Sony a580 vs Nikon D7000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a580 and Nikon D7000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a580 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D7000 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2010.

Camera Released
Sony a580 2010
Nikon D7000 2010

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 D7000 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 D7000 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 D7000 has 16,2 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 D7000 16,2 MP
16084992 pixels
4928 x 3264

Nikon D7000 has a 0 % larger resolution than Sony a580. 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

Nikon D7000 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a580. Nikon D7000 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a580 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a580 100-12800
Nikon D7000 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a580
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D7000

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 D7000 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a580 5
Nikon D7000 6

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 D7000 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.

Nikon D7000 weighs 780 gr (equal to 1.72 lb) which is 30% heavier than Sony a580 and its 599 gr (or 1.32 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a580 599 gr
1.32 lb
Nikon D7000 780 gr
1.72 lb

Sony a580 vs Nikon D7000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a580 and Nikon D7000, 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 D7000
Name Sony a580 Nikon D7000
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a580
Nikon D7000
Release Year 2010 2010
Release Date 2010-08-24 2010-09-15
MSRP 799 USD 1200 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a580
Nikon D7000
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a580
Nikon D7000
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 4928 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 2
Image
Sony a580
Nikon D7000
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 25600
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 D7000
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 39
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 D7000
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921600 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a580
Nikon D7000
Frames per second 5 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a580
Nikon D7000
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a580
Nikon D7000
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a580
Nikon D7000
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony a580
Nikon D7000
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1050 shots 1050 shots
Width 137 mm 132 mm
Height 104 mm 105 mm
Depth 84 mm 77 mm
Weight 599 gram 780 gram