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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5T
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
  • Old Model is Sony A35
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both offered by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-5R (16MP) and the A37 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The NEX-5R was introduced 4 months after the A37 and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the NEX-5R scores versus the A37 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony A37

 NEX-5R A37 
Screen dimension3"2.6"Bigger screen (+0.4")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Sony NEX-5R

 A37 NEX-5R 

Common features in the Sony NEX-5R and Sony A37

 NEX-5R A37 
AnnouncedAugust 2012May 2012Similar age
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Sony NEX-5R enjoys outer dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs) and the Sony A37 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

See the Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the NEX-5R against the A37.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-5R and A37 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes only by reading through specifications. The pic here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5R and A37.

Plainly, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels and you can expect similar quality of files but you should factor the age of the products into consideration.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography highlights
Sony A37 Portrait photography highlights
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Street photography factors
Sony A37 Street photography factors
80
tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
features focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
77
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Sports photography features
Sony A37 Sports photography features
68
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low battery (500 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Travel photography details
Sony A37 Travel photography details
73
features focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
54
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low battery (500 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography highlights
Sony A37 Landscape photography highlights
75
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
64
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.6")
low battery (500 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Vlogging features
Sony A37 Vlogging features
31
has touchscreen
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing mic jack
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5R and Sony A37
 Sony Alpha NEX-5RSony SLT-A37
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5R Sony SLT-A37
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-08-29 2012-05-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4912 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 99 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 121 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.6 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD 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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 276 grams (0.61 lbs) 506 grams (1.12 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 78 75
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 12.9
DXO Low light score 910 799
Other
Battery life 330 photos 500 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $750 $522