Olympus VG-110 vs Sony A37

Choosing Between Olympus VG-110 and Sony A37: A Deep Dive into Two Worlds of Photography

When you’re standing at the crossroads of camera shopping, toggling between ultra-compact simplicity and entry-level DSLR sophistication, it can feel like choosing between a bicycle and a motorcycle - both can get you places, but the ride, speed, and experience differ dramatically. Today, I’m dissecting two cameras that sit at quite different polarities: the Olympus VG-110 - a pocket-sized compact from 2011, and the Sony SLT-A37, a 2012 entry-level DSLR styled with modern flair and a healthy spec sheet. Both look tempting for different reasons, so let’s unpack their intricacies to see which fits your photographic ride.

Before delving into the tech specs, let me share that I’ve spent weeks shooting with both cameras in diverse scenarios - from serene landscapes under golden hour, to action-packed street scenes and dimly lit events. I’ve tested labs and played prosumer backyards - with shots ranging from casual family snaps to attempts at macro and low-light work. What follows is a deeply practical and honest compare-and-contrast session to help you see beyond marketing buzz and buzzwords.

First Impressions and Handling: Size Matters… or Does It?

Right off the bat, the most apparent contrast is in design and feel. The Olympus VG-110 is pure pocket magic. Measuring a mere 92 x 54 x 20 mm and weighing just 105 grams, it practically vanishes in your palm. In contrast, the Sony A37, a compact SLR-style camera, feels like a proper tool - 124 x 92 x 85 mm and 506 grams of heft. That’s about five times the weight and over four times the volume. Handling these two side-by-side is like comparing an ice cream cone to a hearty steak dinner.

Ergonomically, the VG-110 leans heavily on its ultracompact nature. It’s easy to slip it in a pocket or small purse, but don’t expect the kind of grip or control depth you get with the A37. The lack of a dedicated grip or textured panels means the VG-110 can feel slippery or fiddly if you have larger hands or are in motion.

The Sony A37 sports a much more substantial grip, carved to fit fingers comfortably and with a series of well-spaced, well-labeled buttons. It’s unmistakably designed for photographers who want manual controls on tap, not just “point and shoot.” Top view layouts reflect this:

Here, the Sony’s control dials and buttons feel satisfying, with exposure compensation, shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual modes taking central stage. The Olympus? It’s minimalistic, with most operations falling to menu-driven choices, a single control dial, and fewer customizable buttons.

In real-world shooting, this means Sony’s A37 invites you to learn and experiment with photographic parameters actively; Olympus VG-110 is more about grabbing shots fast and simple, with automation taking the wheel.

What’s Behind the Lens: Sensor Size and Image Quality

The heart of any digital camera is its sensor, and the difference here couldn’t be starker.

The Olympus VG-110 employs a relatively tiny 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm, providing about 12 megapixels resolution. Its sensor area totals roughly 28.07 mm² - a classic compact camera sensor size. Conversely, the Sony A37 sports a significantly larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6mm) with 16 megapixels, totalling a substantial 366.6 mm² sensor area. To put it simply: the Sony's sensor is about 13 times larger in area.

Sensor size directly translates to key image quality parameters - dynamic range, low-light performance, depth-of-field control, and noise handling. Smaller sensors like that of the VG-110 tend to capture less light, suffer from higher noise levels at elevated ISO settings, and have limited scope for creative shallow depth-of-field effects.

On paper and in reality, the Sony A37 delivers superior image quality, with better color depth, richer tones, and improved shadow detail. Its DXO Mark scores reflect this: an overall rating of 75, 23.3 bits color depth, and 12.9 stops dynamic range - respectable even by today’s standards. By comparison, the VG-110 simply hasn’t been tested by DXO, but typical 1/2.3" sensor performance puts its low-light threshold firmly in “throw on the flash” territory, and dynamic range is modest.

In practical shooting, the Sony’s larger sensor excels for skin tones in portraits, rendering fine color gradients smoothly, and retains highlight and shadow details in challenging exposures. The Olympus often clips highlights under harsh sunlight and loses shadow detail.

Seeing Through the Lens: Viewfinder and LCD Comparisons

If you’re looking through a camera’s “eyes,” your experience can swamp the actual sensor bits. The Olympus VG-110 offers no viewfinder - no electronic or optical - only a fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCD at 230k-dot resolution. The Sony A37 counters this with a 0.5-inch electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasting 1,440k dots at 100% coverage and 0.73x magnification, plus a slightly smaller, but tilting 2.6 inch LCD with the same resolution.

What does this mean in everyday use? The Olympus’ LCD is adequate for casual framing but struggles in bright sunlight due to its lower brightness and non-articulating design - bad news if you fancy low-angle or overhead shots. You are stuck holding the camera waist-high or eye-level.

The Sony’s EVF, a feature inherited from its translucent mirror tech, transforms composition. It provides a bright, accurate preview unaffected by lighting conditions, showing exposure settings and focus peaking live. The tilting LCD adds compositional freedom and makes it easier to shoot from awkward angles. For video shooters and creative photographers alike, such flexibility is a boon.

Focusing on What Matters: Autofocus Systems and Speed

One of the biggest evolutionary steps from compact cameras to DSLRs is autofocus (AF) sophistication.

The Olympus VG-110 uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and multi-area focusing but lacks phase detection elements. It’s primarily single-shot (no continuous AF during shooting or video). With no manual focus option, you’re at the mercy of the camera’s AF algorithms.

The Sony A37 boasts a hybrid autofocus system using both phase detection and contrast detection with 15 AF points, including 3 cross-type sensors situated centrally. Continuous AF tracking is supported, improving capturing fast-moving subjects like kids, pets, or sports. It also supports manual focus with focus peaking to highlight sharp areas visually.

Practically, this means the Sony handles action and variable lighting more competently. The Olympus occasionally hunts in low light and may miss fast subjects. On sports or wildlife outings, the A37 is noticeably more reliable - and with a burst shooting speed of 6 fps versus the Olympus’ no continuous shooting, it’s a clear choice for action photography.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Versus Interchangeable

One unavoidable distinction - The Olympus VG-110 sports a fixed lens with a 27-108mm (35mm equivalent) zoom, a 4x range, and max aperture varying from F2.9 to F6.5. Its macro mode allows focus as close as 1cm - a nice feature for casual close-ups.

The Sony A37 uses the Sony Minolta Alpha mount with compatibility to a thriving ecosystem of 143 native lenses of all types - primes, zooms, macros, fish-eyes, and super telephotos. With the APS-C crop factor of 1.5x, lenses like a 50mm become roughly 75mm field of view.

This opens vast creative avenues. Want to shoot portraits with buttery-full bokeh? There are plenty of fast primes. Wildlife? Towering supertelephoto lenses await. Landscape? Megapixel-rich ultra-wides. The Olympus’ single lens limits you essentially to medium zoom versatility.

How Do These Cameras Handle Different Photography Genres?

Having laid the technical groundwork, it’s time to dive into how each performs across the most popular photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

The Sony A37’s APS-C sensor delivers creamy bokeh and accurate skin tones thanks to its larger sensor area and wider aperture lens availability. Its face detection AF, and manual focus abilities help nail sharp eyes with ease. The VG-110 can do portraits but struggles to isolate subjects against backgrounds because of the small sensor and slower aperture at telephoto end. Skin tones may look flatter or noisier at rates beyond ISO 400.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes demanding high dynamic range and detail, the Sony again shines. The APS-C sensor captures subtle tonal gradations - clouds with texture, shadows with detail - and the system’s compatibility with high-quality wide lenses means sharp corners and excellent framing flexibility. The Olympus’ limited sensor size and lens sharpness are sufficient for casual shots but will disappoint enthusiasts wanting large prints or complex post-edit recovery from shadows and highlights.

Wildlife Photography

The Olympus VG-110’s slow AF and lack of burst mode make wildlife photography an uphill battle. With fixed zoom and maximum F6.5 at long end, it’s not ideal for subjects at a distance.

Sony A37, equipped with phase detection AF, fast continuous shooting (6 fps), and access to supertelephoto lenses, is far better suited. While not a pro-level flagship, it’s a competent backup or entry system for birdwatching and modest wildlife safaris.

Sports Photography

Tracking rapid motions and unpredictable subjects require fast AF and burst rates - areas where Sony A37 outperforms by miles. The 6 fps frame rate and phase detection AF provide usable sequences that catch peak action moments.

Olympus VG-110’s lack of continuous shooting makes it impractical for such scenarios.

Street Photography

Street shooters seek discretion, portability, and decent low-light performance. VG-110’s tiny size is appealing here, as it’s less conspicuous and easier to carry all day. However, its limited low light ISO ceiling (1600 max native) and slower lens at the long end are drawbacks.

Sony A37 is bulkier and louder (especially the traditional shutter sounds), but its superior image quality and low-light prowess can be advantageous in dim cityscapes or night markets. It’s a trade-off - inconspicuous vs. performance.

Macro Photography

Close focusing capability is better served by the Olympus with 1cm macro focusing distance. The Sony can achieve impressive macro shots if paired with a dedicated macro lens, but that’s an additional investment and bulk.

If you love spontaneous close-ups of flowers or insects without gear swaps, the VG-110’s fixed lens macro comes in handy.

Night and Astro Photography

Sony A37’s sensor size and impressive ISO range (up to 25600) lend themselves well to low light and astrophotography. Its longer shutter speeds and manual exposures provide creative control. The Olympus caps at ISO 1600 and slower shutter speeds max out at 1/4 second (min 4 seconds shutter speed?), limiting star trails or long exposures. Noise reduction at higher ISO is less effective due to sensor tech.

Video Capabilities

The VG-110 provides basic video recording at 640x480 pixels (VGA) max, limited frame rates, and no external mic input. It’s suitable for casual clips but not for serious videography.

Sony A37 supports full HD 1920x1080 video at 60 fps, various codecs (MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264), and offers microphone input, HDMI output for external monitors, and better manual control over exposure during video. It’s clearly aimed at hybrid shooters who want solid stills and video on one device.

Travel Photography

Here the Olympus’ diminutive size and weight are stellar advantages. Throw it in a jacket pocket and shoot spontaneously. Battery life is unfortunately limited (about 170 shots per charge), so carry spares.

Sony’s sturdier battery life (about 500 shots per charge), bigger sensor, and lens flexibility provide more creative freedom, but at the expense of bulk and weight. If you’re hiking or backpacking ultra-light, the VG-110’s small form is appealing. For more planned travel with varied scenarios, the Sony is preferable.

Professional Work

Sony’s RAW support, manual exposure modes, wide lens compatibility, and higher overall image quality open the door to professional workflows, including tethered shooting, extensive post-processing, and client-ready results.

Olympus VG-110’s lack of RAW, limited manual controls, and fixed lens confine it to casual or secondary usage only.

Beyond Specs: Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Connectivity

Neither camera offers significant weather sealing or rugged protections, so outdoor users must exercise caution in harsh conditions.

Connectivity-wise, both cameras have USB 2.0, but the Sony A37 adds HDMI output and supports Eye-Fi wireless cards - not built-in Wi-Fi though. Olympus VG-110 lacks wireless and HDMI, restricting direct connectivity options. Both have single SD card slots and basic battery types: Li-ion packs (VG-110's LI-70B and A37's NP-FW50).

How They Perform in Real-World Use: Sample Shots and Scores

To really get a feel for the cameras’ output, reviewing sample shots captured side-by-side helps enormously.

Olympus VG 110 front Olympus VG 110 screen back Sony A37 front Sony A37 screen back

The Sony A37’s images boast superior sharpness, cleaner shadows, and more natural colors across varied lighting conditions. The Olympus captures decent images in good light but struggles under dim conditions, with visible noise and weaker color fidelity. Portraits look flat against the richer tonality of the Sony shots.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the overall performance based on real-world testing and benchmark scores:

The Sony’s clear dominance is visible, supported by DxOMark metrics and on-ground handling.

Looking into genre-specific strengths:

Summing Up: Which Camera Should You Buy?

Olympus VG-110 – The Compact Minimalist

• Best for absolute beginners or casual shooters desiring a straightforward point & shoot that fits anywhere and does macro.
• Excellent for grab-and-go travel snapshots where carrying capacity is critical.
• Not recommended for serious photography, manual control needs, or high-quality output.
• Budget-friendly (~$150), but technology and support are dated.

Sony SLT-A37 – The Versatile Contender

• Suited for enthusiasts and budding professionals wanting hands-on creative controls, RAW workflow, and video capabilities.
• Great for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and sports with decent autofocus, burst speed, and lens ecosystem.
• Larger and heavier, but balances portability and performance well for its category.
• Requires investment in lenses for full potential; priced at mid-$500 range at launch - likely less on the used market.

Final Thoughts: Experience and Expertise Speak Louder Than Specs

I’ve long argued that camera choice is intensely personal and subjective - the gear must fit you and your unique shooting style. The Olympus VG-110 seduces the casual snappers with its pocketability but quickly shows its limits under creative demands.

The Sony A37 is a gateway to the DSLR world with all its joys and responsibilities - manual controls to master, lenses to explore, and skills to refine. The jump from ultracompact to APS-C SLR isn’t just about larger sensor or more buttons; it’s about embracing photography as a craft, not just a moment capture.

If your budget is tight and you want a camera for basic family memories, Olympus gets the job done with minimal fuss. If you’re hungry for growth, creative exploration, and higher image quality - invest in Sony A37 or its successors.

Whichever route you pick, here’s a takeaway based on my tests: strive for the camera that inspires you to make more pictures, more stories, and more memories - because that’s what truly matters.

Happy shooting - and may your next camera be the start of many great adventures!