Sony a37 vs Sony a57

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a37 and Sony a57. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

These two camera models were both released 2012.

Camera Released
Sony a37 2012
Sony a57 2012

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 a57 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 a57 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 a57 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

ISO range

Sony a37 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a57. Sony a37 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a57 has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a37 100-25600
Sony a57 100-16000

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 a57

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 a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a37 5,5
Sony a57 12

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 a57 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 a57 weighs 618 gr (equal to 1.36 lb) which is 22% heavier than Sony a37 and its 506 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a37 506 gr
1.12 lb
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb

Sony a37 vs Sony a57 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a37 and Sony a57, 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 a57
Name Sony a37 Sony a57
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a37
Sony a57
Release Year 2012 2012
Release Date 2012-05-17 2012-03-13
MSRP 599 USD 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a37
Sony a57
Camera Type SLT SLT
Sensor
Sony a37
Sony a57
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 a57
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 6 9
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 a57
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
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 a57
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 2.6” 3”
Screen dots 230400 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a37
Sony a57
Frames per second 5,5 fps 12 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) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a37
Sony a57
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 Yes
Storage
Sony a37
Sony a57
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a37
Sony a57
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 No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a37
Sony a57
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 550 shots
Width 124 mm 132 mm
Height 92 mm 98 mm
Depth 85 mm 81 mm
Weight 506 gram 618 gram