• 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 102,400

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Differences

Nikon D780 advantages over Sony A7S III

  • Less expensive
    $2097 vs $3198*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher-res screen
    786k vs 480k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    24.5 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony A7S III advantages over Nikon D780

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.40 vs 5.94 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Lighter weight
    614g vs 840g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 204800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Built-in GPS
Sony A7S III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon D780
Nikon D850
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • More pixels
Sony A7S III
Nikon D850
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D780
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
Sony A7S III
Pentax K-1 II
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony A9 II

Nikon D780
Sony A9 II
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC
Sony A7S III
Sony A9 II
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More pixels

Compared to Canon R6

Nikon D780
Canon R6
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • Higher-res screen
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A7S III
Canon R6
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
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