• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony A37 advantages over Canon SL1

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More dynamic range
    12.8 vs 11.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More cross-type AF points
    3 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.11 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More AF points
    15 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.5 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon SL1 advantages over Sony A37

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    1140 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).

  • Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A35

Sony A37
Sony A35
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
Canon SL1
Sony A35
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony A57

Sony A37
Sony A57
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher-res screen
Canon SL1
Sony A57
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A37
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon SL1
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A58

Sony A37
Sony A58
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher-res screen
Canon SL1
Sony A58
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Sony A37
Pentax K-S1
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon SL1
Pentax K-S1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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