Upgrade Guide
Nikon Nikon D780→Nikon Z50
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the Nikon D780. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Z50
-
Burst rate11fps vs 7fps
-
Battery life300 shots (CIPA) vs 2,260 shots (CIPA, viewfinder)
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution21MP (down from 25MP — optimised for low light)
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StabilisationIBIS not present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | Nikon D780 | Z50 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.1 | ||
| Street | +0.9 | ||
| Travel | +0.7 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.8 | ||
| Filmmaking | -1.4 | ||
| Documentary | -0.7 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.5 | ||
| Landscape | -0.9 | ||
| Wildlife | +1.0 | ||
| Casual | +1.1 | ||
| Food | +0.2 | ||
| Macro | +0.2 | ||
| Architecture | -0.8 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.5 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Nikon D780 | Z50 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £499 | |
| Released | 2020 | 2019 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.3MP full-frame BSI CMOS | APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 25MP | 21MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K/30p, 10-bit N-Log via HDMI, 1080p/120p | 4K 30fps (1.5× crop), 1080p 120fps | |
| Autofocus | 51-point DSLR phase-detect (viewfinder); on-sensor hybrid AF with eye detection (live view/video) | 209-point phase-detect hybrid AF | |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation | |
| Burst Rate | 7fps | 11fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | 2,260 shots (CIPA, viewfinder) | 300 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 840g (with battery and card) | 397g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 0.7x magnification, 100% coverage | EVF 0.68× 2.36M-dot | |
| Screen | Tilting touchscreen | 3.2" downward-tilting touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount | Nikon Z-Mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD (UHS-II) | Single SD UHS-I |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See Nikon D780 and Z50 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Z50 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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