Upgrade Guide

Nikon Z5→Nikon Nikon D780

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

Z5
You own
Nikon
Z5
£999
2020
View on GearFrame →
→
Nikon D780
Upgrade to
Nikon
Nikon D780
£1999 (+£1,000)
2020
View on GearFrame →
⚖️
Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the Z5. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the Nikon D780
Unchanged or similar
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 Z5 Nikon D780
Portrait
7.7
6.7
-1.0
Street
6.1
5.4
-0.7
Travel
6.1
5.6
-0.5
Wedding & Events
7.3
7.3
—
Filmmaking
6.1
6.2
+0.1
Documentary
6.7
6.5
-0.2
Sports & Action
6.4
6.3
-0.1
Landscape
6.1
6.2
+0.1
Wildlife
6.8
6.2
-0.6
Casual
4.7
4.2
-0.5
Food
6.6
5.8
-0.8
Macro
6.4
5.4
-1.0
Architecture
6.0
5.9
-0.1
Astrophotography
6.4
6.7
+0.3
Full spec comparison
Spec Z5 Nikon D780
Price £999 £1,999
Released 2020 2020
Sensor 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS 24.3MP full-frame BSI CMOS
Resolution 24MP 25MP ↑
Video 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p 4K/30p, 10-bit N-Log via HDMI, 1080p/120p
Autofocus Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection 51-point DSLR phase-detect (viewfinder); on-sensor hybrid AF with eye detection (live view/video)
Stabilisation IBIS — up to 5 stops No stabilisation
Burst Rate 4.5fps 7fps ↑
Battery Life ~470 shots (CIPA) 2,260 shots (CIPA, viewfinder) ↓
Weight 590g (body only) 840g (with battery and card) ↓
Weather Sealed Yes Yes
Viewfinder EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification Optical pentaprism, 0.7x magnification, 100% coverage
Screen 3.2" tilting touchscreen Tilting touchscreen
Mount Nikon Z mount Nikon F-mount
Memory Cards Dual SD UHS-II slots Dual SD (UHS-II)
Compare side-by-side

See Z5 and Nikon D780 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

⚖️ Compare these cameras
Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Nikon D780 against your specific genres — not just specs.

Run the upgrade checker →
Other upgrades from the Z5
Related buying guides
Camera family history