I've read/watched countless reviews of the D780 but have been unable to discern whether or not the D780 is as capable a camera for birding/wildlife as the D500 or D850. I have a D500 (used primarily for birding) and a Z6 (everything else). I like the images my Z6 delivers but as an 'action' camera, it IS lacking. I'm trying to figure out if the D780 is comparable to the D500/D850 in focusing speed or can handle action better than the Z6? Anyone know or have it and used it as I describe? I read where it has D5 focusing algorithms which, to me, would mean it's a capable focusing camera but I can't seem to find anyone who will definitely say so.
D780 for wildlife
- Thread starter CharlieR
- Start date
If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).
I've used all the cameras you mention for action. The D780 is noticeably better than the Z6 for action. However, it's not up to the level of the D500 or D850 either. It's probably closer to the higher end DSLRs than it is to the Z6 though. Graphed out, it would look like this:
Z6>>>>>>>>>>>D780>>>>>D850>D500>>>D5
Z6>>>>>>>>>>>D780>>>>>D850>D500>>>D5
Pistnbroke
Active member
24 MP on FX ..Not enough pixels on image for Birds in 2020 Go D850 if you can afford it .
For what it's worth, I have had a 780 for about 6 weeks and can't imagine I would need faster AF system. I have tried it out with cyclists coming towards me at speeds of more than 20 kph and every shot has been tack sharp. Yesterday I was at the beach and saw a seagull coming towards me. Fortunately I had a fast shutter speed set so in about a second raised my camera and shot. It was a few minutes after the sun had gone down. This is the result. Maybe the D500 or D850 are faster but I personally can't see any need for more speed.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Thank you! I know one person's opinion isn't definitive, but it's gratifying to hear of your experience with this camera. I know the wave of the future is mirrorless, but for action (as I stated in my original post) the Z6/Z7 are lacking. You have to make sure you activate the EVF a fraction of a second before you take a shot and that can be maddening if you are in an action situation. I still like to put a DSLR up to my eye and immediately get the shot. The focusing system is not as good as my D500 for anything happening fast. But the images I get from my Z6 are very good--I have the native 50mm f1.8 and 24-70mm f4 and both deliver superb images. It's interesting someone posted that 24MP isn't enough, you have to go to 45MP (or more) to get decent wildlife shots. I had a D750 for a while and looking back through my saved images some of my favorite bird photos and landscapes were taken with my D750. Great photographs. I don't know that that many more megapixels make that much of a difference. Everyone is gaga any more on the Sony A9, but it's 24MP and a lot of folks will settle for the 24MP if they get the focusing speed of the A9, so there are some inconsistencies on how many megapixels are enough. I would go to a single camera, like a D780, to get the quality of a full-frame photograph and ditch both my D500 and Z6. I would get a Z6/Z7 IF it could focus like Sony A9 or Nikon D500/D850. I'm getting older and don't like carrying around two bodies when I could carry one camera and multiple lenses.
fcotterill
Well-known member
I've had the D780 since early June, alongside D850. (As just posted in the MILC thread, it has replaced the Z7.) I agree with the posts above. ACF performance has been underrated by too many 'experts', as this camera does well and the action performance is noticeably better than with the Z AF
The haptics are also not as comprehensive as the D500 / D850 ie Menu options are limited in Custom settings (eg one cannot assign AFOn+AF Mode to Pv or Fn). However the D780 liveview is far ahead of any other DSLR in my experience, and note that it also packages the Z6 AFC. I have experimented on sunbirds from a hide close up using silent-shooting at 1/2500 and 1/3000. Otherwise, I use a Hoodman Loupe where silent-shooting is essential.
The lowlight IQ is also close to that of the D5 sensor (obvious as the D780 appears to have the Z6 sensor) , and image quality at ISO12800 is far superior to that of my D850 (or Z7).
The haptics are also not as comprehensive as the D500 / D850 ie Menu options are limited in Custom settings (eg one cannot assign AFOn+AF Mode to Pv or Fn). However the D780 liveview is far ahead of any other DSLR in my experience, and note that it also packages the Z6 AFC. I have experimented on sunbirds from a hide close up using silent-shooting at 1/2500 and 1/3000. Otherwise, I use a Hoodman Loupe where silent-shooting is essential.
The lowlight IQ is also close to that of the D5 sensor (obvious as the D780 appears to have the Z6 sensor) , and image quality at ISO12800 is far superior to that of my D850 (or Z7).
Last edited:
Ado Wolf
Well-known member
I recently decided not to go Mirrorless just yet since
- I want to stay with Nikon, being invested in F glass
- the Z6ii isn't quite there yet (compared to DSLR)
- and I didn't like the FTZ (it's a hassle, loss of AF speed, etc.)
So my only 2 Nikon options at the moment (budget wise) are the D850 and D780. This will be my first Full Frame camera, that replaces my D7200, used mainly for Landscape and the occasional Wildlife (when the distance to the critter allows it). I will continue using my D7500 for Wildlife.
I read in Steve's book that the D850 with it's high 46 MP demands more shutter speed than a 24 MP to avoid motion blur and it is best used on a tripod. Since I am more of a hand-held and I value light weight, I am tilting towards the D780. I also like the idea that Video has been improved (hybrid Z6 in Live View).
Considering you have the budget for both, which would you go for and why? D780 vs D850?
- I want to stay with Nikon, being invested in F glass
- the Z6ii isn't quite there yet (compared to DSLR)
- and I didn't like the FTZ (it's a hassle, loss of AF speed, etc.)
So my only 2 Nikon options at the moment (budget wise) are the D850 and D780. This will be my first Full Frame camera, that replaces my D7200, used mainly for Landscape and the occasional Wildlife (when the distance to the critter allows it). I will continue using my D7500 for Wildlife.
I read in Steve's book that the D850 with it's high 46 MP demands more shutter speed than a 24 MP to avoid motion blur and it is best used on a tripod. Since I am more of a hand-held and I value light weight, I am tilting towards the D780. I also like the idea that Video has been improved (hybrid Z6 in Live View).
Considering you have the budget for both, which would you go for and why? D780 vs D850?
Like you, I value hand held and lightweight. That was one of my main reasons for choosing the D780 plus the lower cost. A good friend who is a birder had recently bought the 850 but I did not think that the almost $2000 extra in Canada was worth it for me. I have since seen used 850's for slightly less than I paid for my new 780 but I have no regrets. I just think about the extra weight; the 780 is heavy enough. I also like the live view and mirrorless function on the 780 although I don't use it a lot. I have for experimenting with focus stacking and I can take 30 shots in about 10 or 12 seconds.
I know Steve is not big on cropping but I do not find that cropping with the 24 mp files is a big downside for me. With Topaz DeNoise used occasionally the results are perfectly adequate for me. Have a look at my post in: https://bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/denoise-ai-or-sharpen-or-both.5512/post-55942
It is hard to resist the general tone in this forum to get the latest and most technologically advanced equipment here and not seriously to ask ourselves "To what end?" "Are my photos really going to be that much better?" I think most of us get to be better photographers from practice and critiquing, not from more advanced equipment.
I know Steve is not big on cropping but I do not find that cropping with the 24 mp files is a big downside for me. With Topaz DeNoise used occasionally the results are perfectly adequate for me. Have a look at my post in: https://bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/denoise-ai-or-sharpen-or-both.5512/post-55942
It is hard to resist the general tone in this forum to get the latest and most technologically advanced equipment here and not seriously to ask ourselves "To what end?" "Are my photos really going to be that much better?" I think most of us get to be better photographers from practice and critiquing, not from more advanced equipment.
WildBill
Member
I have the D500 and D780. The D780 images are absolutely beautiful and great in low light. The AF for action... not so much. The D500 blows it out of the water with AF. That said, I still prefer my D780 over the D500 just because of how beautiful the images are and the flexibility with the mirrorless capabilities on the LCD.