Cameras


Nikon Announces D780 Full-Frame DSLR, P950 CoolPix and New Telephotos

January 6, 2020

By David Alexander Willis

“It feels like a D750 but looks like a D850,” Nikon explained during a pre-briefing on the new new full-frame $2,299 Nikon D780 DSLR.

While nearly every release in the last year has addressed the mirrorless Z Mount of cameras and lenses, Nikon is “showing their commitment” to the Nikkor F Mount and the more than 110-million lenses available on the market with their latest release, the Nikon D780 DSLR.

Building on the similar Nikon D750, the Nikon D780 removes the internal flash. Instead, they’ve added new internal processing and a completely new 273-point phase-detection autofocusing system for video. This will cover more than 90 percent of the Live View screen. (Video is captured from Live View streams.)

Shutter sync has been increased to 1/8000th of a second in the D780. The Bulb settings have also been expanded from 1/30th of a second to a total 900 seconds, or 15 minutes.

There are 10 special effects modes. For the first time ever in a Nikon camera, six of them can capture unprocessed RAW stills and video simultaneously.

With a Movie Mode that can capture a 25-minute sequence, there are also improved time-lapse options. There is new internal processing of still images for an immediate time-lapse sequence straight from camera.

Previously, external software options were required. Similarly, multiple exposure sequences can be moved around and matched after the exposures have been taken.

It also has the internal focus-stacking and negative digitaizer modes (for black-and-white and color film scanning) mode as debuted in the Nikon D850. 

The same 24.5-megapixel BSI backside-illumination sensor has a native ISO that has been increased from 100-12,600 to 100-51,200 with two additional expandable stops.

Though the D780 uses the same D750 battery, energy pullout is more conservative, giving 2,260 shots on a single charge. 7fps bursting is the same as found in the Nikon D5.

Using Silent Mode in Live View, full-resolution continuous capture is than available at 12fps. They also have a bursting mode for 120fps with 2-megapixel shots. 

The body is very similar to the D750 aside from the removal of the internal flash and the addition of an additional SD slot and USB-C plug for charging, image transfer and firmware.

Teased last September 4th, Nikon confirmed during our meeting at PhotoPlus that the $9,499 120-300mm F/2.8 NIKKOR “would be available in time for the Olympics” this summer in Tokyo.

Now planned for February, there are 25 lens elements in 19 different groupings and specialized glass construction with an ED lens. The 120-300mm F/2.8 has four stops of VR Vibration Reduction.

For the first time in a Nikon Lens, the SR Shortwave Reduction element will address chromatic aberrations found below the blue spectrum to address problems like purple fringing. It has 9 blade aperture and a memory recall function for favored focus and depth of field.

Nikon’s $2,599 NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens is their second model in the promised “trinity” of F/2.8 zooms that will cover the mirrorless full-frame Z Mount cameras.. The 14-24mm F/2.8 will complete the trifecta.

Combining internal lens stabilizations with in-camera body stabilization, the lens can provide up to five stops of shake reduction. Nikon says that is their best ever.

Two AF drives have been combined for a minimum focus within 1-1/2 feet on one end of the zoom range and a meter at the other.

Updating their most popular non-interchangeable camera from the P900, the $799 Nikon CoolPix P950 has the same 16-megapixel 1/2.3” sensor and 83x zoom lens with 24-2000mm equivalence.

Adding 4K in UHD resolution, larger EVF, new hot shoe and RAW capture, there is also a new audio jack for monitoring recorded sound.

With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, an application will give remote access and remote controls for camera functions, including control over the long zoom distance.

The new hot shoe will accommodate and anchor accessories like microphones and audio solutions. It has in-camera VR Vibration Compensation stabilization for up to 5.5 stops of shake reduction.

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