match day or an airshow. Choose the D780 for landscape, travel and video work. Its 25 MP sensor rewards large prints, the tilting screen eases awkward angles, and 120 fps slows fast action in the edit. Both use the Nikon F mount, so your current lenses stay in use.