Sony a37 vs Sony a55
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a37 and Sony a55. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a37 were released 2012 and Sony a55 was released 2010. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a37 | 2012 |
Sony a55 | 2010 |
Type of camera
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 a37 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Sony a55 | 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
Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony a37 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a55 has 16 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 |
Sony a55 |
16 MP
16032768 pixels 4912 x 3264 |
ISO range
Sony a37 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a55. Sony a37 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a55 has 100 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a37 | 100-25600 |
Sony a55 | 100-12800 |
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 a37
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a55
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 Sony a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a37 | 5,5 |
Sony a55 | 10 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a37 and Sony a55 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 a37 weighs 506 gr (equal to 1.12 lb) which is 1% heavier than Sony a55 and its 500 gr (or 1.1 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a37 | 506 gr 1.12 lb |
Sony a55 | 500 gr 1.1 lb |
Sony a37 vs Sony a55 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a37 and Sony a55, 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 |
Sony a55 |
Name | Sony a37 | Sony a55 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a37 |
Sony a55 |
Release Year | 2012 | 2010 |
Release Date | 2012-05-17 | 2010-08-24 |
MSRP | 599 USD | 749 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a37 |
Sony a55 |
Camera Type | SLT | SLT |
Sensor |
Sony a37 |
Sony a55 |
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 | 4912 x 3264 pixels |
Megapixels | 16 MP | 16 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | Bionz |
Image |
Sony a37 |
Sony a55 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a37 |
Sony a55 |
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 Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 15 | 15 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Sony A 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 a37 |
Sony a55 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 2.6” | 3” |
Screen dots | 230400 | 921000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) | 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a37 |
Sony a55 |
Frames per second | 5,5 fps | 10 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | 10 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a37 |
Sony a55 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
Video resolution |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Sony a37 |
Sony a55 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a37 |
Sony a55 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional) | Yes (Optional) |
GPS | No |
Yes Built-in |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a37 |
Sony a55 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
|
Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 500 shots | 380 shots |
Width | 124 mm | 124 mm |
Height | 92 mm | 92 mm |
Depth | 85 mm | 85 mm |
Weight | 506 gram | 500 gram |