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Pentax KP vs Sony A37

Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70
Pentax KP front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
65
Overall
59

Pentax KP vs Sony A37 Key Specs

Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Revealed January 2017
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
  • Launched May 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A35
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Pentax KP vs Sony A37 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Pentax KP vs Sony A37, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the KP (24MP) and A37 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The KP was announced 4 years later than the A37 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the KP matches up against the A37 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Sony A37

 KP A37 
LaunchedJanuary 2017May 2012More recent by 58 months
Screen sizing3"2.6"Bigger screen (+0.4")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Pentax KP

 A37 KP 

Common features in the Pentax KP and Sony A37

 KP A37 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax KP vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax KP enjoys external dimensions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Sony A37 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Examine the Pentax KP vs Sony A37 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the KP versus the A37.

Pentax KP vs Sony A37 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the KP and A37 is 61 and 67 respectively.

Pentax KP vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Pentax KP vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the KP and A37.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax KP to offer greater detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer KP should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax KP vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Pentax KP vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax KP vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax KP Portrait photography information
Sony A37 Portrait photography information
80
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax KP Street photography highlights
Sony A37 Street photography highlights
76
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
great ISO range (819,200)
77
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax KP as a Sports photography camera
Sony A37 as a Sports photography camera
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
silent shooting (1/24,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
low battery (390 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
terrible battery (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax KP Travel photography information
Sony A37 Travel photography information
61
environment proof
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery (390 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax KP Landscape photography highlights
Sony A37 Landscape photography highlights
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great ISO range (819,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
low battery (390 CIPA)
64
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.6 inches)
terrible battery (500 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax KP Vlogging info
Sony A37 Vlogging info
34
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Pentax KP vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KP and Sony A37
 Pentax KPSony SLT-A37
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax KP Sony SLT-A37
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2017-01-26 2012-05-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME IV -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 819200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 27 15
Cross focus points 25 3
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 2.6"
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/24000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 703g (1.55 pounds) 506g (1.12 pounds)
Dimensions 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 799
Other
Battery life 390 photos 500 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch cost $747 $522