• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony A7 III advantages over Nikon D780

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder

Nikon D780 advantages over Sony A7 III

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2260 vs 710 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher-res screen
    786k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 9.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 9.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7 III
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-70mm Lens
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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D780
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-120mm f/4 lens
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Review Excerpt

  • New 24MP sensor offers excellent image quality; Outstanding high ISO performance and dynamic range; Improved JPEG colors; Improved build quality; Fast autofocus; Excellent 4K video; Very good battery life.

  • Buffer clearing can be slow even with fast UHS-II cards; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No losslessly compressed RAW option; Dedicated battery charger not included; Menus are still confusing; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Sony A7 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III
Sony A7 II
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A7 III vs Sony A7 II

Nikon D780
Sony A7 II
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D780 vs Sony A7 II

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A7 III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7 III
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A7 III vs 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

Compare Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III
Nikon Z6
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6

Nikon D780
Nikon Z6
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Sony A7 III
Nikon Z6 II
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Longer video battery life
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • Newer

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6 II

Nikon D780
Nikon Z6 II
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z6 II

Compare Other Cameras?