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Pentax Q vs Sony A37

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39
Pentax Q front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
65
Overall
59

Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Key Specs

Pentax Q
(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
Sony A37
(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
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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.

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The 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

        

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony A37

 Q A37 
Display sizing3"2.6"Larger display (+0.4")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Pentax Q

 A37 Q 
RevealedMay 2012June 2011Fresher by 10 months
Display typeTiltingFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax Q vs Sony A37 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Q and A37 is 93 and 67 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q
Portrait photography with Sony A37
45
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
73
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q Street photography advice
Sony A37 Street photography advice
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors (180 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
77
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography details
Sony A37 Sports photography details
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low battery life (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
Sony A37 as a Travel photography camera
57
lighter than competitors (180g)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low battery life (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
54
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery life (500 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Q
Landscape photography with Sony A37
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 shots)
no Timelapse mode
64
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.6 inches)
low battery life (500 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
Sony A37 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (180g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no microphone support
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Pentax Q vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony A37
 Pentax QSony 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