Sony a6500 vs Sony a37

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a6500 and Sony a37. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a6500 were released 2016 and Sony a37 was released 2012. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a6500 2016
Sony a37 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 a6500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a37 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

Sony a6500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a37 has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a6500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Sony a37 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

Sony a6500 has a 50 % larger resolution than Sony a37. 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a6500 100-25600
Sony a37 100-25600

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 a6500
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a37

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a6500 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Sony a37 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a6500 11
Sony a37 5,5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a6500 and Sony a37 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 12% heavier than Sony a6500 and its 453 gr (or 1 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a6500 453 gr
1 lb
Sony a37 506 gr
1.12 lb

Sony a6500 vs Sony a37 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a6500 and Sony a37, 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 a6500
Sony a37
Name Sony a6500 Sony a37
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a6500
Sony a37
Release Year 2016 2012
Release Date 2016-10-06 2012-05-17
MSRP 1399 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a6500
Sony a37
Camera Type Mirrorless SLT
Sensor
Sony a6500
Sony a37
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 6000 x 4000 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 16 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz
Image
Sony a6500
Sony a37
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 8 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a6500
Sony a37
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 425 15
Lens Mount Sony E

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 a6500
Sony a37
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 2.6”
Screen dots 921600 230400
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.07× (0.71× 35mm equiv.) 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 2359296 N/A
Photography features
Sony a6500
Sony a37
Frames per second 11 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 6 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a6500
Sony a37
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a6500
Sony a37
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a6500
Sony a37
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (Optional)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a6500
Sony a37
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50
Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots 500 shots
Width 120 mm 124 mm
Height 67 mm 92 mm
Depth 53 mm 85 mm
Weight 453 gram 506 gram