Sony A580 Review- (Parts I and II Combined)
Sony Alpha A580 Review- (Parts I and II Combined)
Sony DSLRA580 DSLR Camera Body Only (Black)
December 2010, Carl Garrard (*Update 1-29-2011*)
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A580 Review-Introduction
Sony announced no less than six new Alpha branded cameras in 2010, but only two of those cameras were actual traditional DSLRS. Of those two the Alpha A580 is the higher end model sporting a new 16.2 mp HD CMOS sensor and HD 1080p video capture. Just as well the A580 hosts many new improvements and additions compared to the DSLR it replaces in Sony's lineup, the Alpha A550. Sony's Alpha A580 retails at a lower initial cost than the A550 at introduction selling for $799.00 body only, and $899.00 w/the 18-55mm SAM kit lens in the US market. Although the NEX and SLT models have received most of the attention of the press this year, DSLR shooters shouldn't count out the A580 and A560 models or they could be looking over buried treasure.
Sony DSLRA580 DSLR Camera Body Only (Black)
A580 Review- Overview
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Update 1-29-2011: The Alpha A580 has the highest ranked image quality of any Alpha to date, here, and now other sites as well. I don't usually defer to other websites information in support of my conclusions, but in this particular case I thought it relevant. My determinations of image quality come from a photographers handling and using perspective, with much experience reviewing and printing image quality from cameras. I don't have a lab or use testing facilities at all.
Yet before DXO published their tested results I was just shy of saying that the A580 had the best image quality of any Alpha to date- I eluded to it, but didn't fully make that claim 100%. I wish I had, because apparently my more traditional methods of evaluating image quality compare exactly with high tech lab results such as the ones at DXO Labs. Check this out:
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en/Camera-Sensor/Sensor-rankings
*
The following A580 review is being completed in two parts, mainly because of the comprehensive and extensive nature of the changes made to the camera it replaces. Please enjoy part I of the A580 review, starting now.
Sony's Alpha A580 is a direct replacement and progressive evolution of the Alpha A550 introduced August of 2009. The A550 signaled the first of the 5 series DSLR's for Sony (generally the same class as the A100 model), and brought together Sony's Quick Auto Focus Live View (QAFLV) along with some new tools such Manual Focus Check Live view, Auto-HDR, 7fps Speed Priority Shooting, and a new 14.2mp CMOS Sensor. Both the A500 and A550 were considered evolutionary upgrades from the A300 and A350 DSLRS from the year before, bringing in a larger optical viewfinder and body, and some new tricks with improved resolution as well.
The Alpha A580 is really Sony's first DSLR that improves upon a single DSLR platform that isn't a complete redesign.
There are many features that remain the same as the A550 but as you will see, the A580 is a finely tuned evolved product which is a culmination of much feedback from the camera it replaces. New technology that was bound to make its way into the design anyways, but feedback was certainly considered. Technology such as 1080p AVCHD HD Video recording for example, puts the A580 on the map with competition, most of which have a level of HD video as a standard feature and have had for some time.
Where the A580 really excels against the competition is in its live view experience. Not only does it have phase detection auto focus Quick Auto Focus Live View (QAFLV), but a fully matured main sensor live view called Focus Check Live View (FCLV). Focus check live view differs from Manual Focus Check Live View in that now you can focus in two ways, phase detect and contrast detect autofocus (SAM and SSM lenses only on the latter however), whereas MFCLV you couldn't auto focus at all off the main sensor. So depending on your needs for live view, the Alpha A580 is prepared to deliver to your needs. No other DSLR (less the A560) can do live view as comprehensive in this respect.
This makes the A580 the most versatile live view DSLR in the world. Pretty cool, hah?
The Alpha A580 also gets Sony's new HD CMOS 16.2mp sensor which by all standards is one of the best sensors in the industry that comes out of Sony's semiconductor factory. Pentax and Nikon are both using a custom ordered version of this sensor and the test results from both of those cameras thus far show that this is probably one of the best APS-C sensors designed on the market thus far. At least Pentax and Nikon have been able to show off its full potential with each doing their own unique processing and noise reduction algorithms.
Besides all that the A580 has dual media card slots (one proprietary Sony, one Sandisk (SD), class leading battery life (rated to 1,050 shots on one charge), a tiltable 3" 920K LCD screen, 3, 5, and 7 (locked) frames per second image capture, in body focus motor (for legacy lenses), image stabilization built into the body, and a host of unique Sony-only scene modes and settings.
And if that weren't enough, the A580 capitalizes on the very decent platform of the A550 by refining the exterior handling of the camera by adding and moving buttons around to more appropriate and convenient places. It also adds a few traditional features commonly found on DSLRS that weren't included in any of Sony's designs (less the A100) for under $1,000.00 USD. Depth of Field Preview, 2 second time Mirror Lock Up, Release w/out Lens, all add to the enthusiast appeal of the A580.
I've made a comprehensive list of the changes on the A580 compared to the Alpha A550 that will follow in this review. This list is quite long which tells me that the entire Alpha team were concerned about improving this model, from engineers to sales staff. Indeed Sony listened to feedback as well wanted this model to compete price and features wise with tough cameras such as the Canon t2i (550D), Pentax Kr, and Nikon D5000. A quick comparison of all four cameras is next.
Sony DSLRA580 DSLR Camera Body Only (Black)
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pentax ovm
Is any modification necessary to use the pentax ovm? Does it cover the sensor for eyestart just as the sony ovm does? Really like the a580. I like it even better than my daughters canon 550d.
no modification necessary
but it will cover the eye start sensors, enough to disable them
you can move up the eyepiece magnifier a bit, but that's not a permanent solution, or one I'd recommend
I like the A580 more than the Canon T2i as well.
C
Pulled the trigger
on a A580 today.. battery is still charging so no shots yet.. What I do find with it is the small size is going to take some time to get familiar with and it is a little plastic feel (like the a700 better for its rugged feel), But what I am after is the higher iso quality I have been shooting concerts and the 60d has done a very nice job, so I am excited to get busy with this camera.. It will become a back up (daily shooter)to a A850 or 900 soon.. The Canon gear has started to move...:)
See YA
Kevin
Give it a bit of time Kevin
I'm with you on the build, overall I prefer metal cameras or what not. I found after a while the charms of the A580 tend to eclipse things like build quality and what not. I did some work on the grip to make it more stiff and got rid of the little creak I heard and that helped for me.
Once you try MFNR, Auto HDR etc, and get pretty good at using it, I think it'll grow on you. Also use that digital level and FCLV mode too. It's good after you get the A580 all set up to your needs and you get used to it a bit.
C
Carl I see what you mean..
I have played around (kit lens for now) and it has a little something to it that keeps you wanting to pick it up.. That is what I needed to get back too...:)
Thanks
Kevin
Yep
Same here. Initially I thought it was only going to be slightly better than the A500/550, but Sony worked out some major flaws in this model.
One little bugger that was sorted out from those cameras has to do with focus check live view. In the older MFCLV mode, after you made an exposure, you had to press the button to get back into that mode again- every time. Not now, it stays in FCLV mode till you either press the FCLV button or turn off the camera.
That helped alot for using the main sensor live view. As well as not having to press the AF button every time you ran into a warning screen to get out, you just half press the shutter release now.
I wish I had an A500/550 around just so I could write a full 100% detailed report on the differences in handling and features. I tried to do my best from memory but alas. :)
Have fun with it. I get my A560IR tomorrow and I can't wait.
C
very nice..
IR is very cool...... shall be waiting for some samples...
See YA!!
Kevin
question for Carl
Carl,
I must be missing something and forgive me if it's obvious. But I can't figure out why the lens moves down and back up again when one takes a photo in focus check live view, with the lens set on manual focus? This would seem unnecessary mirror slap.
For that matter, why does it keep moving up and down in speed priority mode, where focus is set with the first photo? The mirror slap issue above can be fixed with the 2 second mirror lockup, but in speed priority there is no fix.
I love the camera though. Much, much better for night photography than the a550.
Steven Bratman
darkdenver.net
high signal to noise ratio
The sensor in this camera has been widely praised for its low noise in higher ISO exposures. But this also translates into markedly reduced noise in low ISO long exposure photos. The clarity of night photos taken with this camera is simply stunning. I suppose mentioning my website would be shamelessly self-promoting ... but almost all the photos (and all the videos) there were taken with the A580. I had previously used an A500, and the improvement with the A580 is considerable.
Steven Bratman
darkdenver.net
Review of A580 was helpful
I appreciated the detailed review. It has caused me to hesitate in my plan to upgrade my A300 to an A850.
If the A580 had been produced before the A900/850, would you have been tempted to move up to one of those full-frame cameras?
Carl - Outstanding Review!
I don't believe I've ever read a more through review, nor one as positive in subject. I read it twice, word for word, then ordered the A580 body to replace my A350. I wanted to get away from the CCD sensor and you review of the new low noise CMOS sensor was just what I was looking for. It's quite astounding! With the A350 I was pretty much limited to ISO 400 but rarely shot at that level. I can shoot all day at ISO 800 without any perceptible noise, inside or out. I even shot at ISO 1600 outside in bright sun, at an auto track race, gaining about four f-stops meaning I could shoot up to 1/4000sec resulting in quality pictures. Gaining higher shutter speeds using a telephoto was my priority for buying the camera, but there's so much more!
Using Speed Priority @ 7fps proved to be an outstanding feature as long as I shot at about the same place each time. Exposure and focus are fixed with the first shot, but if light allows an f/stop of 11, there's plenty of DOF at distance. If not, I dropped down to Continuious Slow allowing the camera to make adjustments between shots - amazing! DRO Auto seems to work well but I have reservation about HDR Auto, clearly a setting that requires a tripod (3-shots) but shows promise. Really havent played around with it much.
I've found, like you, that the Panarama feature needs work, or I do? At this point I consider it pertty much a novility but until the snow/rain quits falling here in Colorado, I won't be able to give a good outside test.
Another outstanding feature of the A580 is Focus Check in Live View. I didn't quite grasp the significance until I bought a true macro lens this week. It's a Sigma f/2.8 50mm (75mm on the A580) and is capable of 1:1 with a minimum focus distance of 7.4 inches. At that distance, DOF can be measured in micro inches and the Focus Check allowed me to adjust the point-of-focus with amazing accuracy. I typically shoot with a Zeiss 16-80Z lens, not a macro, but this Sigma lens is the sharpest lens I've ever used in my life, and at half the cost of the Zeiss. Although it's aperature range is f/2.8-F/49, it's best used in the +/- f/11 range.
My only complaint with the A580 is the cost, $823 (body only) delivered from Sony. I was unable to find anyone online at a lesser price, and those who listed it were out-of-stock. I think the earthquake in Japan really screwed up their production, as well as a bunch of other things they produce in the automotive industry?
Again, thanks Carl for your review, it was dead-on!
-Bruce Miller
Colorado Springs, CO
Shutter life
Carl,
Would once again like to commend you for the job that you do reviewing all of these cameras. I currently own an A700 and am looking to replace it. I waited patiently for the A77/A65 and am a bit disappointed with the amount of noise from the cameras. My A700 has held up well with me putting many cycles on the shutter. I am wondering how well the A580 shutter can be expected to hold up in comparison. I know I have well over 150,000 cycles on the shutter over the past 2 years and probably closer to 200,000.
I have really been agonizing over the choice because I really wanted the A77 because of the durability, but since I shoot mostly jpegs and don't do a lot of enlargements, I believe that the A580 is going to give me better results. I want a nice crisp shot when viewed online. About 95% of the shots are wildlife photos taken in varied lighting conditions with the 70-400mm G series lens.
Thanks again for all you do.
A550 Live View focused frames per second.
I have the A550 and like it a lot. I am considering buying the A580 for better performance in night photography. But I would drop from 4fps in live view to 3fps. This is a considerable loss in speed. I am still proud that my A550 has the highest live view focused speed of all as much as I know. What should I do? Other than the lower light sensitivity of the A580 I do not envy anything else. I am quite happy with the Manual Focus Check mode as it is and I do not care about video capabilities. What do you suggest?