Pentax Q vs Sony A37
93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39
67 Imaging
56 Features
65 Overall
59
Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
- Launched June 2011
- Refreshed by Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.6" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
- Revealed May 2012
- Older Model is Sony A35
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Overview
In this write-up, we are comparing the Pentax Q versus Sony A37, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the Q (12MP) and A37 (16MP) and the Q (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe Q was unveiled 10 months earlier than the A37 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the Q grades vs the A37 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Photography Glossary Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Q & Sony SLT-A37. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax Q Gallery & Sony A37 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony A37
| Q | A37 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display sizing | 3" | 2.6" | Larger display (+0.4") | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Pentax Q
| A37 | Q | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | May 2012 | June 2011 | Fresher by 10 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony A37
| Q | A37 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial precise focus | |||
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | No Touch display |
Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q comes with exterior dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Sony A37 has dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).
See the Pentax Q versus Sony A37 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the Q versus the A37.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Q and A37 is 93 and 67 respectively.
Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by going over specifications. The visual underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q and A37.
To sum up, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Q having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A37 will deliver more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older Q is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.
Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesStreet Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banSports Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideTravel Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesLandscape Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsVlogging Comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Specifications
| Pentax Q | Sony SLT-A37 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Q | Sony SLT-A37 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2011-06-23 | 2012-05-16 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 25 | 15 |
| Cross focus points | - | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Pentax Q | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Number of lenses | 8 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 2.6 inch |
| Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440 thousand dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames per sec | 6.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.60 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/2000s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 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 support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 180g (0.40 lb) | 506g (1.12 lb) |
| Dimensions | 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 47 | 75 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | 23.3 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 11.1 | 12.9 |
| DXO Low light score | 189 | 799 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 230 images | 500 images |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI68 | NP-FW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Price at release | $695 | $522 |