Sony Alpha 380 vs Sony Alpha 500 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 380
41
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 500
45
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 380 and the Sony Alpha 500 are both 2009 DSLRs, announced in May and August respectively. The A380 is the smaller and lighter body at 519 g and 128 x 97 x 71 mm, while the A500 measures 137 x 104 x 84 mm and weighs 630 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 18, 2009 | August 27, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 128 x 97 x 71 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 519 g | 630 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 50/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 500 is the stronger choice for moving subjects and dim rooms: it shoots at 5 fps against 2.5 fps for the A380, twice the frame rate for catching a peak moment in a burst. Its CMOS sensor reaches 12800 ISO, while the A380's CCD tops out at 3200 ISO, four times the ceiling when light falls. The Alpha 380 is the better pick for daylight detail: its 14.2 MP sensor gives more pixels to crop into a distant subject than the A500's 12.3 MP, and its 100 ISO base sensitivity suits bright conditions where the A500 starts at 200 ISO. Both use the Sony Alpha DT mount, so a lens you already own fits either body. Sensor-shift stabilisation is built into both, and both frame shots through an optical pentamirror viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.2 MP050 | 12.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4592 x 3056 | 4272 x 2848 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
2.5 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony Alpha DT | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so this pair is for stills photographers only. Both also lack a built-in intervalometer for timelapse, which means any time-lapse work needs an external remote trigger. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 34/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 500 gives you a larger screen for checking focus and framing in live view, measuring 3 inches against the A380's 2.7 inches. Both screens are LCDs, and their dot counts differ by only 400, so the A500's gain is size rather than screen sharpness. Framing at awkward angles works on both cameras through their tilting flip screens and live view, and each carries a built-in flash plus support for an external flash. Neither offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, a touchscreen or weather sealing, so wireless transfer and geotagging need external accessories on either body. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2304001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe two bodies take different battery packs, so a spare must match the camera you buy: the A380 uses an NP-FH50 and the A500 an NP-FM500H. The A380 is rated for 500 shots and the A500 for 520, a 20-shot difference. Storage is shared ground: both cameras accept SD, SDHC and Memory Stick Pro Duo or Pro-HG Duo cards in a single slot, so your existing cards and card reader carry over unchanged. Neither camera charges over USB, so each relies on its own external charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FH50 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 520 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Alpha 500 if you photograph action or low light: 5 fps bursts, a 12800 ISO ceiling and a CMOS sensor make it the better tool for children's sports, indoor family candids and evening street scenes.
Choose the Alpha 380 if your pictures are mostly made in good light and you value detail over speed. Its 14.2 MP sensor leaves more room to crop a landscape or a distant bird, and it is the lighter body for a day of walking with one lens.