Decision tools · Compare
Nikon D780 vs Z5
Quick take: The Nikon D780 has the highest resolution at 25MP; the Z5 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Nikon
Z5 2020
Best for Entry-level full-frame & DSLR switchers
£999
list price · used from £505 at eBay
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z5 — Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers: The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Who should buy what
Z5 (2020)
is the right camera for you if…
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Nikon D780Nikon · 2020 | Z5Nikon · 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £999Best |
| Sensor | 24.3MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 25.0MPBest | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 10-bit N-Log via HDMI, 1080p/120p | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 51-point DSLR phase-detect (viewfinder); on-sensor hybrid AF with eye detection (live view/video) | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 7fpsBest | 4.5fps |
| Battery Life | 2,260 shots (CIPA, viewfinder) | ~470 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 840g (with battery and card) | 590g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | — | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 0.7x magnification, 100% coverage | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification |
| Screen | Tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD (UHS-II) | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Nikon D780
Z5
Portrait
6.7/10
7.7/10
Street
5.4/10
6.1/10
Travel
5.6/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
7.3/10
7.3/10
Filmmaking
6.2/10
6.1/10
Documentary
6.5/10
6.7/10
Sports & Action
6.3/10
6.4/10
Landscape
6.2/10
6.1/10
Wildlife
6.2/10
6.8/10
Casual
4.2/10
4.7/10
Food
5.8/10
6.6/10
Macro
5.4/10
6.4/10
Architecture
5.9/10
6.0/10
Astrophotography
6.7/10
6.4/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
Next
More comparisons with Nikon D780
Camera family history