Sony Alpha 580 vs Sony SLT Alpha 35 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony Alpha 580
52
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 35
50
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 580 and the Sony SLT Alpha 35 are APS-C DSLRs that share the Sony Alpha DT lens mount, so any DT-mount lens you already own fits either body. The Alpha 580 arrived in 2010 as the larger, heavier option at 137 x 104 x 84 mm and 599 g. The SLT Alpha 35 followed in 2011 at 124 x 92 x 85 mm and 415 g, a 184 g saving for carry-focused shooters. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2010 | June 8, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 137 x 104 x 84 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 599 g | 415 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SLT Alpha 35's electronic viewfinder previews exposure and white balance before you shoot, showing final brightness at the eyepiece through 1,150,000 dots. The Alpha 580 instead uses an optical pentamirror viewfinder. Photographers who want to confirm exposure while framing get that feedback only on the Alpha 35. Cropping room barely differs, with 16.2 MP on the Alpha 580 against 16 MP on the Alpha 35. The Alpha 35 is also slightly quicker for brief action bursts, at 5.5 fps against 5 fps. The core shooting setup matches, with both offering in-body stabilisation, 15 autofocus points and a 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.2 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4912 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | 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. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 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. |
5 fps045 | 5.5 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 | 10030200 |
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. |
128003003280000 | 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 | 10030200 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
150300 | 150300 |
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) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 115000009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor family clips and casual filmmaking, both cameras record Full HD video and support a 60 fps maximum frame rate. Both write AVCHD and MP4 files, so one editing workflow covers either camera. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
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. |
AVCHD, MP4 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe flip-out screens let you frame in live view at high or low angles, on 3-inch LCDs. Screen detail differs only marginally, at 921,600 dots on the Alpha 580 and 921,000 on the SLT Alpha 35. Both cameras include a built-in flash and support an external flash for bounce lighting. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. | ||
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 | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9216001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 | 45/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 580 is the stronger choice for long shooting days, rated at 1050 shots per charge against 440 for the SLT Alpha 35 under their respective test conditions. They use different batteries, an NP-FM500H in the 580 and an NP-FW50 in the Alpha 35. Card storage matches, with a single slot on each body accepting SD, SDHC and SDXC or Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FM500H | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1050 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 35 for travel and everyday carry, where its lighter body and exposure-previewing viewfinder suit a walk-around kit, plus a 5.5 fps edge for fleeting moments. Choose the Sony Alpha 580 for all-day events, wildlife weekends or shoots far from a charger, where its 1050-shot rating points to far longer sessions. Both share the DT mount, in-body stabilisation and Full HD video, so your lenses carry over either way.