Sony Alpha DSLR A580

alaTest has collected and analyzed 183 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers are impressed by the viewfinder and focus. The lens and low light performance also get good feedback. Comments about the shutter and color are different. There are some critical comments about the exposure and video.

image quality, low-light, lens, focus, viewfinder

video, exposure

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital SLR Cameras the Sony Alpha DSLR A580 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 93/100 = Excellent quality.

See all Sony Digital SLR Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 183 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (56% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (36% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (6% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (no reviews)
    (2% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Image quality
  Show positive (31%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
Low-light
  Show positive (32%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
Lens
  Show positive (13%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
Focus
  Show positive (30%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
Build quality
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (11%)(Show all)
Viewfinder
  Show positive (27%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)
Screen
  Show positive (30%)Show negative (9%)(Show all)
Shutter
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
Value for money
  Show positive (31%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
Design
  Show positive (20%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 91 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 91 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (117)

dpreview.com - SILVER AWARD

Expert review by:

Sony DSLR-A580 Review

 

The Sony DSLR-A580 is near-identical in terms of design and operation to its predecessor the DSLR-A550, and in terms of image quality very similar to its sister-model the SLT-A55. For this review we have therefore slightly shortened our usual review...

Good detail and color at lower sensitivities ; Consistently reliable metering and AF ; High ISO JPEG output usable up to ISO 12800 for smaller prints ; Low shadow noise levels at lower sensitivities ; Good dynamic range ; Good quality 1080p full-HD...

Quite aggressive noise reduction from ISO 1600 upwards ; Limited control over high ISO noise reduction in JPEG mode ('auto' or 'weak') ; Limited control in movie mode ; Occasionally unreliable white balance in low artificial light ; Limited...

The Sony DSLR-A580 is an excellent all-round performer but also offers a range of innovative features. It's a great alternative to more 'traditional' DSLRs and Sony's unique dual live view system makes it the ideal compromise for those who like the...

Read the full review

Expert review by:

Sony A580 Review- (Parts I and II Combined)

 

Sony announced no less than six new Alpha branded cameras in 2010, but only two of those cameras were actual traditional DSLRS. Of those two the Alpha A580 is the higher end model sporting a new 16.2 mp HD CMOS sensor and HD 1080p video capture. Just...

Read the full review

Expert review by:

Sony Alpha A580 DSLR Review (Part I)

 

Sony's Alpha A580 is a direct replacement and progressive evolution of the Alpha A550 introduced August of 2009. The A550 signaled the first of the 5 series DSLR's for Sony (generally the same class as the A100 model), and brought together Sony's Quick...

Read the full review
ADVERTISEMENT

Expert review by:

Review: Sony a580 DSLR camera

 

The Alpha 580 is a very impressive camera that's comfortable to shoot with, and well-designed. Supported by a robust collection of high-quality lenses, the camera is capable of delivering excellent image quality.

The camera’s 3-inch LCD screen is bright, clear, and beautiful, and the Alpha’s menu system is intuitive and easy-to-navigate. The LCD screen can tilt out and away from the camera, making for great flexibility when shooting overhead, or at waist level....

Read the full review

Expert review by:

Sony A580- ISO 25,600

 

Another little sneak peek from the upcoming A580 review. Multi Frame Noise Reduction has its benefits, one of them being for static subjects when you don't have a tripod. I recommend using the Auto NR setting for better results (more chroma reduction)....

Read the full review

Expert review by:

Sony DSLR-A580

 

Though the Sony A580 has impressive image quality, its true value is found in its clever use of multi-shot technology to dramatically reduce noise, expand dynamic range, or even create on-the-fly panoramas.

Excellent 16.2-megapixel sensor ; Competitive high ISO performance ; Very good dynamic range ; In-body image stabilization ; Stellar battery life ; Fast frame rates ; Speedy performance overall ; Autofocus in "Quick AF" Live View mode is as fast as (or...

Sweep Panorama needs improving ; Creaking in grip ; Phase-detection AF a bit hit and miss sometimes (could be limited to our test units) ; No AF fine-tuning ; Multi-Frame shooting can be quite noisy ; Only two Noise Reduction settings (Auto, Weak); no...

The 16.2-megapixel Sony Alpha A580 comes with many refinements that make it a far more usable camera than its predecessors, making it a more significant contender in the market for mid-range digital SLRs. Starting with its heft and improved controls,...

Read the full review

Consumer review by:

Best still camera in it's class

 

I guess what sealed MY A580 choice was the little fact that Dx0 labs rated it as the 11th best digital camera (in terms of sensor performance) in the world: http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Camera-Sensor/All-tested-sensors/Sony/Alpha-580 The next...

Sensor is best in the world under $1,500

Video needs manual focus - or just use a high F stop

Read the full review

Consumer review by:

Best still camera in it's class

 

I guess what sealed MY A580 choice was the little fact that Dx0 labs rated it as the 11th best digital camera (in terms of sensor performance) in the world: http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Camera-Sensor/All-tested-sensors/Sony/Alpha-580 The next...

Sensor is best in the world under $1,500

Video needs manual focus - or just use a high F stop

Read the full review

Consumer review by:

Best camera for its price

 

I think at the end of the day, the camera is nice to use and serves an enthusiast purpose. I have been using for around 3-4 months.

I think this is the best camera for this kind of price compared to any other competitors ; Great FPS ; Great Image quality ; Night twilight modes, portrait modes ; Focus check on Live View mode ; In camera HDR ; Good low light performance at higher ISO

I bumped at burning pixel issue - one of the pixels will never go 'off' on the live view mode alone. I had resolved the issue myself using the pixel mapping option that is to be done around once a year ; 18 - 55 kit lens - The lens doesn't turn smoothl

Read the full review

Consumer review by:

Best still camera in it's class

 

I guess what sealed MY A580 choice was the little fact that Dx0 labs rated it as the 11th best digital camera (in terms of sensor performance) in the world: http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Camera-Sensor/All-tested-sensors/Sony/Alpha-580

Sensor is best in the world under $1,500

Video needs manual focus - or just use a high F stop

Read the full review
1
2
3
4
5

Product Specifications

Configuration

Autofocus: Yes
Built-in Flash: Yes
Changeable Lens: Yes
Image Stabiliser:Optical Image Stabiliser
Integrated GPS Module: No
Touchscreen: No
View Finder Type:Optical / Electronic Viewfinder + LCD

Connectivity

Bluetooth: No
HDMI: Yes
HDMI Interface: Yes
PictBridge: No
WiFi Connectivity: No

General Features

3D: No
Bridge Camera: No
Chip Type:CMOS
Product Type:DSLR Camera
Sensor Size:23.5 x 15.6 mm
SLR / Compact:SLR Camera

Lens

Longest Shutter Speed in s:30
Shortest Shutter Speed in s:1/4000

Memory

Compact Flash Card: No
Memory Stick / Memory Stick Pro: No
Memory Stick Duo / Duo Pro: Yes
Memory Type:External
Micro Drive: No
Multimedia Card: No
SDXC Card: Yes
Secure Digital Card: Yes
Secure Digital High Capacity Card: Yes
XD Card: No

Power Supply

Battery Model:Sony NP-FM500H
Battery Type:Sony NP-FM500H

Recording

Aperture Priority: Yes
Face Detection Mode:Face + Smile Detection
Movie / Voice Recording:Movie + Voice
RAW Format: Yes
Serial Shot Mode: Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes
etilize
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT