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Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Samsung SL820 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 Key Specs

Samsung SL820
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 168g - 95 x 59 x 23mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as IT100
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
  • Announced May 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A35
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Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SL820 (12MP) and A37 (16MP) and the SL820 (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The SL820 was revealed 4 years prior to the A37 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung SL820 being a Compact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SL820 grades vs the A37 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung SL820 over the Sony A37

 SL820 A37 
Screen sizing3"2.6"Bigger screen (+0.4")

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Samsung SL820

 A37 SL820 
AnnouncedMay 2012February 2009More recent by 39 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Samsung SL820 and Sony A37

 SL820 A37 
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung SL820 comes with exterior measurements of 95mm x 59mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony A37 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Compare the Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SL820 and the A37.

Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SL820 and A37 is 94 and 67 respectively.

Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to see the gap in sensor measurements merely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SL820 and A37.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SL820 using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony A37 will show more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older SL820 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung SL820
Portrait photography with Sony A37
26
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung SL820 as a Street photography camera
Sony A37 as a Street photography camera
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
77
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung SL820
Sports photography with Sony A37
17
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
low battery life (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung SL820 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A37 as a Travel photography camera
57
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
54
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery life (500 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung SL820 Landscape photography factors
Sony A37 Landscape photography factors
32
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
64
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.6 inches)
low battery life (500 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung SL820
Vlogging with Sony A37
28
fairly wide (28mm)
comes with face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Samsung SL820 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL820 and Sony A37
 Samsung SL820Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung SL820 Sony SLT-A37
Also called as IT100 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-02-17 2012-05-16
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.4-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 2.6"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate - 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.50 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Auto & Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Fix Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 168 gr (0.37 pounds) 506 gr (1.12 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 59 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 500 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $280 $522