Sigma SD1 vs Sony A37
77 Imaging
55 Features
43 Overall
50


67 Imaging
56 Features
65 Overall
59
Sigma SD1 vs Sony A37 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 0 - 0
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
- Released September 2010
- Replacement is Sigma SD1 Merrill
(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
- Announced May 2012
- Replaced the Sony A35

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A37 Overview
On this page, we are looking at the Sigma SD1 and Sony A37, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD1 (15MP) and the A37 (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

The SD1 was launched 20 months earlier than the A37 making them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Sigma SD1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going into a full comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SD1 scores against the A37 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A37 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Sigma SD1 & Sony SLT-A37. The complete galleries are provided at Sigma SD1 Gallery & Sony A37 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Sony A37
SD1 | A37 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.6" | Larger display (+0.4") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Sigma SD1
A37 | SD1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | May 2012 | ![]() | September 2010 | More modern by 20 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Sigma SD1 and Sony A37
SD1 | A37 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Sigma SD1 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sigma SD1 offers physical measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony A37 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).
Take a look at the Sigma SD1 and Sony A37 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SD1 against the A37.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD1 and A37 is 77 and 67 respectively.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1 and A37.
As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony A37 to resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 vs Sony A37 Specifications
Sigma SD1 | Sony SLT-A37 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sigma | Sony |
Model type | Sigma SD1 | Sony SLT-A37 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2010-09-21 | 2012-05-16 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Dual True II | - |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 24 x 16mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 384.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4800 x 3200 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | - | 25600 |
Min native ISO | - | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 15 |
Cross type focus points | 2 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Sigma SA | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 76 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.6 inches |
Resolution of screen | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 12.00 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 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 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | - | 506g (1.12 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 75 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.3 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.9 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 799 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 500 shots |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $2,339 | $522 |