Nikon D780 vs Sony A1

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D780 vs Sony A1

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.

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A1.
Compare Sony A1 image quality against competitors.

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D780 advantages over Sony A1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$2797 vs $6498*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 4.16 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 530 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A1 advantages over Nikon D780

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
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher max flash sync
1/400 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More viewfinder magnification
0.90x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
50.1 vs 24.5 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 12.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 12.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D780 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D780

Body Only

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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A1

Body Only

Review Excerpt

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony A1 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2097
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2499
35mm

NFC
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A1

Canon 5D Mark IV

$6498
35mm

Focus peaking
Slower slow-motion

$2499
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon D780

Nikon D850

$2097
35mm

Bigger pixels
On-sensor phase detect

$2664
35mm

More cross-type AF points
More pixels

Compare Nikon D780 vs Nikon D850

Sony A1

Nikon D850

$6498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon D850

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D780

Pentax K-1 II

$2097
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

Sony A1

Pentax K-1 II

$6498
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Canon R5

Nikon D780

Canon R5

$2097
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3549
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon R5

Sony A1

Canon R5

$6498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$3549
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Nikon D780

Nikon Z7 II

$2097
35mm

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

$2730
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Nikon D780 vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A1

Nikon Z7 II

$6498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$2730
35mm

Less expensive
Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon Z7 II

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