Sony Alpha 580

The Sony Alpha 580 is an APS-C DSLR from 2010 that takes Sony Alpha DT lenses. At 599 g and 137 x 104 x 84 mm, it is a comfortable mid-sized body rather than a pocketable option.

It pairs an optical pentamirror viewfinder with live view on a 3-inch LCD that flips out, so you can shoot the traditional way or at waist level. Stabilisation is built into the body, which keeps handheld shots steady with any lens you mount.

Owning one today means a card-reader workflow, since there is no wireless transfer. That suits anyone building a kit around Alpha DT lenses who prefers simple, deliberate shooting.

The 58 Optics score is modest, and the 580 sits around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics. The 16.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor works with the Bionz processor, which handles the image pipeline.

In-body stabilisation is the standout. Because the correction happens in the body, it works with any Alpha DT lens you attach, countering camera shake from your own movement rather than a moving subject's.

The ISO range runs from 100 to 12800, which gives room to keep working as light fades. Shutter speeds top out at 1/4000 s, a workable ceiling for general shooting.

For action, 5 fps is the maximum burst rate, and it should be read as a peak figure rather than a sustained pace. The 15 autofocus points give a straightforward layout, and the pentamirror viewfinder provides the optical view.

The 580 records video up to Full HD, with frame rates reaching 60 fps, and saves files as AVCHD or MP4. Maximum resolution and maximum frame rate are separate limits here, so the highest resolution may not pair with the highest frame rate.

The 56 Video score is modest, which matches these straightforward capabilities. Frame rates reaching 60 fps give smooth motion for moving subjects, but confirm which resolution and frame rate combinations the camera offers before planning a specific look.

There is no built-in timelapse mode, so interval sequences need an external trigger or manual shooting. The in-body stabilisation helps steady handheld video by countering camera shake, though it will not stop a moving subject.

The 3-inch LCD carries 921,600 dots and flips out from the body. That tilt is useful for waist-level work, low tripod shots and holding the camera above a crowd.

There is no touch input, so menus and settings are handled with the physical controls. Live view is available when you would rather compose on the screen than through the optical finder.

A built-in flash covers quick fill light, and the camera also accepts external flash units, so both options are open.

The 41 Features score is modest. Weather sealing, touch input and Bluetooth are absent, along with GPS and Wi-Fi, so image transfer happens by card reader, geotagging needs another device, and shooting in dust or rain calls for extra care.

The 580 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, so either card family you already own will work. There is a single slot, so offloading images and swapping cards is simply part of the routine.

The NP-FM500H battery is rated at 1050 shots. That rating comes without stated measurement conditions, so treat it as a guide rather than a guarantee, and a charged spare covers long events.

There is no USB charging, so the battery cannot be topped up over a cable. That adds a little planning for travel. The 45 Storage & Battery score reflects the single card slot and missing USB charging more than any endurance shortfall.