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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580

Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51
Nikon D5000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580 Key Specs

Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Launched June 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D60
  • Replacement is Nikon D5100
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced May 2011
  • Superseded the Sony A100
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Nikon D5000 versus Sony A580, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the D5000 (12MP) and A580 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The D5000 was released 23 months prior to the A580 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the D5000 matches up versus the A580 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Sony A580

 D5000 A580 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Nikon D5000

 A580 D5000 
IntroducedMay 2011June 2009More recent by 23 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Sony A580

 D5000 A580 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D5000 comes with outside dimensions of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") having a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Sony A580 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D5000 versus Sony A580 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the D5000 vs the A580.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D5000 and A580 is 65 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements purely by checking out a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5000 and A580.

Clearly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Sony A580 to show more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older D5000 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5000
Portrait photography with Sony A580
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D5000
Street photography with Sony A580
66
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
75
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D5000
Sports photography with Sony A580
42
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (510 per charge)
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
great battery life (1,050 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5000 Travel photography details
Sony A580 Travel photography details
56
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery life (510 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
60
great battery life (1,050 shots)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5000
Landscape photography with Sony A580
52
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (510 per charge)
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (1,050 shots)
has double storage slots
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5000 Vlogging advice
Sony A580 Vlogging advice
52
display is selfie friendly
includes face detection autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic port
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5000 and Sony A580
 Nikon D5000Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D5000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-06-12 2011-05-26
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 590 grams (1.30 lb) 599 grams (1.32 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 80
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 13.3
DXO Low light rating 868 1121
Other
Battery life 510 images 1050 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9a NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Dual
Launch cost $630 $848