Sony ALPHA DSLR-A580 Pro Reviews

In an age of making minor adjustments to cameras between generations and repackaging the results as a new model Sony has made the A580 a perfect example of choice for choice's sake. The differences between this model and the A55 are as minor as the change in mirror type would allow, although it's understandable that a number of consumers wouldn't immediately trust the technology. The most important element of the Sony A580, the image quality, is impressively consistent if not quite as eye-catching as it should be. Results are of an equivalent level to the chasing pack and the camera performs reasonably well in low light, although above ISO 800 image noise becomes apparent. The burst rate, although impressive at 7fps, can be difficult to utilise in anything but the best lighting conditions and longest depth of field settings due to the inability of the camera's focus to quite match up to the burst rate ability The A580's LCD screen is excellent from a detail and colour point of view, making it extremely useful in combination with the tilt-angle hinge. Similarly the optical viewfinder is perfectly serviceable for framing images, although the substantial manner in which the two are switched between seems a little unnecessary. In all the Sony A580 ticks a number of boxes for the mid-range DSLR genre, but doesn't differentiate itself enough from the A55 or other similarly-specced models to make it anything more than another solid DSLR in a crowded market.

This may be a bulkier option than the A55 but with many of the same features for £100 less – including a top whack light sensitivity setting of ISO 12800 – those on a tighter budget or who prefer its more robust proportions, may consider it the better buy.

Overall, the Sony A580 is a very competent camera with excellent image quality, great dynamic range, and several special modes that allow you to capture scenes other SLRs couldn't. Add that to its already impressive Quick Live View mode, which exhibits faster live view autofocus than any of its competitors, and you have an able photographic tool, one that we're happy to give a Dave's Pick.

The Sony DSLR-A580 is an excellent all-round performer that gets all the important stuff - image quality, metering, focus - right most of the time. Whether you like its slightly live-view centered design and user interface is pretty much a question of taste and shooting style. It is not quite as radically innovative as its sister-model SLT-A55 with its translucent mirror and electronic viewfinder but it could be the ideal compromise for those who like the option of shooting in live view as a standard mode of operation, but can't or don't want to live without an optical viewfinder as an option. The A580 might not be for everyone but with its excellent image quality, solid performance and innovative feature set it can be a great alternative to more 'traditional' competitors and therefore easily earns itself a dpreview.com silver award.

Feature-packed and capable of high quality photos, but automatic exposures could be better.

The Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 is the only digital SLR that can deliver beautiful images and blazing fast autofocus whether you're framing your shots with the optical viewfinder, or with the LCD in Live View mode. Video-capture options are a bit limited, though.

Even so, its position in the Alpha DSLR line up places it just below Sony's full-frame Alpha 850, so it arrives with a healthy feature set and some interesting inclusions. Much is expected if it is to compete with recent APS-C offerings from the likes of Canon and Nikon. So, how does it do?

The Sony A580 is a more traditional alternative to the headline-grabbing A55 model, and an excellent DSLR camera in its own right. It doesn't offer the continuous auto-focus during video recording or the small size and light weight of the A55, but its optical viewfinder and more comfortable handling make it well worth a look.

The Alpha 580 is a very impressive camera that’s comfortable to shoot with, and well-designed. Supported by a robust collection of high-quality lenses, the camera is capable of delivering excellent image quality. What’s more, Sony is doing a good job of automating post-production processes like HDR and panoramic stitching directly in camera, turning these “high-end” features into usable, everyday consumer techniques. If you want video capability, the 580 has it, but as with all SLRs, you should be aware of its limitations before you commit to this camera for its video capability. First and foremost, the Alpha 580 is a great still camera.