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Sony RX1 vs Sony A37

Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
57
Overall
64
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 Key Specs

Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Revealed February 2013
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
  • Succeeded the Sony A35
Photography Glossary

Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Sony RX1 vs Sony A37, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both sold by Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the RX1 (24MP) and A37 (16MP) and the RX1 (Full frame) and A37 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The RX1 was introduced 10 months later than the A37 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the RX1 grades against the A37 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Sony A37

 RX1 A37 
RevealedFebruary 2013May 2012Fresher by 10 months
Display sizing3"2.6"Larger display (+0.4")
Display resolution1229k230kClearer display (+999k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Sony RX1

 A37 RX1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Sony RX1 and Sony A37

 RX1 A37 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Sony RX1 features outside dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs) while the Sony A37 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the RX1 against the A37.

Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the RX1 and A37 is 79 and 67 respectively.

Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the RX1 and A37.

Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The RX1 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Sony RX1 will show more detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The fresher RX1 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX1 Portrait photography features
Sony A37 Portrait photography features
82
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/4,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
74
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony RX1 Street photography information
Sony A37 Street photography information
66
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (482g)
77
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A37 as a Sports photography camera
53
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
fixed focal length (35mm)
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (270 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony RX1 Travel photography details
Sony A37 Travel photography details
62
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (270 per charge)
more heavy than competition (482g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
54
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (500 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX1 Landscape photography advice
Sony A37 Landscape photography advice
65
focusing manually
good max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (270 shots)
missing Timelapse function
64
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.6")
terrible battery (500 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A37 as a Vlogging camera
34
good max aperture (f2.0)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (482 grams)
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Sony RX1 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX1 and Sony A37
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 Sony SLT-A37
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-02-19 2012-05-16
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 852.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 25 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35mm (1x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.0-22.0 -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 2.6"
Screen resolution 1,229k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Xtra FineTFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic and Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/4000 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 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, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 482 grams (1.06 lb) 506 grams (1.12 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 93 75
DXO Color Depth rating 25.1 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.3 12.9
DXO Low light rating 2534 799
Other
Battery life 270 shots 500 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-BX1 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $2,798 $522