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Sony A580 vs Sony A55

Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony A580 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced May 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony A100
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony A57
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Sony A580 vs Sony A55 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Sony A580 versus Sony A55, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both of them are sold by Sony. The image resolution of the A580 (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A580 was released 10 months later than the A55 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the A580 grades against the A55 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Sony A55

 A580 A55 
ReleasedMay 2011August 2010Fresher by 10 months
Screen resolution922k921kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sony A580

 A55 A580 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony A580 and Sony A55

 A580 A55 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Sony A580 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Sony A580 features physical measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A580 versus Sony A55 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the A580 vs the A55.

Sony A580 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A580 and A55 is 64 and 67 respectively.

Sony A580 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sony A580 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A580 and A55.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you might want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The younger A580 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A580 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony A580 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A580 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A580 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
73
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A580
Street photography with Sony A55
75
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
77
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A580 Sports photography advice
Sony A55 Sports photography advice
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
good battery power (1,050 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (380 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony A580 Travel photography info
Sony A55 Travel photography info
60
good battery power (1,050 shots)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
62
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A580 Landscape photography factors
Sony A55 Landscape photography factors
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (1,050 shots)
2 card slots
no Timelapse function
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
bad battery power (380 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A580 Vlogging details
Sony A55 Vlogging details
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
78
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic port
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Sony A580 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A580 and Sony A55
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 Sony SLT-A55
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-05-26 2010-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4912 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 15 15
Cross focus points 3 3
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 143 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 922k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 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 None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 599g (1.32 lbs) 500g (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 73
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 12.4
DXO Low light score 1121 816
Other
Battery life 1050 shots 380 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two Single
Cost at launch $848 $800