Sony Alpha A580
Sony Alpha A580
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Hey! You should know that this product has been discontinued. Here are our current recommended cameras in the Consumer dSLR category.
Sony Alpha A580
Editor's Review
The A580 is a mid-range consumer dSLR with a handful of intriguing features, including 15-point autofocus, articulating LCD, and 1080p HD video. It was released alongside Sony’s headline-grabbing A55 SLT and may be the last conventional dSLR Sony produces. Although larger than the A55, the A580 has better handling and a true optical viewfinder. If you dislike the A55’s electronic viewfinder but like the Sony Alpha system, this is your next best option, and it even has some en vogue features like iSweep panorama, 3D panorama, and HDR.
The A580 also manages to churn out an impressive 7fps burst mode, quite good for a mid-range traditional dSLR. Noise performance is actually slightly better than the A55 and comparable to the competition, although JPEGs are on the smeary side. Video is full 1080p but is crippled by a lack of autofocus. While a solid choice for enthusiasts, the A55 is the Sony Alpha to beat at this price point. In the grander scheme of mid-range dSLRs, we prefer a number of other models over this one, notably the Pentax K-r. It's not a bad camera; we just think that there are better options out there, all tings considered.
Specifications
- 16.7 megapixels
- EXMOR CMOS sensor
- In-body optical image stabilization
- 3-inch articulating LCD
- 7fps burst shooting
- 15-point phase-detection autofocus
- ISO 100-12,800 (25,600 extended)
- 1080p HD video mode (AVCHD/Motion JPEG)
- JPEG + RAW formats
- Sony A-mount, Konica-Minolta AF-mount
- Captures to SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo media cards
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Release Date: Jan 15, 2011
Shop for A580 Accessories
Sony Alpha A580 Comments & Questions (write your own!)
DeeLee (03/27/2011)
I am looking at both the Sony A580 and A55, I've been told the A580 is the best camera to use for entry level and image quality.
I see you give the A55 great reviews and from other related sites also give the A55 good reviews.
I want to to start taking photography seriously but am stump on which one to choose. I was looking at the Canon T3i, that could be a option.
Is there any anything I should also look into. I am looking to take more, landscape, nature, landmarks, and everyday photographs.
reply to this comment
I see you give the A55 great reviews and from other related sites also give the A55 good reviews.
I want to to start taking photography seriously but am stump on which one to choose. I was looking at the Canon T3i, that could be a option.
Is there any anything I should also look into. I am looking to take more, landscape, nature, landmarks, and everyday photographs.
Liam McCabe (03/28/2011)
I've heard good things about the A580 as well, don't know if I've heard that it's the best overall entry level dSLR, but definitely that it's a solid camera.
But if it were between just the A580 and A55, I'd suggest the A55 in a heartbeat. Much faster, smaller, very cool interface and in camera multi-shot blending techniques...great all around.
But, speed might not be what you're looking for, and it doesn't have an optical viewfinder -- though most people don't seem to mind.
Canon T3i seems all nice and fine, especially if you're sold on the tilt-and-swivel screen. But I'm not sure that it's quite worth the money, all things considered. Try looking into a T2i.
One more to consider: Pentax K-r. It's a more obscure brand, sure, but the images are excellent. A little bit funky to use, but still very good.
Imaging-Resoure.com has a great tool called the comparometer, where you can compare shots taken by different cameras -- head over there and compare between the cameras, see if that helps any. But the short answer to your original question, the A55 is awesome. Hope this helps, good luck.
reply to this comment
But if it were between just the A580 and A55, I'd suggest the A55 in a heartbeat. Much faster, smaller, very cool interface and in camera multi-shot blending techniques...great all around.
But, speed might not be what you're looking for, and it doesn't have an optical viewfinder -- though most people don't seem to mind.
Canon T3i seems all nice and fine, especially if you're sold on the tilt-and-swivel screen. But I'm not sure that it's quite worth the money, all things considered. Try looking into a T2i.
One more to consider: Pentax K-r. It's a more obscure brand, sure, but the images are excellent. A little bit funky to use, but still very good.
Imaging-Resoure.com has a great tool called the comparometer, where you can compare shots taken by different cameras -- head over there and compare between the cameras, see if that helps any. But the short answer to your original question, the A55 is awesome. Hope this helps, good luck.
