Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 (Body Only) Reviews: Digital SLR Camera
This digital camera is a good all rounder.
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Some customer reviews of Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 (Body Only)
Most helpful reviewsColin, York Keen amateur
- Good points:
- Very simple to use in both auto or manual settings.
- Bad points:
- I am having trouble converting the raw pictures so that I can manipulate them as the "image data converter SR" does not recognize the files. This means that i have to shoot in JPEG to allow any work on the images.
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Confirmed purchase: 23 May 2011
Jon, Coventry Experienced amateur
- Good points:
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High Definition Video recording
SD card and Memory Stick Pro Card
Panorama capture
Live View - very useful - Bad points:
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Image noise at and above ISO 3200 - almost intolerable
High Definition video not as sharp as dedicated HD camera (comparison with XH-A1, HV30 (Canon) )
Sensor cleaning mechanism not fantastic, sensor is still susceptible to attracting dust despite anti dust coating.
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Confirmed purchase: 14 Jun 2011
Laurence, Manchester Experienced amateur
- Good points:
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Image quality is fantastic. There's very little noise at high ISOs: my old camera (Sony a330) would be noisy from 400 upwards, but this is reasonable up to 3200 and the multi-frame noise reduction means that 6400 and even 12800 are ok. The noise tends to be quite a fine grain too, which is less distracting.
Focus-check live view is a great feature if you ever use old manual focus lenses. Modern viewfinders aren't designed for manual focus, so this really helps by letting you zoom in on the actual sensor output.
Auto HDR is also a useful feature, although I can't say I've used it much yet. Build quality, battery life and ergonomics are all very good too. - Bad points:
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Quite hard to find. It's unfortunate Sony seem to have stopped selling these cameras (in the UK at least), and they're rare on the second hand market.
Mine also had a back-focusing problem (it would focus slightly behind the point it claimed was in focus). However I was able to fix that easily after looking on the internet. Basically you take a label off the bottom of the body and turn three allen sockets an equal amount. It's perfect now and only took me about 10 minues to fix, so I've only marked build quality down by 1.
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Confirmed purchase: 10 Jan 2012
robin, London Experienced amateur
- Good points:
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As an avid Minolta Film Camera Photographer since 1970 I found the Sony DSLR A580 provided an easy transition from 35mm film to 16.5Mpx Quality Creative Digital Photography.
Having now used a number of Digital Cameras including compact Canon, Panasonic and Casio, and larger format Nikon I found Sony to out-perform all my previous cameras by providing Bright Balanced Easy to View Pictures. - Bad points:
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Due to conventional build the A580 camera is much heavier than expected. Also it fails any continuity within the Sony SLR range i.e. charger, batteries and memory card usage are different.
Sony discontinued theAlpa DSLR A580 prematurely before its development had been completed and relaced by the over-featured Alpha A55V.
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Confirmed purchase: 07 Feb 2013
przemek, london Professional photographer
- Good points:
- great camera , excellent pic quality easy in use , good night shots
- Bad points:
- no AF in video mode
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Confirmed purchase: 05 Jun 2011
Richard, Forest of Dean Experienced amateur
- Good points:
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The best yet from the manufacturers, I have used all the older models this one is lightyears in advance.
If you want a DSLR rather than the A-55 DSLT (also very good)this is the one you shold go for.
Shoot ISO 1600 and 4000th sec at f8 with a modest 70-300mm sigma/tamron lens and take shots of a falcon in a stoop, and the results will blow you away, I could not even do that with a Canon 7D, I tried! - Bad points:
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They say that this model is the last of the Optical viewfinders, I hope not.
Other than that, you won't be dragging this camera off me, I have 2 of them.
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Confirmed purchase: 01 Jun 2011
Product Features
| Camera Type | SLR |
|---|---|
| Resolution (Megapixels) | 16.2 |
| Screen size (Inches) | 3 |
| Type of image stabiliser | Optical Image Stabiliser |
| Touchscreen | No |
| 3D | No |
| Colour | Black |
| Media format | Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo |
| Media format | SDXC Card |
| Media format | Memory Stick PRO Duo |
| Media format | SD Card |
| Media format | SDHC Card |
| PictBridge | No |
| Macro Mode | No |
| Video recorder | Yes |
| Manual Focus | Yes |
| Timer | Yes |
| Weight (g) | 599 |
| Flash | Yes |
| Body Only | Yes |
| WiFi | No |
| Shortest shutter speed (Fractions of a second) | 1/4000 |
| Longest shutter speed (Fractions of a second) | 1/30 |
| Waterproof | No |
| Viewfinder | Yes |
| USB port | Yes |
| Dimensions (mm) | 137x104x84 |
| RAW Format | Yes |
| GPS Receiver | No |
| Resolution (Pixels) | 4912x3264 |
| Release date | 40452 |
| Height in mm | 10.4 |
| Depth in mm | 8.4 |
| Serial Shot Mode | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Changeable Lens | Yes |
Also known as: Sony DSLR-A580 Body Only, Sony Alpha A580 Body Only
Digital Cameras Buyers' GuideManufacturer's Description
Stunning Full HD video and still images
Step up to new levels of DSLR refinement and performance. Enjoy all the freedom of Quick AF Live View shooting plus speedy responses, generous creative options and extremely high quality, low noise Full HD video and still images
It’s all in the detail
The high-resolution CMOS sensor assures detail-packed pictures with excellent contrast and gorgeous colours. Exmor technology cuts noise while signals are converted to digital form. The result? Flawlessly beautiful images.
Incredible shooting reactions
*Capture fast-moving action or the changing expression of a portrait subject with a continuous burst of images. Speed Priority mode shoots at a lightning-fast 7 frames per second.
Look closely: you’ve never seen anything like it
Don’t miss those vital details. The Xtra Fine LCD screen gives you an incredible view of all your shots, with superb colour reproduction and contrast. It’s ideal for checking correct focus and exposure when you’re reviewing pictures after shooting.
Great pictures from any angle
The LCD screen tilts up or down for comfortable viewing in different shooting positions. It’s really useful if you’re not holding the camera close to your eye: for example of you’re shooting above a crowd or crouching down for an interesting viewpoint.
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Paul, Professional photographer
Score 10.0/10Confirmed purchase: 24 Jun 2011