• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon A580 advantages over Sigma DP1 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $799 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    225g vs 391g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma DP1 Merrill advantages over Canon A580

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 1.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.49 vs 0.76 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    14.8 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.8 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Exceptionally detailed and uniquely beautiful image quality at low ISOs; Fast, sharp 28mm-equivalent lens; Simple, straightforward controls match camera's simple, straightforward (street photography) goals.

  • Fixed-focal-length lens; Image quality deteriorates significantly at ISO 800 and above; Overall sluggish performer; Falls short when capturing JPEGs; Terrible VGA-only video quality; Very poor battery life; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Canon A590 IS

Canon A580
Canon A590 IS
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Less shutter lag
Sigma DP1 Merrill
Canon A590 IS
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon E1

Canon A580
Canon E1
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sigma DP1 Merrill
Canon E1
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon A1000 IS

Canon A580
Canon A1000 IS
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sigma DP1 Merrill
Canon A1000 IS
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica X2

Canon A580
Leica X2
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X2
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Canon A580
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sigma DP1 Merrill
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
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