Clicky

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60
Sony SLT-A37 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
86
Overall
67

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed May 2012
  • Old Model is Sony A35
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Revealed May 2020
  • Renewed by Sony ZV-1 II
Photography Glossary

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Sony A37 versus Sony ZV-1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both are created by Sony. The resolution of the A37 (16MP) and the ZV-1 (20MP) is very similar but the A37 (APS-C) and ZV-1 (1") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The A37 was released 9 years prior to the ZV-1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the A37 scores versus the ZV-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Sony ZV-1

 A37 ZV-1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Sony A37

 ZV-1 A37 
RevealedMay 2020May 2012Newer by 97 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display size3"2.6"Larger display (+0.4")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A37 and Sony ZV-1

 A37 ZV-1 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and size. The Sony A37 has external measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs) while the Sony ZV-1 has specifications of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") and a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Check out the Sony A37 versus Sony ZV-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the A37 versus the ZV-1.

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A37 and ZV-1 is 67 and 88 respectively.

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The pic underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A37 and ZV-1.

Clearly, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A37 featuring a larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Sony ZV-1 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged A37 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A37 Portrait photography features
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography features
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
73
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A37
Street photography with Sony ZV-1
77
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
above average high ISO (25,600)
85
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
boasts touch focus
lighter than others (294 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Sony A37 as a Sports photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Sports photography camera
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery life (500 shots)
71
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (24.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
has tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A37
Travel photography with Sony ZV-1
54
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery life (500 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
81
lighter than others (294 grams)
has bluetooth
boasts touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Sony A37 Landscape photography advice
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography advice
64
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.6")
bad battery life (500 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
70
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
terrible battery (260 per charge)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A37 as a Vlogging camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Vlogging camera
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
86
reasonably wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone port
lighter than others (294g)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sony A37 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A37 and Sony ZV-1
 Sony SLT-A37Sony ZV-1
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony SLT-A37 Sony ZV-1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-05-16 2020-05-27
Body design Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4912 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 15 315
Cross focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Max aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.6" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.73x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 24.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 506 gr (1.12 lbs) 294 gr (0.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 75 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 799 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photos 260 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $522 $750