Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37
91 Imaging
41 Features
46 Overall
43


67 Imaging
57 Features
65 Overall
60
Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 and Sony SLT-A37. The full galleries are available at Olympus TG-870 Gallery and Sony A37 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Sony A37
TG-870 | A37 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2016 | ![]() | May 2012 | Fresher by 45 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.6" | Bigger screen (+0.4") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A37 Specifications
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 | Sony 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 |