Sony SLT Alpha 37 vs Sony SLT Alpha 57 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 37
45
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 57
49
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony SLT Alpha 37 and the Sony SLT Alpha 57 are both 2012 Sony DSLR bodies. The Alpha 37 is the smaller and lighter body, measuring 124 x 92 x 85 mm and weighing 506 g. The Alpha 57 measures 132 x 98 x 81 mm and weighs 618 g, a 112 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 17, 2012 | March 12, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 92 x 85 mm | 132 x 98 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 506 g | 618 g |
| Optics | 52/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony SLT Alpha 57 is the clear choice for fast action, offering burst shooting that reaches 12 fps against 5.5 fps on the Alpha 37, more than twice the frame rate. That speed helps you catch a runner mid-stride or a bird at take-off. Resolution is a similarity: 16 MP on the Alpha 37 and 16.1 MP on the Alpha 57, both from APS-C CMOS sensors, so neither offers a meaningful cropping advantage. Both use the Sony Alpha mount, so the same lenses serve either body, and each offers in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld shooting. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4912 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.5 fps045 | 12 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony Alpha | Sony Alpha |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
160003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
150300 | 150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Alpha 57 is the better pick for slow motion, with a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps against 30 fps on the Alpha 37, twice as fast. Footage from either body tops out at Full HD resolution. Playing 60 fps clips at half speed in an editor gives smooth slow motion of fast action. Both cameras record AVCHD and MP4 files, so either body fits the same editing workflow. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 | AVCHD, MP4, MPEG-4 AVC |
| Features | 34/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesReviewing images is much more detailed on the Alpha 57, whose 3 inch TFT screen carries 921,000 dots against the 230,400 dots of the Alpha 37's 2.6 inch LCD. That roughly fourfold dot count makes it easier to check focus and fine detail on the back of the camera before you pack up a shoot. A flipping screen is shared, so both cameras handle waist-level and overhead angles, and each offers live view plus built-in and external flash. Neither has GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or weather sealing, so geotagging and wireless transfer need external solutions. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.6" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2304001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage is a similarity: each camera has a single card slot taking SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, so one card collection serves either body. Neither charges its battery over USB. The batteries differ: the Alpha 57 uses an NP-FM500H rated for 550 shots, while the Alpha 37's NP-FW50 is rated for 500, a 50 shot gap in the rating. The different battery types also mean spares and chargers do not carry between the two. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FW50 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 550 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For sports, wildlife or fast-moving children, the Sony SLT Alpha 57 is the stronger buy. Its 12 fps burst, 60 fps maximum video frame rate and 921,000 dot screen directly improve action stills, slow-motion clips and on-camera review.
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 37 when portability matters more than speed, such as everyday carry or travel photography where its 5.5 fps burst and 30 fps maximum video frame rate are enough. You trade the faster burst and higher video frame rate for a smaller, lighter body.