Alpha SLT-A37

Released May 2012

A 16.1 MP APS-C A-mount camera with a fixed translucent mirror, tilting screen and continuous phase-detection movie autofocus.

Type: Translucent mirror
Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 16.1
Lens: Sony A-mount
Video: 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Body weight: 448 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praised still and video quality, the controls and fast shooting, while criticising the small, low-resolution screen. PhotographyBlog found the viewfinder strong in dim light; Expert Reviews saw it struggle there. Expert Reviews also found lens correction reduced burst endurance, while PhotographyBlog noted video focus jumps and lens noise.

From photographyblog.com and expertreviews.co.uk

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Translucent mirror
Sensor format: APS-C
Sensor type: Exmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions: 23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution: 16.1 MP
Largest image: 4912 × 3264
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 100–16000
Sensor detail: 16.5 million total photosites; fixed translucent mirror feeds the dedicated phase-detection AF module while the main sensor supplies live view
Image formats: JPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG and 3D panorama MPO; 3:2 or 16:9 stills
ISO detail: Auto ISO 100–3200; standard ISO 100–16000; multi-frame noise reduction extends to ISO 25600; movies ISO 100–3200
Image processor: BIONZ

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Sony A-mount
Stabilisation: Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst: 5.5 fps
Lens detail: Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount AF lenses; kit lenses are separate from body specifications
Autofocus: 15 phase-detection points including three cross sensors; AF-S, AF-A, AF-C and manual focus; EV −1–18 at ISO 100 with an F2.8 lens; zone/local selection, tracking AF and flash AF assist
Shutter: 1/4000–30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second; electronic first curtain selectable
Burst detail: Full-resolution continuous shooting up to 5.5 fps Hi or 2.5 fps Lo; Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE reaches 7 fps with central crop to 8.4 MP JPEG. Maker ordinary Hi buffer: 15 Fine or 16 Standard JPEG, seven RAW or six RAW+JPEG; cropped mode 17 Fine or 18 Standard JPEG. Performance depends on card and shooting conditions
Stabilisation detail: SteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift for stills, maker claim approximately 2.5–4 stops; electronic stabilisation for movies
Flash: Automatic pop-up flash, guide number 10 metres at ISO 100; ADI/pre-flash TTL; compatible external flash required for wireless and high-speed sync
Exposure controls: PASM, Intelligent Auto, Superior Auto, scene and panorama modes; 1200-zone metering; ±3 EV compensation in 1/3 steps; D-Range Optimizer, Auto HDR, Picture Effects and Auto Portrait Framing

Video

Highest video resolution: 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Video detail: Japan/NTSC configuration: Full HD AVCHD 2.0 at 60 interlaced fields per second with 30 fps sensor output, or 24p, at approximately 24 or 17 Mbps. PAL models use 50i with 25 fps sensor output or 25p. No 50p/60p Full HD. MP4 up to 1440 × 1080 at 30 fps; main rate is sensor output, not interlaced field rate. Maker continuous limit approximately 29 minutes or 2 GB. Movie A/S/M exposure requires manual focus; phase-detection AF uses automatic exposure
Audio: Built-in stereo microphone and mono playback speaker; external microphone input

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Electronic
Screen size: 2.7″
Screen dots: 230,400
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: Yes
Display detail: Clear Photo LCD tilts approximately 135° upwards or 55° downwards; dots count colour subpixels; focus peaking and magnification
Viewfinder detail: 0.46-type SVGA Tru-Finder, 100% coverage; 1,440,000 effective dots at maximum magnification (1.19× with 50 mm lens), or 1,253,280 at standard magnification (1.09×)

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 450 photographs
Body weight: 448 g
Release detail: Sony Spain states availability from mid-May 2012; Sony Japan states 15 June 2012. May follows the earliest maker-stated regional retail timing
Recording media: Single slot accepting SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo
Ports: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and wired remote inputs; Auto-lock accessory shoe; no infrared remote
Battery life detail: NP-FW50; maker CIPA claim approximately 450 photographs with viewfinder or 500 with LCD
Charging: Supplied BC-VW1 external charger; no in-body charging
Dimensions: Approximately 124.4 × 92 × 84.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detail: Approximately 448 g body only, 506 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo
Colours: Black
In the box: NP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, shoulder strap, body cap, eyepiece cup, USB cable and software CD; lenses depend on kit

Pros and cons

Pros

Phase-detection autofocus during stills and movies
Sensor-shift still-image stabilisation and RAW recording
Tilting screen and electronic viewfinder

Cons

Low-resolution rear screen
Fastest 7 fps mode crops to 8.4 MP

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyAlpha SLT-A57	Translucent mirror	APS-C	16.1	Sony A-mount	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	539 g	Apr 2012
SonyAlpha SLT-A35	Translucent mirror	APS-C	16.2	Sony A-mount	1920 × 1080 at 25 fps	415 g	Jul 2011
SonyAlpha SLT-A58	Translucent mirror	APS-C	20.1	Sony A-mount	1920 × 1080 at 30 fps	492 g	Apr 2013

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

Sony SLT-A37 product view with DT 18-55mm kit lens.: sony.jp/products/picture/SLT-A37K.jpg
Sony SLT-A37 side product view.: sony.jp/products/picture/SLT-A37_side.jpg
Sony SLT-A37 rear view with display opened.: sony.jp/products/picture/SLT-A37_rear.jpg
Sony SLT-A37 rear view with display at another angle.: sony.jp/products/picture/SLT-A37_rear_2.jpg
Sony SLT-A37 front product view with lens.: sony.jp/products/picture/SLT-A37_2.jpg

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