Nikon D5500 vs Sony A580
71 Imaging
66 Features
85 Overall
73
64 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A580 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
- Launched January 2015
- Earlier Model is Nikon D5300
- Renewed by Nikon D5600
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Released May 2011
- Older Model is Sony A100
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A580 Overview
In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Nikon D5500 and Sony A580, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and A580 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (APS-C).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe D5500 was launched 3 years later than the A580 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the D5500 scores against the A580 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A580 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D5500 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D5500 Gallery and Sony A580 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Sony A580
D5500 | A580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2015 | May 2011 | Fresher by 45 months | |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen | |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
Screen resolution | 1037k | 922k | Crisper screen (+115k dot) | |
Selfie screen | Easy selfies | |||
Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Nikon D5500
A580 | D5500 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Sony A580
D5500 | A580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | More precise focusing |
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D5500 has exterior dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) while the Sony A580 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon D5500 and Sony A580 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the D5500 vs the A580.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D5500 and A580 is 71 and 64 respectively.
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The photograph here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D5500 and A580.
As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Nikon D5500 to give extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer D5500 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A580 Specifications
Nikon D5500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D5500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2015-01-06 | 2011-05-26 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed 4 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 39 | 15 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | 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 | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 420 grams (0.93 lb) | 599 grams (1.32 lb) |
Dimensions | 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 84 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 24.1 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.0 | 13.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 1438 | 1121 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 820 images | 1050 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL14,EN-EL14a | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Dual |
Pricing at launch | $700 | $848 |