Sony A7R III vs Nikon D780

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Sony A7R III vs Nikon D780

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35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7R III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R III.
Compare Sony A7R III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7R III conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Nikon D780 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D780.

Succeeded by the Sony A7R IV
Compare A7R III vs A7R IV
Compare Sony A7R IV vs Nikon D780

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Differences

Sony A7R III advantages over Nikon D780

Less expensive
$1805 vs $2097
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
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
More pixels
42.4 vs 24.5 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Nikon D780 advantages over Sony A7R III

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 4.51 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

2260 vs 650 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
5 years vs 7 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
786k vs 360k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
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 9.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 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
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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Adorama
Read A7R III User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D780 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A7R III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 lens

All A7R III Deals

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Buy the Nikon D780

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm f/4 lens

All D780 Deals

Review Excerpt

Fantastic image quality; Improved dynamic range over its predecessor; Very good high ISO performance; Much improved real-world AF performance; Class-leading burst rates, even with RAW; Improved 5-axis in-body image stabilization; Better 4K video quality; 1080/120fps video; Dual card slots; Significantly better battery life.
Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash; Buffer clearing still slow despite UHS-II support.
Read our Sony A7R III Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon D780, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon D780 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R II

Sony A7R III

Sony A7R II

$2151
35mm

Touchscreen
High resolution composite

$2348
35mm

In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A7R III vs Sony A7R II

Nikon D780

Sony A7R II

$1830
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$2348
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D780 vs Sony A7R II

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A7R III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2151
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2099
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2099
35mm

NFC
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7R III

Pentax K-1 II

$2151
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
Built-in GPS

Compare Sony A7R 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 Sony A7R IV

Sony A7R III

Sony A7R IV

$2151
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3120
35mm

Fast startup
More pixels

Compare Sony A7R III vs Sony A7R IV

Nikon D780

Sony A7R IV

$1830
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3120
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D780 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7R III

Nikon Z7 II

$2151
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$2330
35mm

Top deck display
Newer

Compare Sony A7R III vs Nikon Z7 II

Nikon D780

Nikon Z7 II

$1830
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2330
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z7 II

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