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Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha DSLR-A550SonyAlpha DSLR-A580
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2009October 2010
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeExmor CMOSExmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.4 × 15.6 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution14.2 MP16.2 MP
Largest image4592 × 30564912 × 3264
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–12800100–12800
Sensor detailApproximately 14.6 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter, charge protection coating and sensor-shift dust reductionApproximately 16.7 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter, charge protection coating and sensor-shift dust reduction
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.2
ISO detail–ISO 100–12,800 for single exposures; Multi Frame Noise Reduction combines six exposures and extends to ISO 25,600.
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony A-mountSony A-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst7 fps7 fps
Lens detailSony A-mount; operation confirmed with Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lensesSony A-mount; operation confirmed with Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses
AutofocusTTL phase detection with nine points; single, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus, predictive control and Eye-start AF. Face detection and Smile Shutter are available in Quick AF Live View.TTL 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 focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 secondElectronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailUp to 5 fps with optical viewfinder, or 4 fps in live view. Speed-priority shooting reaches 7 fps with focus and exposure locked at the first frame. Normal continuous buffer: approximately 32 Fine JPEG, 14 RAW or seven RAW+JPEG frames, depending on conditions and media.Normal 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 detailSteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops, depending on lens and conditions.SteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops, depending on lens and conditions.
FlashAutomatic pop-up flash; guide number 12 m at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL; proprietary Alpha flash shoeAutomatic pop-up flash; guide number 12 m at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL; proprietary Alpha flash shoe
Exposure controlsProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual and scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb metering with optical finder, 1,200-zone metering in Quick AF Live View. Auto HDR combines two exposures for JPEG still subjects.Program, 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.
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailXtra Fine LCD tilts 90° up and down. Quick AF Live View uses a dedicated sensor with 90% coverage; Manual Focus Check Live View uses the main sensor with 100% coverage and 7×/14× magnification.Xtra 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 detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.80× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity, −1 m⁻¹.Pentamirror; 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)950 photographs1050 photographs
Body weight599 g599 g
Release detailSony Hong Kong specifies September 2009 availability. Sony Japan revised its local sale date to 5 November 2009; that later regional release is not used as the first-sale date. No September sale day is given.Sony UK and Hong Kong specify availability from October 2010, following the August announcement; no first-sale day is given.
Recording mediaSD, SDHC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; card selection uses a manual switch.SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; manual card selector
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, remote release terminal and Alpha accessory shoeUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, remote release terminal, stereo microphone input and Alpha accessory shoe
Battery life detailNP-FM500H; approximately 950 shots using optical viewfinder or 480 in live view, under CIPA conditions.NP-FM500H; approximately 1,050 shots using optical viewfinder or 560 in live view, under CIPA conditions.
ChargingSupplied BC-VM10 battery charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adapter/charger or AC-PW10AM adapterSupplied BC-VM10 battery charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adapter/charger or AC-PW10AM adapter
DimensionsApproximately 137 × 104 × 84 mm (width × height × depth), excluding projections.Approximately 137 × 104 × 84 mm (width × height × depth), excluding projections.
Weight detailApproximately 599 g body only, excluding battery, memory card and accessories.Approximately 599 g body only; 679 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo.
ColoursBlackBlack
Video
Highest video resolution–1920 × 1080 at 25 fps
Video detailNo movie recording; HDMI supports still-image playback.PAL: 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).
Audio–Built-in stereo microphone, external stereo microphone input and mono playback speaker

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