Sony a580 vs Sony NEX-5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a580 and Sony NEX-5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

These two camera models were both released 2010.

Camera Released
Sony a580 2010
Sony NEX-5 2010

Type of camera

Sony a580 is a DSLR camera while Sony NEX-5 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a580 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony NEX-5 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a580 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony NEX-5 has 14 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a580 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Sony NEX-5 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

Sony a580 has a 14 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-5. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a580 has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-5. Sony a580 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony NEX-5 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a580 100-12800
Sony NEX-5 200-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a580
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a580 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony NEX-5 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a580 5
Sony NEX-5 7

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a580 and Sony NEX-5 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a580 weighs 599 gr (equal to 1.32 lb) which is 109% heavier than Sony NEX-5 and its 287 gr (or 0.63 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a580 599 gr
1.32 lb
Sony NEX-5 287 gr
0.63 lb

Sony a580 vs Sony NEX-5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a580 and Sony NEX-5, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
Name Sony a580 Sony NEX-5
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
Release Year 2010 2010
Release Date 2010-08-24 2010-05-11
MSRP 799 USD 649 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 15 25
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921600 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
Frames per second 5 fps 7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (InfraRed (optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a580
Sony NEX-5
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1050 shots 330 shots
Width 137 mm 111 mm
Height 104 mm 59 mm
Depth 84 mm 38 mm
Weight 599 gram 287 gram