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 format, concentrating on
the differences to the A550 and A55 respectively. To learn everything about the
camera you are interested in, we recommend reading not only this review but
also the full reviews of the DSLR-A550 and SLT-A55.
The Sony DSLR-A580 was announced,
together with the SLT-A55, in August 2010. In Sony's slightly
convoluted DSLR line-up it is firmly located in the mid-level bracket,
competing with cameras such as the Canon EOS 600D/Rebel T3i and Nikon D5100.
Both the A580 and the A55 continue
Sony's tradition of designing cameras which are 'a bit different' from the
rest. This is especially true for the A55 which, with its translucent fixed
mirror and electronic viewfinder, can't even technically be called an SLR. The subject of our review though, the DSLR-A580, comes with a moving mirror and is, therefore, more of a 'traditional' SLR, but its second live view mode still sets
it apart from the more conventional competitors. Like its predecessor,
the DSLR-A550, the camera uses a small secondary sensor in the viewfinder to provide a live view with fast
phase-detection AF, but can also utilize the slower but higher-resolution
main-sensor live view system used by all other manufacturers, albeit only with
very slow contrast-detect AF.
The unusual live view concept is not
the only element that the new model has taken over from its predecessor. The
A580 body is, apart from some minor changes to the button layout and the colour
of the top plate (black vs grey), visually indistinguishable from the A550.
Inside the body shell, it is a different story. The A550 captures its images on
the same 16.2MP CMOS sensor that we were pretty impressed with in our SLT-A55 review. With the new sensor, the camera also gains a few new features, such as 1080p full-HD video, a
sweep-panorama mode and a multi-frame ISO 25600 mode, all of which are
available on the A-55 as well.
In essence, the DSLR-A580 offers an
A55 image pipeline in an A550 body which makes it, at least on paper, an ideal
solution for those who like the new Sony 16.2 MP sensor's image output but
prefer a more traditional DSLR design with an optical viewfinder over the A55's
EVF and translucent mirror.
The
two-mode live view
One of the most notable features of
the new camera is one that has been taken over from its predecessor - the
second live view mode. The A580 sports a small secondary sensor in the
viewfinder to provide a live view with fast phase-detection AF, but can also
utilize the slower but higher-resolution main-sensor live view system used by
all other manufacturers. Contrast-detect AF is now available in this latter the mode which as a consequence is now called 'Focus Check Live View' (as opposed
to MF Check Live View).
Sony
A580 - key specifications
- 16.2MP (effective) APS HD CMOS sensor
- Maximum ISO 12,800 (with a quasi-ISO 25,600
'Multi-frame NR' option)
- 15-point AF system with 3 cross-type AF points
- Contrast-detect AF in focus check live view mode
- Electronic level in LCD with pitch/roll indicator
- Switchable Memory Stick/SD card slots (only one in use
at any time)
- Up to 7fps continuous shooting rate
- 1080p AVCHD movie mode with continuous AF
- Hinged 3 inch LCD with 921k dots
- 3D sweep-panorama
- Socket for an external microphone
- Face-detection AF (focus via nearest phase-detection AF
point)
At the same time as the DSLR-A580
Sony also launched the sister model A560. The only difference between the two
models is the imaging sensor. The A560 captures its images on a 14.2 MP CMOS sensor
instead of the A580's 16.2 MP.
Foreword
/ notes
If you're new to digital photography
you may wish to read some of our Digital Photography Glossary before
diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / recommendation /
ratings are based on the opinion of the author, we recommend that you read the
entire review before making any decision. Images which can be viewed at a
larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of
them, click to display a larger image in a new window.
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