Sony Alpha 580 vs Sony SLT Alpha 55 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony Alpha 580
52
WINNER
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Sony · DSLR · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 55
51
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 580 and Sony SLT Alpha 55 are both 2010 Sony DSLRs built around the Sony Alpha DT mount, so they draw on the same lens library. Announced on the same day, they split the APS-C line between two roles: the A580 as the larger conventional body and the A55 as the more compact one. The A55 is the lighter and smaller body at 500 g and 124 x 92 x 85 mm, against 599 g and 137 x 104 x 84 mm for the A580. That 99 g saving favours the A55 for carrying one camera all day on foot. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2010 | August 24, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 137 x 104 x 84 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 599 g | 500 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 58/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SLT Alpha 55 is the clear pick for action shooting, doubling the A580's continuous rate with 10 fps against 5 fps. That pace helps capture a bird taking off or a striker meeting the ball where the A580 may land between decisive moments. The A580 frames through an optical pentamirror finder, while the A55's 1,150,000-dot electronic viewfinder gives a live display rather than a direct optical view. The stills fundamentals match: both use a 16.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor, 15 autofocus points, in-body stabilisation and a 1/4000 second shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.2 MP050 | 16.2 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 | 10 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 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Alpha 580 is the stronger choice for video of fast action, offering a 60 fps maximum video frame rate against 30 fps on the A55. The extra frames allow half-speed slow motion in editing. Maximum video resolution is a shared Full HD limit. The two match on recording format: both shoot AVCHD and MP4 files. Neither offers a built-in intervalometer for timelapse work. | ||
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 | 30 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 | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe SLT Alpha 55 offers built-in GPS, which tags each photo with its shooting location, useful for travel and landscape cataloguing. The A580 has no GPS, so location data must be added separately. Both cameras offer a 3-inch flip-out LCD for waist-level and overhead framing, plus a built-in flash and support for an external flash. The rear screens differ by just 600 dots, 921600 against 921000. Neither offers 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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 580 is the clear choice for long shooting days, rated at 1050 shots per charge from its NP-FM500H battery against 380 shots for the A55's NP-FW50. On those ratings, pack a spare NP-FW50 for the A55 before a full event. Storage is identical in practice: both use a single slot taking SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo variants. 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 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Alpha 580 when endurance and optical viewing lead your list. Its 1050-shot rating, 60 fps maximum video frame rate and optical pentamirror finder suit weddings, long travel days and handheld clips of moving subjects.
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 55 for action and light travel. Its 10 fps bursts catch sports and wildlife moments the A580's 5 fps can miss. GPS tags every landscape location, and its 500 g body is the lighter one for long walks. Pack a spare NP-FW50, since its 380-shot rating is the shorter one.