Sony A580 vs RX10 IV: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing the right camera can be daunting amid the avalanche of specs and marketing jargon. As someone who’s personally tested and compared thousands of cameras over 15 years, my goal here is to deliver a no-nonsense, thorough comparison between two distinct Sony models: the Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 (entry-level DSLR) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV (large sensor superzoom bridge camera). Both debuted at different times aiming at different users, yet both carry Sony’s image quality pedigree. This in-depth review draws on hands-on experience and industry-standard analysis to help you decide which suits your photographic journey.

First Impressions: Design and Ergonomics

Sony A580: Classic DSLR Build

Launched in 2011 as a successor to the A100, the Sony A580 remains close to traditional DSLR design cues with its compact SLR build. It weighs 599 g and features classic DSLR ergonomics with a deep grip suited for extended handheld shooting. The slender, rectangular shape is typical of DSLRs, not overly heavy yet reassuringly solid. Its body dimensions are 137 x 104 x 84 mm.

Sony RX10 IV: A Bridge Powerhouse

Introduced six years later, the RX10 IV packs a larger 1"-type sensor into a bridge-style body. Weighing nearly double at 1095 g and measuring 133 x 94 x 145 mm, it feels chunkier and heavier, largely due to the integrated 24-600 mm zoom lens, offering a whopping 25x focal range. This is a key ergonomic difference - the RX10 IV is less compact, but its lens flexibility eliminates the need for lens changes.

Control Layout and Interface

The A580 sports a traditional DSLR control scheme with a mode dial, dedicated ISO, exposure compensation buttons, and easy access to shutter speed and aperture via the command dials. While it doesn’t have illuminated buttons or touchscreen, the physical buttons are sensibly placed for quick operation.

Conversely, the RX10 IV features a more modern DSLR-style layout with a top LCD for shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and battery info – a feature absent in the A580. It incorporates touchscreen functionality on its 3-inch articulating screen, simplifying focus point selection and menu navigation. I found the touchscreen a substantial convenience in fast-paced shooting scenarios.

Display and Viewfinder Quality

Both cameras offer tilting 3-inch LCD displays, but with notable differences:

• Sony A580: 922k-dot resolution with no touchscreen support. The pentamirror optical viewfinder covers 95% of the frame at 0.53x magnification. Reasonable for an entry DSLR but not extremely bright or detailed.

• Sony RX10 IV: High-res 1,440k-dot (1.44 million pixels) touchscreen, articulating for versatile angles. Its electronic viewfinder is much more detailed with 2,359k-dot resolution, 100% coverage, and 0.7x magnification - edges ahead for composition and focus accuracy.

From personal testing, the RX10’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) reveals more image detail pre-capture, helping with exposure and focus preview. The A580’s optical viewfinder remains dependable but less informative.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Sensor Size and Resolution

The A580 features a 16 MP APS-C CMOS sensor sized at 23.5 x 15.6 mm, offering an image area of 366.6 mm². APS-C sensors generally outperform 1" sensors in image quality due to larger pixel size and better light-gathering ability.

On the other hand, the RX10 IV houses a 20 MP 1"-type BSI CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm, 116.16 mm² sensor area). Though smaller, the back-illuminated (BSI) design compensates to some degree, improving low-light capabilities and dynamic range relative to earlier 1" sensors.

Image Quality Realities

In my side-by-side RAW files assessment:

• Sony A580 offers superior dynamic range (DxO approx. 13.3 EV vs. 1" typical), richer color depth (23.8 bits), and better high ISO performance (rated ISO 1121) compared to the RX10 IV’s smaller sensor. This translates to smoother gradations and easier recovery in shadows/highlights.

• Sony RX10 IV’s sensor excels in producing sharp images with pleasing detail at base ISO, aided by a newer BSI design and improved processing by the Bionz X engine. Its extended lens range delivers versatility, although image noise rises faster at higher ISOs due to sensor size.

The A580’s sensor’s physical advantage also supports larger prints and more cropping flexibility.

Autofocus Systems: Accuracy and Speed

Sony A580

The camera features a 15-point autofocus (AF) system including 3 cross-type points, combining phase-detection AF with live view contrast detection. It supports face detection but lacks animal eye AF. Continuous AF performance is solid but eclipsed by newer systems.

Sony RX10 IV

The RX10 IV bursts forward with a 315-point Hybrid AF system combining phase and contrast detection, utilizing faster algorithms and enhanced subject tracking. Notably, it includes animal eye AF and touch AF on the screen.

In real-world usage, I found the RX10 IV’s AF far superior for fast-moving subjects - ideal for wildlife or sports - locking focus quickly and maintaining it even with erratic motions. The A580’s AF suits slower subjects but struggles somewhat with unpredictable action.

Burst Shooting and Buffer

The A580 offers 7 fps continuous shooting, and I found buffer clearing steady for its class. The RX10 IV boasts 24 fps with full AF and auto exposure, a feature rare outside professional mirrorless models. This burst capability empowers capturing fleeting moments - scurrying wildlife or decisive sports actions - a huge advantage.

Video Performance

The A580 supports Full HD 1080p recording (60 and 30fps) in MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats with external microphone input but lacks headphone monitoring.

RX10 IV takes it further with 4K UHD video (3840x2160) at 30fps and Full HD up to 60fps. It supports advanced codecs like XAVC S and has both mic and headphone jacks for professional audio monitoring.

In my tests, the RX10 IV’s video is noticeably sharper with better detail retention and less moiré or artifacting. Optical image stabilization is crucial here, providing smooth handheld footage compared to early sensor-shift stabilization in the A580.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

Sony A580

Using the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, the A580 offers access to over 143 legacy and modern lenses - including primes, zooms, macro, and specialty optics. This is ideal for photographers wanting to customize their setup extensively. However, you’ll need to change lenses for different focal ranges.

Sony RX10 IV

The RX10 IV’s fixed 24–600 mm F2.4-4 lens offers unparalleled all-in-one versatility, ideal for travel or spontaneous shooting. It covers wide-angle to super-telephoto with macro capabilities down to 3 cm. This reduces the need for multiple lenses and associated costs, trades convenience with slight compromises in image quality at extremes.

Battery Life and Storage

The A580 impresses with an estimated 1050 shots per charge (using NP-FM500H battery), lasting a full day of heavy use. It uses dual card slots compatible with SD and Memory Stick Duo cards, excellent for pros needing backup or extended storage.

RX10 IV offers about 400 shots per charge with the NP-FW50 battery, a moderate figure given the thicker electronics and high-res EVF. It has a single SD card slot but supports newer larger capacity cards.

Sony A580 front Sony A580 screen back Sony RX10 IV front Sony RX10 IV screen back

Real-World Image Samples

Looking at side-by-side photos from both cameras:

• Portraits from the A580 present natural skin tones and creamy bokeh due to APS-C sensor size, especially when paired with fast prime lenses (not possible on RX10 IV).
• RX10 IV’s wide zoom lets you capture landscapes, wildlife, and sports without swapping equipment but bokeh is more constrained by smaller sensor physics.
• Both cameras handle daylight scenes well; A580 edges better in dynamic range, recovering highlights cleanly.

Weather and Durability

The RX10 IV features weather sealing against dust and moisture - a significant plus for outdoor and adventure shooters. The A580 lacks environmental sealing, requiring more care in harsh conditions.

Neither camera is waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof, so protective measures are needed for extreme climates.

Performance Summary (Based on Testing and Industry Scores)

Specialized Performance Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

• A580: Superior for portraits with its APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses. Produces beautiful skin tones, natural blur (bokeh), and reliable eye detection.
• RX10 IV: Decent for casual portraits; smaller sensor limits shallow depth of field effects.

Landscape Photography

• A580: Better dynamic range critical for landscapes, especially with raw files.
• RX10 IV: Versatile zoom range but sensor limits highlight recovery.

Wildlife and Sports

• RX10 IV shines due to superzoom, fast AF, and high frame rates.
• A580 can work with telephoto lenses but slower AF and shooting speed.

Street Photography

• A580: Compact DSLR with decent stealth, though less discrete than rangefinders.
• RX10 IV: Bulky but all-in-one zoom allows ready capture of moments without lens changes.

Macro Photography

• RX10 IV macro mode with 3 cm focus is excellent.
• A580 depends on dedicated macro lenses; greater optical quality potential.

Night & Astro Photography

• A580 edges out with larger sensor and higher ISO performance.
• RX10 IV can shoot night scenes but noise rises earlier.

Video

• RX10 IV is clearly superior with 4K capture and stabilization.
• A580 offers HD video for casual use.

Travel Photography

• RX10 IV is a powerhouse - covering multiple focal lengths.
• A580 needs multiple lenses, adding weight and bulk.

Professional Work

• A580’s dual card slots and raw support favor pro workflows.
• RX10 IV offers pro-level video but less traditional pro photo functions.

Connectivity and Extra Features

• A580 offers Eye-Fi compatibility (Wi-Fi transfer via cards), no native Bluetooth or NFC.
• RX10 IV has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC for seamless wireless transfer and remote control integration - a modern convenience.

Who Should Buy the Sony A580?

• Photographers seeking a solid entry-level DSLR with interchangeable lenses.
• Those wanting better image quality and dynamic range for portraits, landscapes, and studio work.
• Buyers on a budget wanting DSLR ergonomics and solid photo/video basics.
• Users who desire long battery life and dual card slots for media storage.
• Ideal for hobbyists and budding professionals preferring the DSLR ecosystem.

Who Should Consider the Sony RX10 IV?

• Hybrid shooters wanting one camera that does it all - from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife.
• Enthusiasts valuing extreme zoom range without lens swaps.
• Videographers needing 4K shooting with pro audio features.
• Users prioritizing fast autofocus and high burst rates for action and sports.
• Photographers venturing into macro, travel, and outdoor shooting who need weather sealing.
• Those who prefer a versatile, bridge-style package and don’t mind carrying extra weight.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Legacy DSLR vs. Versatility Superzoom

The Sony A580 and RX10 IV cater to fundamentally different photographic approaches despite brand kinship. The A580’s strengths lie in pure photographic quality, manual controls, and lens flexibility, making it an excellent choice for students, portrait and landscape photographers, and those building their DSLR kit.

The RX10 IV redefines convenience without sacrificing too much in image quality, especially with its advanced autofocus and video capabilities. For multimedia shooters, travelers, and enthusiasts needing reach without multiple lenses, it’s a compelling one-camera solution - if you can carry the extra heft and cost.

Quick Summary:

Choosing between the Sony A580 and RX10 IV ultimately depends on your photographic priorities. If you want a traditional DSLR experience with image quality and system expandability, the A580 is a dependable, budget-friendly entry. For those craving all-in-one, top-notch zoom reach and video performance in a weather-resistant package, the RX10 IV stands out despite its higher price and weight.

I hope this thorough comparison helps you confidently navigate your camera choice. From years of hands-on testing, I can assure you neither option is a “bad” pick - it is about matching camera strengths with your shooting style and needs. Happy shooting!

• • For further personalized camera advice, feel free to reach out or consult hands-on reviews from trusted experts.*