• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A580 advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $2299 (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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 4.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More cross-type AF points
    3 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More AF points
    15 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    32 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Sony DSLR-A580

  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • 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
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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  • Kit with 18-200mm lens
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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D300S

Sony DSLR-A580
Nikon D300S
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs Nikon D300S

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D300S
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D300S

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

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony A55
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • Faster shutter
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill 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

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony A33
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • Faster shutter
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill 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

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony A35
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • Faster shutter
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony A35

Compared to Nikon D500

Sony DSLR-A580
Nikon D500
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs Nikon D500

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D500
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D500

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