Review based on a production Sony DSLR-A580 with firmware version 1.11
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 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 color of the top plate (black vs gray), 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 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 mode which as a consequence is now called 'Focus Check Live View' (as opposed to MF Check Live View).
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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 external microphone
- Face-detection AF (focus via nearest phase-detection AF point)
Sony DSLR Alpha A580 specifications
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| Price (with 18-55 mm kit lens) | • US: $899 • EU: €899 |
| Body material | Plastic |
| Sensor | • APS-C "Exmor" HD CMOS • 16.7 million total pixels • 16.2 million effective pixels • RGB (Primary) color filter array |
| Image sizes | 3:2 • 4912 x 3264 (L) • 3568 x 2368 (M) • 2448x1624 (S) 16:9 • 4592 x 2576 (L) • 3344 x 1872 (M) • 2288 x 1280 (S) |
| Image sizes (Video) | AVCHD: • 1920 x 1080, 59.94i (from 29.97fps sensor output) MPEG-4: • 1440 x 1080, 29.97p or 25p, depending on region • 640 x 480, 29.94 fps |
| Aspect ratios | • 3:2 • 16:9 • Variable (Sweep Panorama) |
| File formats | • RAW • RAW + JPEG • RAW + JPEG Fine • JPEG (EXIF 2.2) - Standard • JPEG (EXIF 2.2) - Fine |
| File formats (Movie) | • AVCHD Ver. 1.0 compliant Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 • MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 |
| Lenses | • Sony A-mount • Konica-Minolta AF mount |
| Focus modes | • Auto Focus (15-point phase-detection AF system) • Manual focus • Face Detection • AF Tracking |
| AF assist lamp | Yes, dedicated lamp |
| Image stabilization | Super SteadyShot INSIDE |
| Exposure modes | • Program AE • Aperture priority AE • Shutter priority AE • Manual • Auto • Auto + • High-speed mode (10-fps) • Sweep Panorama (2D/3D) • SCN (see below) • Flash off |
| Scene modes | • Portrait • Sports Action • Macro • Landscape • Sunset • Night view • Hand held Twilight • Night portrait |
| Scene modes (movie) | • Portrait • Sports Action • Macro • Landscape • Sunset • Night view • Hand held Twilight • Night portrait |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200 • ISO 6400 • ISO 12800 |
| ISO steps | 1/3 or 1.0 EV |
| Metering range | -2 to 17 EV |
| Metering modes | • 1200-zone multi-segment • Center-Weighted • Spot |
| AE Lock | • AEL/AFL button • With shutter release half-press |
| AE Bracketing | • 3 frames • 1/3 or 2/3 EV steps |
| Exposure compensation | • -2 to +2 EV • 1/3 EV steps |
| Shutter speed | • 60 -1/4000 sec. • Bulb • Flash X-sync 1/160 sec |
| White balance | • Auto • Daylight • Shade • Cloudy • Incandescent • Fluorescent • Flash • Kelvin temp (2500 - 9900K, 100K steps) |
| WB fine tuning | Yes (magenta/green bias) |
| Color space | • sRGB • Adobe RGB |
| Image parameters | • Creative Style (Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W) • Saturation (5 levels) • Contrast (5 levels) • Saturation (5 levels) • Sharpness (5 levels) |
| Continuous shooting | • Up to 7 fps in Speed Priority mode (AF/AE fixed at first frame) • Up to 5 fps with optical viewfinder • Up to 3 fps in Quick AF Live View mode |
| Self-timer | • 2 sec • 10 sec |
| Flash | • Built-in pop-up flash (manual release) • Metering: ADI, Pre-flash TTL, Manual flash control • Guide number 12 (ISO 100/m) • Angle of coverage 18 mm (35 mm equiv.) |
| Flash X-sync speed | 1/160 sec |
| External flash | • Hot shoe (Sony/Minolta style) |
| Viewfinder | • Eye-level fixed optical glass pentamirror • Spherical Acute Matte focusing screen • Magnification approx. 0.80x • 95% frame coverage |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0" TFT LCD monitor • Angle Adjustment: Up/Down by 90 degrees • Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD • 921,600 dots • Approx 100% frame coverage • Auto / Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2) / Sunny Weather |
| Playback functions | • Single (with or without shooting information • RGB histogram & highlight/shadow warning) • 6/12-frame index view • Enlarged display mode (L: 11.8x, M: 8.8x, S: 6x) • Image orientation (On/Off selectable) • Slideshow • Panorama scrolling • Auto Review (10/5/2 sec Off selectable) • Folder selectable (still image) • Slow-forward (movie) • fast-forward/fast-rewind (movie) |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 (High Speed) • HDMI type C • external microphone • remote terminal • DC-IN |
| Print compliance | • Exif Print • Print Image Matching III • DPOF setting |
| Storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MemoryStick Pro Duo |
| Power | • NP-FM50H0 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery • Supplied charger / AC adapter (sold separately) |
| Dimensions | 137 x 104 x 84 mm (5.5 x 4.2 x 3.9 in) |
| Weight (camera body) | No battery: 599 g (1.5lb) |
Conclusion - Pros
- 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 video output
- 7 fps continuous shooting
- Good handling, decent sized comfortable grip
- Multi-frame noise-reduction useful for static subjects
- HDR and sweep panorama modes are fun to use and produce attractive results
- External microphone connector
- Useful digital level gauge (but only available in Focus Check LV mode)
- Two distinct live view modes for either speed or precision
- Very usable manual focus mode (including up to 15x image magnification) in Focus Check LV
- Tilt-screen useful for overhead and video shooting
- Comprehensive bundled software package
Conclusion - Cons
- 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 customization (compared to peers)
- No program shift
- Face detection AF works only with faces that are close to an AF-sensor in the frame
- Protruding LCD screen not ideal for photographers with glasses
- Awkward to navigate between stills and movie playback modes
- LCD unusually prone to finger prints and smearing (reducing visibility in very bright light)
Overall conclusion
From a price and specification point of view the Sony DSLR-A580 competes directly with other mid-level cameras such as its sister camera SLT-A55, the Canon EOS 600D/Rebel T3i or the Nikon D5100. In terms of image quality there is not an awful lot between these cameras (three of them even use the same sensor platform) but while the more established rivals (at least in the DSLR arena) stick to their tried and tested DSLR formulas, Sony is a little more adventurous and manages to differentiate itself with some unique design ideas such as the SLT-A55's fixed translucent mirror or the A580's dual live view modes.
The A580 uses a small secondary sensor in the viewfinder to provide 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. This combination should get the A580 a top-spot on your camera shortlist if you are planning to undertake a large proportion of your shooting in live-view. The fact that the A580 has been designed around this mode also means that it works pretty well in video mode, despite a lack of manual controls. On the other hand, if you still regard live view as an unnecessary gimmick that's only being used by 'compact-camera-upgraders' then one of the more 'traditional' designs might be a better option.
No matter whether you prefer framing your images through an optical viewfinder or on a LCD-screen the A580 offers a range of cool features that are genuinely useful and fun to use at the same time. The sweep panorama and HDR modes are a great alternative to manual stitching and blending if you don't need the best possible image quality, and work well even without a tripod. The multi-frame noise reduction can still get you a usable shot in extremely low light, at least with static subjects.
All in all the Sony DSLR-A580 offers a lot of camera for your buck. Traditionalists might feel intimidated by some of the more innovative aspects of the camera's design but photographers who shoot a lot in live view mode (but don't like the SLT-A55's electronic viewfinder) or enjoy playing with slightly gimmicky features should have a closer look at the Sony.
Image Quality
The DSLR-A580's imaging pipeline is near identical to the translucent mirror model SLT-A55. It appears Sony has only made minor modifications to the sensor and processing and in practice the output of both cameras is therefore pretty much indistinguishable. This is not a bad thing at all, as we were quite impressed with the A55's image quality in our review.The A580 follows right in the SLT's footsteps and produces good output across the ISO range. Out-of-camera JPEGs show natural colors and detail, only low-contrast areas can sometimes look a little 'mushy' at a 100% magnification. While we were working on this review we shot approximately 1500 sample images in all sorts of conditions and never had to worry about the multi-segment metering or the 15-point AF system not doing their job. Only the Auto White Balance function was occasionally fooled by low artificial light, producing strong yellow/brown color casts. In those situations we would recommend to use one of the white balance presets or shoot RAW.
The latter will not only give you additional control over white balance and a range of other shooting parameters such as noise reduction or sharpening but also squeeze a small amount of additional low-contrast detail out of the A580's .ARW-files. Thanks to this new sensor generation producing very low levels of shadow noise at low ISOs it also gives you the option to alter the tone curve and only introduce minimal amounts of noise to the shadow areas.
The A580's high ISO performance is among the best APS-C cameras. Up to ISO 1600 noise is not much of an issue and, while at the higher settings noise and detail smearing get visibly more intrusive the output is still good enough for at least the family album or web use, even at ISO 12800. That said noise reduction on the A580 is a little more heavy-handed than on some of the competitors. If you'd prefer a more subtle approach shooting RAW and applying your own noise reduction cocktail is your best bet. The A580 also has a very good dynamic range in JPEG mode which means that, if you get the exposure halfway right, highlight clipping is not a problem in all but the most contrasty scenes.
Handling
While the A580's imaging pipeline is being borrowed from the SLT-A55 the ergonomics and handling remain almost unchanged from the predecessor DSLR-A550. The inclusion of a video mode on the A580 required a video button and the ISO and drive mode buttons on the top plate have been moved closer to the shutter button but other than that there are no notable changes to the control layout. Sadly, this ergonomic similarity extends to the lack of program shift. The A580 isn't as customizable as we'd like, either and can't compete against the likes of the Nikon D7000, for example, in this respect. Fortunately though, unlike the A550, Sony has at least provided the A580 with a depth of field preview button and mirror-lock-up (automatically engaged when using the self-timer.The A580 feels comfortably weighty in your hands, the grip is of decent size and the rubberized surfaces feel quite pleasant. There's no reason to complain about the A580's ergonomics when shooting with the camera 'traditional style' using the optical viewfinder (although the protruding edge of the LCD screen can make it a little difficult for photographers with glasses to get the eye close enough to the viewfinder) but the camera really shines when being used in live view mode.
Once you've worked your way through the manual and fully understood the difference between the two live view systems available on the camera - standard live view for quick focusing and operation, focus check LV for focus and framing critical applications such as macro photography - it's totally feasible to use the A580 exclusively as a live view camera and only use the viewfinder in emergencies, such as in very bright light (the rear screen of the camera is a little prone to fingerprint smearing and reflections). There are still a few inconsistencies between the two modes but nevertheless the A580 is the camera of choice if you're looking for a DSLR to use in live view mode.
The Final Word
The Sony DSLR-A580 is an excellent all-round performer that gets all the important stuff - image quality, metering, focus - right most of the time. Whether you like its slightly live-view centered design and user interface is pretty much a question of taste and shooting style.
It is not quite as radically innovative as its sister-model SLT-A55 with its translucent mirror and electronic viewfinder but it could be the ideal compromise for those who like the option of shooting in live view as a standard mode of operation, but can't or don't want to live without an optical viewfinder as an option.
The A580 might not be for everyone but with its excellent image quality, solid performance and innovative feature set it can be a great alternative to more 'traditional' competitors and therefore easily earns itself a dpreview.com silver award.
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Build quality Ergonomics & handling Features Metering & focus accuracy Image quality (raw) Image quality (jpeg) Low light / high ISO performance Viewfinder / screen rating Performance Movie / video mode Value | Poor Excellent | |||
Good for | live view users, low light shooters, gadget lovers | |||
Not so good for | traditionalists, photographers who only use the optical viewfinder for framing | |||
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