Nikon D780

The Nikon D780 is a full-frame DSLR released in 2020. It pairs an optical pentaprism viewfinder with a 3.2-inch touchscreen, so you can shoot through the finder or switch to live view on the rear screen.

Its Nikon F mount means photographers who already own F-mount lenses can use their existing glass. Wireless connectivity comes via built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

At 850 g and 144 x 116 x 76 mm, it is a substantial camera, so factor its size and weight into travel plans.

A 25-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor sits behind the Nikon F mount. That resolution leaves room to crop while retaining plenty of pixels, and the F mount ties the camera into the established range of F-fit lenses.

Sensitivity settings run from ISO 100 to 51200, giving a wide span of exposure options as light changes. The camera uses the Expeed 6 image processor.

For action, burst shooting reaches up to 12fps and the shutter speeds up to 1/8000 second. Both figures describe the camera's fastest settings, so treat them as peak capability rather than a promise of sustained output.

Autofocus uses 51 points, and the optical pentaprism viewfinder gives a direct view of the scene. Without in-body stabilisation, sharp handheld frames at slower shutter speeds depend on stabilised lenses or steady technique.

Video recording tops out at 4K resolution. The camera also offers frame rates up to 120fps for slow-motion work. The resolution paired with that fastest rate is not listed, so check the available combinations before planning any slow-motion project.

A timelapse function is built in, so you can shoot interval projects without buying any extra accessories for the job.

Footage records as MPEG-4 or MOV, so the camera offers a choice of two file formats for its video output.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld video depends on stabilised lenses or a tripod. Stabilisation smooths camera shake rather than subject movement, which matters when filming fast action.

The 3.2-inch TFT screen offers 2,359,000 dots and touch control, and tapping the screen gives direct access to settings. It also flips out, which helps with waist-level and overhead framing.

Live view puts the scene on that rear screen when a finder is not the right tool, such as when working on a tripod or at awkward angles, and touch input pairs naturally with it.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both built in, giving the D780 wireless connectivity options.

Weather sealing helps the body cope with dust and moisture in outdoor conditions, which suits a camera likely to be carried into changing weather.

Two card slots take SD, SDHC and SDXC media, with UHS-II support for faster cards. The second slot effectively doubles your card capacity on long shooting days, and two slots give some flexibility in how you carry and organise media.

The EN-EL15b battery carries a rating of 2260 shots under its test conditions. Real endurance depends on how much you use live view, the screen and wireless features, so treat the rating as a comparative figure rather than a day-out promise.

Charging over USB is available, so you can refill the battery without a dedicated charger, which is convenient when topping up between shoots or packing light.