• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A580 advantages over Nikon D7000

  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $1500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    32 vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D7000 advantages over Sony DSLR-A580

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    39 vs 15
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSLR-A580

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7000

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Better than average noise vs. detail handling at high ISOs; Very good dynamic range in JPEGs, excellent in RAW files; Lots of high-end features in a relatively compact body; 6 fps burst mode.

  • Viewfinder not as accurate as specified; Viewfinder doesn't show ISO unless adjusting; No live histogram in Live View mode; No phase-detect Live View AF mode.

  • Read our Nikon D7000 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 60D

Sony DSLR-A580
Canon 60D
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs Canon 60D

Nikon D7000
Canon 60D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Canon 60D

Compared to Sony A55

Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A55
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs Sony A55

Nikon D7000
Sony A55
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A33
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs Sony A33

Nikon D7000
Sony A33
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Sony A33

Compared to Sony A35

Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A35
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs Sony A35

Nikon D7000
Sony A35
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Sony A35

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Sony DSLR-A580
Pentax K-5 II
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D7000
Pentax K-5 II
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-5 II

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