Sony a580 vs Nikon D5000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a580 and Nikon D5000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a580 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5000 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a580 were released 2010 and Nikon D5000 was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a580 2010
Nikon D5000 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a580 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5000 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a580 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D5000 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a580 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5000 has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a580 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Nikon D5000 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Sony a580 has a 31 % larger resolution than Nikon D5000. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a580 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5000. Sony a580 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D5000 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a580 100-12800
Nikon D5000 200-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a580 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5000 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5000 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a580
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5000

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a580 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5000 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a580 5
Nikon D5000 4

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a580 and Nikon D5000 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a580 weighs 599 gr (equal to 1.32 lb) which is 2% heavier than Nikon D5000 and its 590 gr (or 1.3 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a580 599 gr
1.32 lb
Nikon D5000 590 gr
1.3 lb

Sony a580 vs Nikon D5000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a580 and Nikon D5000, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
Name Sony a580 Nikon D5000
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
Release Year 2010 2009
Release Date 2010-08-24 2009-04-14
MSRP 799 USD 849 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 11
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 2,7”
Screen dots 921600 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
Frames per second 5 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 17 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony a580
Nikon D5000
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 1050 shots 510 shots
Width 137 mm 127 mm
Height 104 mm 104 mm
Depth 84 mm 80 mm
Weight 599 gram 590 gram