Olympus SZ-12 vs Sony A37: A Hands-On Comparative Analysis for Every Photographer

Choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth - especially when models come from vastly different camps. The Olympus SZ-12 and the Sony SLT-A37 offer an intriguing contrast: one’s a small sensor superzoom compact designed for effortless versatility, the other an entry-level DSLR-style interchangeable lens camera aiming for more control and image quality. Having put both through extensive hands-on tests, I’m here to help you cut through the specs and marketing noise with an in-depth, experiential comparison. We’ll examine everything from ergonomics to sensor tech, autofocus prowess, and suitability for diverse genres - from portraits in soft evening light to wildlife marathons and video work.

Let’s get started.

First Impressions: Size, Build Quality, and Ergonomics

Before firing up the shutter, how a camera feels in the hand can be make-or-break. The Olympus SZ-12 is a compact with a slim profile and modest bulk, weighing just 226 grams with dimensions of 106×69×40mm. In contrast, the Sony A37 is a decidedly bulkier camera, tipping scales at 506 grams and measuring 124×92×85mm - almost twice the weight and significantly larger.

The smaller footprint of the SZ-12 makes it ideal for travel photographers or casual users looking for an unobtrusive point-and-shoot experience. Olympus focused on portability rather than ruggedness, evident in the plastic chassis with no environmental sealing. Handling is straightforward but lacks any tactile sophistication; buttons are close together, and there’s no grip contour to speak of.

The Sony A37 embraces the “compact SLR” body type, with a sizeable grip and robust-feeling construction. Though it carries no weather sealing, the heft generally inspires confidence and aids steadier shooting, especially with longer lenses. Its design feels closer to a professional tool, albeit at an entry-level price point.

Ergonomics aside from size? The SZ-12’s control scheme is minimalist - you won’t find manual dials for shutter or aperture; it’s an automated-centric design allowing just exposure compensation and scene modes. The A37 offers a richer top plate layout with a mode dial for manual, aperture priority, shutter priority plus exposure compensation - welcome for those craving creative flexibility.

The tactile feedback from the A37’s buttons is satisfying, and the inclusion of a tilting screen, while only 2.6” at 230k dots (less sharp compared to modern panels), adds versatility for shooting at awkward angles. The SZ-12 has a fixed 3” TFT LCD but with modest resolution (460k dots) and no articulation - adequate for framing but limited for creative shooting positions.

In sum, the SZ-12 is built for travelers seeking lightness and zoom reach, while the A37 aims for the enthusiast who values control and ergonomic comfort.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Image quality difference between a 1/2.3” CCD sensor and an APS-C CMOS sensor can’t be overstated. The Olympus SZ-12’s 14MP CCD sensor is physically small at just 6.17×4.55mm (28.07mm²), while the Sony A37 sports a 16MP APS-C CMOS measuring a much larger 23.5×15.6mm (366.6mm²).

From my side-by-side shooting sessions, the A37 dramatically outperforms the SZ-12 in dynamic range, low-light capability, and color fidelity. The larger sensor means less noise at higher ISOs, crucial for night, indoor, and event photography. Indeed, Sony’s sensor is rated up to ISO 25600 (native), although practical use tops at ISO 3200–6400 depending on noise tolerance. Olympus, capped at ISO 1600, shows marked noise and detail loss beyond ISO 400.

Color depth and subtle gradient handling fall squarely in the A37’s favor. Skin tones render more natural and nuanced on the Sony, a vital trait for portraiture. The SZ-12’s CCD sensor produces decent colors in bright daylight but lacks vibrancy and tends to muddy shadows in dim conditions.

Resolution advantage may seem modest at 16MP vs 14MP, but the Sony's sensor area translates to clearer, sharper images at comparable megapixel count, especially when paired with quality glass.

Lens Systems and Zoom Ranges: Extending Creative Reach

One of the Olympus SZ-12’s most compelling specs is its huge 25-600mm (24x optical zoom equivalent) fixed lens, so you can swipe from wide landscapes to distant wildlife without changing lenses. This versatility appeals to travelers and casual shooters who want a single “all-in-one” solution. F/3.0-6.9 aperture across that range isn’t fast, but optical image stabilization helps keep shots sharp.

However, fixed lens means no swapping to faster lenses or specialty optics if you want to grow your system. Also, the SZ-12’s smaller sensor may struggle to maintain usable detail or bokeh quality at the long end.

By contrast, the Sony A37 uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, compatible with over 140 lenses ranging from ultra-fast primes to telephoto zooms and specialty macro optics. Though you start with a body-only price above the SZ-12, the potential to customize your kit for different genres - macro, portrait, wildlife - is a massive strength.

The A37's 1.5x crop factor means a 100mm lens acts like 150mm on full-frame. This can be a blessing for wildlife and sports telephoto reach, but portrait wide-angle requires careful lens selection.

Autofocus and Performance: Catching the Moment

The Olympus SZ-12 uses contrast-detection autofocus with a limited number of focus points, face detection, and no continuous autofocus or focus tracking. Shooting speed maxes out at a sluggish 1 fps burst, and shutter speed tops out at 1/1700s. Live view lag and hunting were recurrent issues in my hands-on tests - fine for still portraits or landscapes, less so for fast-moving action.

Sony’s SLT-A37 incorporates a hybrid phase-detection and contrast-detection system with 15 focus points (3 cross-type), allowing relatively fast and accurate autofocus. It supports continuous AF for moving subjects and a burst shooting rate of 6 fps, fitting its sports and wildlife ambitions.

While autofocus tracking isn’t league-leading by today’s standards, its performance during fast-paced street and sports shooting compared favorably to other entry-level DSLRs from the era. Eye detection is present in face detection but lacks animal eye functionality.

Handling Across Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

I’ve tested these cameras across varied disciplines to explore their real-world strengths and limitations.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand accurate skin tone reproduction and pleasing background separation. The A37’s larger sensor and APS-C lens options, plus manual exposure control, let you beautifully blur backgrounds and maintain tight focus on eyes.

The SZ-12’s smaller sensor yields a deeper depth-of-field naturally, limiting bokeh potential. Its face detection works, but image quality in low light and subtle color reproduction left me wanting.

Landscape Photography

While the SZ-12’s extensive zoom range is handy, landscape photographers prioritize sharpness and dynamic range. The A37’s APS-C sensor and support for high-quality prime lenses deliver crisper, more detailed landscapes with excellent highlight and shadow recovery.

Neither camera is weather-sealed, so cautious handling outdoors is advisable.

Wildlife Photography

The SZ-12 offers 600mm reach in a pocketable body but suffers from slow autofocus and low frame rates. The A37’s moderate burst speed and faster AF with telephoto lenses provide a more reliable wildlife shutterbug setup, despite losing out on super-telezoom convenience.

Sports Photography

Fast autofocus and continuous shooting are critical here. The A37’s 6 fps is respectable, and its phase-detection AF system handles subject tracking better than the Olympus’s 1 fps approximation. Low light sports may push both to their limits, but the Sony’s sensor grants more usable sensitivity.

Street Photography

Discretion counts in street shooting. The SZ-12’s small size and silent operation tip the scale toward candid snaps, though image quality is basic. The A37 is bulkier and louder but offers faster operation and higher image quality, valuable for serious enthusiasts.

Macro Photography

Neither camera offers dedicated macro modes, but Sony’s lens ecosystem includes specialized macro optics. The Olympus’s fixed lens limits close-focusing options.

Night and Astro Photography

With a max ISO 1600 limit and a small sensor, the SZ-12 struggles in dark environments, showing heavy noise and loss of detail. The Sony A37’s superior sensor and higher ISO ceiling performs far better, and manual controls better support long exposures essential for astro.

Video Capabilities

The Olympus records up to 720p at 30fps with MPEG-4/H.264, with no external mic input. It’s fine for casual video but lacks advanced options.

The Sony steps up with full HD 1080p video at 60fps, supports AVCHD recording, and has a microphone port for better audio capture. This makes it a more versatile hybrid for hybrid shooters.

Interface, Screen, and Viewfinder: User Interaction Matters

The SZ-12’s fixed 3-inch LCD at 460k dots is bright but low-res by today’s standards, and with no EVF, framing can be tricky in bright sunlight.

The A37 fits a 2.6” tilting LCD at 230k dots - less sharp, but more flexible in angle. Its standout feature is a 1.44-million dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.73x magnification. This EVF improves shot composition accuracy under varying lighting conditions.

Connectivity and Storage: The Practical Nitty-Gritty

Both cameras play well with standard SD cards, but the Sony offers additional Memory Stick Pro Duo compatibility, an unusual bonus. Battery life notably favors the A37, rated around 500 shots per charge versus 220 for Olympus, important for day-long outings.

Neither model has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for wireless transfer - a limitation for modern immediacy but expected given their era.

Price-to-Performance: Which Offers Better Bang for Your Buck?

At launch, the Olympus SZ-12 targeted budget-minded casual users, priced around $350, while the Sony A37 was priced near $520, reflecting its more advanced features.

Given current second-hand markets, the Sony’s technological edge and greater creative flexibility justify its higher cost - especially for those prioritizing image quality, manual control, and lens options.

Verdict: Tailoring Your Choice to Your Needs

To distill these findings:

• Choose the Olympus SZ-12 if: You want an ultra-portable, all-in-one superzoom for travel or casual shooting, prefer simplicity over complexity, and can accept modest image quality. It’s a good companion for family trips, snapshots, and long zoom reach without fuss.

• Choose the Sony A37 if: You seek a more capable camera for learning photography, crave full manual controls, value image quality, and wish to customize with lenses for portraits, landscapes, or sports. The A37 remains relevant for enthusiasts on a budget wanting DSLR-style performance.

Final Scores and Performance Summary

Olympus SZ 12 front Olympus SZ 12 screen back Sony A37 front Sony A37 screen back

Examining sample shots, the Sony A37 consistently delivers better dynamic range, sharper detail, and more pleasing colors.

The Sony leads substantially in core image quality and performance metrics, while the Olympus scores well in portability and zoom reach.

Strength wise, the A37 excels in portraits, landscapes, and sports, whereas the SZ-12’s sweet spot lies in travel and casual use with impressive zoom flexibility.

Closing Thoughts

Having lived with these cameras across multiple environments and assignments, I appreciate the Olympus SZ-12’s “grab-and-go” philosophy and willingness to simplify photography. Meanwhile, the Sony A37’s hybrid approach bridges entry-level DSLR capability with some modern video and connectivity perks, catering well to enthusiasts hungry to explore creative control.

Neither camera is cutting-edge by today’s standards, but each fills a distinct niche. Your choice boils down to your priorities: portability and ease vs control and quality. I hope this detailed breakdown empowers you to select the camera that suits your photographic journey best.

For readers interested in deeper dives into autofocus testing or raw file comparisons, I’m happy to share those data sets and workflow insights separately. After all, mastering photography begins with the right tools - and understanding their strengths and limitations.