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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus TG-860
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced May 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A35
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 Overview

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-870 (16MP) and the A37 (16MP) is relatively close but the TG-870 (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The TG-870 was revealed 3 years later than the A37 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the TG-870 grades vs the A37 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Sony A37

 TG-870 A37 
IntroducedJanuary 2016May 2012Fresher by 45 months
Screen sizing3"2.6"Bigger screen (+0.4")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Olympus TG-870

 A37 TG-870 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Sony A37

 TG-870 A37 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-870 provides outer dimensions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Sony A37 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the TG-870 and the A37.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-870 and A37 is 91 and 67 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing specifications. The photograph here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-870 and A37.

Plainly, both the cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The TG-870 uses the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh tougher. The newer TG-870 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography advice
Sony A37 Portrait photography advice
36
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Street photography info
Sony A37 Street photography info
65
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than average (221g)
77
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Sports photography features
Sony A37 Sports photography features
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery life (300 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
not so great battery power (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Travel photography features
Sony A37 Travel photography features
69
good battery life (300 CIPA)
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (21mm)
heavier than average (221g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
54
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (500 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography features
Sony A37 Landscape photography features
50
reasonably wide (21mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
good battery life (300 per charge)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
64
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.6")
not so great battery power (500 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Vlogging highlights
Sony A37 Vlogging highlights
32
reasonably wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic port
heavier than average (221g)
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
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Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Sony A37
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Sony SLT-A37
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2016-01-06 2012-05-16
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 2.6"
Display resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 221g (0.49 pounds) 506g (1.12 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 799
Other
Battery life 300 shots 500 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $280 $522