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Nikon D7000 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD7000SonyAlpha DSLR-A580
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2010October 2010
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSExmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.6 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution16.2 MP16.2 MP
Largest image4928 × 32644912 × 3264
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–6400100–12800
Sensor detailDX CMOS with 16.2 million effective and 16.9 million total pixels; Image Sensor Cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data for optional Capture NX 2Approximately 16.7 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter, charge protection coating and sensor-shift dust reduction
Image formats12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, lossless-compressed or compressed; JPEG Fine/Normal/Basic with size-priority or optimal-quality compression; simultaneous RAW and JPEG; Picture Controls and in-camera NEF processingJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.2
ISO detailStandard ISO 100–6400 in one-third or half stops; expansion up to Hi 2, ISO 25600 equivalent; automatic sensitivity controlISO 100–12,800 for single exposures; Multi Frame Noise Reduction combines six exposures and extends to ISO 25,600.
Image processorEXPEED 2BIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst6 fps7 fps
Lens detailNikon F mount with AF coupling and contacts; body autofocus motor supports compatible AF lenses. Compatible non-CPU AI lenses support A/M exposure and metering when lens data are supplied; non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses excludedSony A-mount; operation confirmed with Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses
AutofocusMulti-CAM 4800DX phase-detection module, 39 points including nine cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF fine-tuning, dynamic nine/21/39 points, 3D tracking and auto-area AF. Live view uses contrast AF with AF-S or AF-F and face/wide/normal/tracking areasTTL phase detection: 15 points in live view, including three cross-type points; 11 points with optical viewfinder. Single, automatic and continuous AF; Focus Check Live View also offers contrast AF.
ShutterElectronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; 1/8000 to 30 seconds in half or one-third stops, Bulb and Time with optional ML-L3; tested to 150000 cycles; X-sync 1/250 second, up to 1/320 with reduced guide numberElectronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailHigh-speed approximately 6 fps; low-speed 1–5 fps; quiet release, mirror-up, interval timer, self-timer and optional ML-L3 remote modes; optional MB-D11 does not raise burst rateNormal continuous: up to 5 fps with optical viewfinder or 3 fps in live view. Speed Priority: up to 7 fps with focus and exposure locked at the first frame. Maker buffer: approximately 44 Fine JPEG, 22 RAW or 20 RAW+JPEG frames, depending on conditions and media.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationSteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops, depending on lens and conditions.
FlashBuilt-in pop-up i-TTL flash, guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C; commander mode and accessory shoe; Auto FP with compatible external SpeedlightsAutomatic pop-up flash; guide number 12 m at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL; proprietary Alpha flash shoe
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto and scene modes; U1/U2 custom presets; 2016-segment RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; exposure/flash, white-balance and Active D-Lighting bracketingProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual and scene modes; 40-segment optical-finder metering, 1,200-zone Quick AF Live View metering. Auto HDR combines three exposures; 2D/3D Sweep Panorama and handheld twilight modes.
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 24 fps1920 × 1080 at 25 fps
Video detailFull HD 1920 × 1080 at 24p (23.976 fps), 1280 × 720 at 30p/25p/24p and 640 × 424 at 30p/25p depending on NTSC/PAL setting; approximately 20 minutes maximum; MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with linear PCM audio. Photography Blog handling text incorrectly gives 1920 × 1280, MJPEG AVI and five-minute clips; own Nikon specification controlsPAL: AVCHD 1920 × 1080, 50i recording from 25 fps sensor output at approximately 17 Mbps; MP4 1440 × 1080 or VGA at 25 fps. NTSC versions use 59.94i recording from 29.97 fps output. No continuous autofocus during recording (Photography Blog).
AudioBuilt-in mono microphone; 3.5 mm external stereo microphone input with adjustable sensitivityBuilt-in stereo microphone, external stereo microphone input and mono playback speaker
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,000921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed three-inch TFT with 921000 dots on current US specification, rounded to 920000 on Japan specification; 170° viewing angle; top status LCD and live-view display; dots count subpixelsXtra Fine LCD tilts 90° up and down. Dedicated-sensor Quick AF Live View covers 90%; main-sensor Focus Check Live View covers 100%, with 7×/14× magnification, grid lines and level gauge.
Viewfinder detailGlass pentaprism, approximately 100% coverage and 0.94× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity; 19.5 mm eyepoint; grid display and depth-of-field previewPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.80× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity, −1 m⁻¹.
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)1050 photographs1050 photographs
Body weight690 g599 g
Release detailNikon Japan records actual first sale on 29 October 2010; global announcement dated 15 September describes a new mid-class DX line, so no direct D90 predecessor is inferredSony UK and Hong Kong specify availability from October 2010, following the August announcement; no first-sale day is given.
Recording mediaTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; overflow, backup or RAW/JPEG split recording and card-to-card copyingSD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; manual card selector
PortsHi-Speed USB, NTSC/PAL A/V output, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone input and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 remote or GP-1 GPSUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, remote release terminal, stereo microphone input and Alpha accessory shoe
Wireless connectionsOptional ML-L3 infrared release; no built-in Wi-Fi or GPS–
Battery life detailEN-EL15 lithium-ion battery; approximately 1050 shots per charge under CIPA conditions according to current Nikon USA specification; optional MB-D11 accepts one EN-EL15 or six AA cellsNP-FM500H; approximately 1,050 shots using optical viewfinder or 560 in live view, under CIPA conditions.
ChargingExternal MH-25 charger; optional EH-5a mains adapter and EP-5B power connectorSupplied BC-VM10 battery charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adapter/charger or AC-PW10AM adapter
DimensionsApproximately 132 × 105 × 77 mmApproximately 137 × 104 × 84 mm (width × height × depth), excluding projections.
Weight detailApproximately 690 g body only; 780 g with battery and SD memory card, excluding body capApproximately 599 g body only; 679 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo.
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy top and rear covers; body joints sealed against dust and moisture–
ColoursBlackBlack
In the boxEN-EL15, MH-25, UC-E4 USB cable, EG-D2 A/V cable, AN-DC1 strap, BM-11 LCD cover, BF-1B body cap, BS-1 shoe cover, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-21 eyecup and ViewNX 2 CD-ROM–

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