Sony a37 vs Canon EOS 1D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a37 and Canon EOS 1D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a37 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 1D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a37 were released 2012 and Canon EOS 1D was released 2001. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a37 2012
Canon EOS 1D 2001

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a37 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 1D has a "Canon APS-H"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a37 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 1D 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a37 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D has 4,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a37 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Canon EOS 1D 4,1 MP
4060672 pixels
2464 x 1648

Sony a37 has a 295 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D. 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 a37 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1D. Sony a37 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 1D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a37 100-25600
Canon EOS 1D 100-3200

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 a37
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a37 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a37 5,5
Canon EOS 1D 8

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a37. Unfortunately Canon EOS 1D does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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.

Canon EOS 1D weighs 1585 gr (equal to 3.49 lb) which is 213% heavier than Sony a37 and its 506 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a37 506 gr
1.12 lb
Canon EOS 1D 1585 gr
3.49 lb

Sony a37 vs Canon EOS 1D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a37 and Canon EOS 1D, 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 a37
Canon EOS 1D
Name Sony a37 Canon EOS 1D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a37
Canon EOS 1D
Release Year 2012 2001
Release Date 2012-05-17 2001-09-25
MSRP 599 USD 5499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a37
Canon EOS 1D
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a37
Canon EOS 1D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 2464 x 1648 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 4,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC
Image
Sony a37
Canon EOS 1D
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 8
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 a37
Canon EOS 1D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 15 45
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

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-H Sensor
1.3x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 31 mm
50 mm becomes 65 mm
100 mm becomes 130 mm
200 mm becomes 260 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a37
Canon EOS 1D
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 2.6” 2”
Screen dots 230400 120000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.72× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a37
Canon EOS 1D
Frames per second 5,5 fps 8 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/16000 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 Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a37
Canon EOS 1D
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a37
Canon EOS 1D
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a37
Canon EOS 1D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a37
Canon EOS 1D
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots N/A
Width 124 mm 156 mm
Height 92 mm 158 mm
Depth 85 mm 80 mm
Weight 506 gram 1585 gram