Sony SLT Alpha 37 vs Sony SLT Alpha 58 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 37
49
SCORE
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Sony · DSLR · 20.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 58
53
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony SLT Alpha 58 is the newer camera, released in 2013 a year after the Sony SLT Alpha 37. Both are DSLR-type bodies with an electronic viewfinder, so you see framing and exposure live at all times. The sensor format is shared: both use APS-C CMOS sensors. The Alpha 58 is also the lighter body at 492 g against 506 g, so the choice turns on resolution, battery endurance and smaller differences. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 17, 2012 | February 20, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 92 x 85 mm | 129 x 95 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 506 g | 492 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 58 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 20.1 megapixels against 16 for the Alpha 37. That is roughly 25 percent more pixels, meaning more room to crop a distant bird or stage performer and keep detail. The Alpha 37 has a Sony Alpha mount and the Alpha 58 a Sony Alpha DT mount, so confirm compatibility with your existing lenses. In-body stabilisation is shared for steadier handheld shooting, and the Alpha 37 counters with an expanded ISO 25600 setting against 16000, plus a 5.5 fps burst against 5 fps for action sequences. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 20.1 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 | 5456 x 3632 |
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 | 5 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 DT |
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 | 160003003280000 |
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 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Alpha 37 is the better pick for smoother motion, with a maximum video frame rate of 30 fps against 24 fps on the Alpha 58. Full HD is the shared resolution ceiling, so the split is motion rendering, not detail. File formats differ: the Alpha 37 offers AVCHD Ver. 2.0 alongside MP4, while the Alpha 58 offers AVCHD and MP4. Neither has a built-in interval mode for time-lapse work. | ||
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 | 24 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 |
| Features | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 58's rear screen is the practical winner here, doubling the Alpha 37's dot count with 460,000 dots against 230,400 on a slightly larger 2.7-inch panel. Reviewing focus and fine detail right after a shot is easier on that sharper display. A tilting LCD on both cameras allows waist-level and overhead shooting, and both offer live view plus a built-in flash and external flash support. Neither includes GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so geotagging and wireless transfer need add-ons. | ||
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 | 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" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2304001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
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 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 58 holds the battery advantage, rated at 690 shots against 500 for the Alpha 37. The two take different battery types, NP-FM500H and NP-FW50, so a spare for one will not fit the other. Card support is a shared specification: both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo media through a single slot. Neither supports USB charging. | ||
| 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 | 690 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | [object Object] | — |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 | — |
| Status | complete | — |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony SLT Alpha 58 is the better buy for most photographers. Its 20.1 megapixels give more cropping room for wildlife and travel, its 460,000-dot screen makes checking results easier, and its 690-shot rating beats the Alpha 37's 500.
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 37 instead for an expanded ISO 25600 setting in very dark venues, a 5.5 fps burst for short action runs, or its higher 30 fps maximum video frame rate.