Sony a7 vs Sony a580
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 and Sony a580. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a7 were released 2013 and Sony a580 was released 2010. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a7 | 2013 |
Sony a580 | 2010 |
Type of camera
Sony a7 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a580 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Sony a580 has a "Sony APS-C"-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 a7 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Sony a580 | 75 mm Sony APS-C 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)
Resolution
Sony a7 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a580 has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a7 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Sony a580 |
16 MP
16032768 pixels 4912 x 3264 |
Sony a7 has a 50 % 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
Sony a7 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a580. Sony a7 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a580 has 100 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7 | 100-25600 |
Sony a580 | 100-12800 |
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 a7
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a580
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony a580 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7 | 5 |
Sony a580 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a7 and Sony a580 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 26% heavier than Sony a7 and its 474 gr (or 1.04 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7 | 474 gr 1.04 lb |
Sony a580 | 599 gr 1.32 lb |
Sony a7 vs Sony a580 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 and Sony a580, 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 a7 |
Sony a580 |
Name | Sony a7 | Sony a580 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
Release Year | 2013 | 2010 |
Release Date | 2013-10-16 | 2010-08-24 |
MSRP | 1699 USD | 799 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 4912 x 3264 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 16 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | Bionz |
Image |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center 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 | 117 | 15 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
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 |
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 |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1230000 | 921600 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | Xtra Fine LCD | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71× | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
Frames per second | 5 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
Video resolution |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app) |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Remote Control | Yes (wired) | Yes (Optional) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7 |
Sony a580 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 340 shots | 1050 shots |
Width | 127 mm | 137 mm |
Height | 94 mm | 104 mm |
Depth | 48 mm | 84 mm |
Weight | 474 gram | 599 gram |