Sony a580 vs Nikon Z8

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a580 and Nikon Z8. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a580 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z8 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a580 were released 2010 and Nikon Z8 was released 2023. That is a 13 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a580 2010
Nikon Z8 2023

Type of camera

Sony a580 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z8 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a580 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z8 has a "Nikon FX"-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 Z8 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 Z8 has 46 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 Z8 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z8 has a 183 % 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 Z8 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a580. Nikon Z8 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Sony a580 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a580 100-12800
Nikon Z8 32-102400

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 Z8

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 Z8 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a580 5
Nikon Z8 30

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 Z8 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 Z8 weighs 910 gr (equal to 2.01 lb) which is 52% heavier than Sony a580 and its 599 gr (or 1.32 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a580 599 gr
1.32 lb
Nikon Z8 910 gr
2.01 lb

Sony a580 vs Nikon Z8 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a580 and Nikon Z8, 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 Z8
Name Sony a580 Nikon Z8
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
Release Year 2010 2023
Release Date 2010-08-24 2023-05-10
MSRP 799 USD 3999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS Stacked CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 46 MP
Image Processor Bionz
Image
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
ISO Range 100 - 12800 32 - 102400
White Balance Presets 6 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor-shift (Synchro VR with select lenses))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 493
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921600 2088960
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.8×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3686400
Photography features
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
Frames per second 5 fps 30 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-In
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (via app)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a580
Nikon Z8
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
EN-EL15c
Battery Life (CIPA) 1050 shots 340 shots
Width 137 mm 144 mm
Height 104 mm 119 mm
Depth 84 mm 83 mm
Weight 599 gram 910 gram