Nikon D780
Real Sensor Data
- Brand
- Nikon
- Sensor Format
- Full Frame
- Resolution
- 24.5 MP
- Pixel Pitch
- 5.94 microns
- Circle of Confusion
- 0.0288 mm
- Crop Factor
- 1.00x
- Announced
- 2020
Released in 2020, the D780 was Nikon's late-generation full-frame DSLR built to bridge its established DSLR shooters toward mirrorless technology — carrying a 24.5-megapixel sensor borrowed largely from the mirrorless Z6, paired with a traditional DSLR optical viewfinder and mechanical shutter that its Z-series counterpart doesn't have.
Nikon D780 sensor specs
- Sensor
- Full Frame
- Resolution
- 24.5 MP
- Pixel dimensions
- 6,062 × 4,041 px
- Aspect ratio
- 3:2
- Pixel pitch
- 5.94 µm
- Crop factor
- 1.00x
- Circle of confusion
- 0.0288 mm
Full Frame sensor · DoF & Hyperfocal Calculator · Astro 500/NPF Calculator
The D780 also inherited on-sensor phase-detect autofocus for Live View shooting directly from the Z6, making handheld Live View and video autofocus noticeably faster and more reliable than earlier Nikon DSLRs relying on slower contrast-detect Live View systems. It also gained Nikon's 4K UHD video at 30p using the full sensor width, unlike many earlier DSLRs that applied a crop for 4K recording, a genuine video-quality improvement inherited from its mirrorless sensor lineage.
Nikon also added a joystick autofocus point selector to the D780, a control Nikon's entry-level DSLRs typically omit, reflecting its positioning as a more advanced, enthusiast-oriented body.
See these numbers used live in the DoF & Hyperfocal Calculator by selecting the Full Frame sensor format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nikon release a new full-frame DSLR after mirrorless bodies existed?
The D780 targeted established DSLR shooters who valued an optical viewfinder and mechanical shutter over Nikon's newer mirrorless system, while still benefiting from a modern, mirrorless-derived sensor for stills and video quality.
Is the Nikon D780's sensor from a mirrorless camera?
Its 24.5-megapixel sensor closely matches the resolution used in Nikon's mirrorless Z6-series bodies, giving the D780 similar image-quality characteristics in a traditional DSLR body with an optical viewfinder and mechanical shutter.