Sony a37 vs Sony NEX-F3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a37 and Sony NEX-F3. 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 NEX-F3 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 NEX-F3 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 NEX-F3 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 NEX-F3 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

ISO range

Sony a37 has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-F3. Sony a37 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony NEX-F3 has 200 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a37 100-25600
Sony NEX-F3 200-16000

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 NEX-F3

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 NEX-F3 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a37 5,5
Sony NEX-F3 5,5

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 NEX-F3 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 61% heavier than Sony NEX-F3 and its 314 gr (or 0.69 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a37 506 gr
1.12 lb
Sony NEX-F3 314 gr
0.69 lb

Sony a37 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a37 and Sony NEX-F3, 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 NEX-F3
Name Sony a37 Sony NEX-F3
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a37
Sony NEX-F3
Release Year 2012 2012
Release Date 2012-05-17 2012-05-17
MSRP 599 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a37
Sony NEX-F3
Camera Type SLT Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a37
Sony NEX-F3
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 NEX-F3
ISO Range 100 - 25600 200 - 16000
White Balance Presets 6 6
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
Sony NEX-F3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 15 25
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

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 NEX-F3
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 2.6” 3”
Screen dots 230400 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a37
Sony NEX-F3
Frames per second 5,5 fps 5,5 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 N/A
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, 2/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a37
Sony NEX-F3
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
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 NEX-F3
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a37
Sony NEX-F3
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) No
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a37
Sony NEX-F3
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & USB charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 470 shots
Width 124 mm 117 mm
Height 92 mm 67 mm
Depth 85 mm 42 mm
Weight 506 gram 314 gram