• APS-H 525.5mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Canon 1D Mark III advantages over Sony A37

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-H vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.23 vs 4.82 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.10 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,078 vs 799 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2200 vs 450 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    19 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/300 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A37 advantages over Canon 1D Mark III

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $4500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    12 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.58x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3100

Canon 1D Mark III
Nikon D3100
  • $4500
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Sony A37
Nikon D3100
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A35

Canon 1D Mark III
Sony A35
  • $4500
  • APS-H
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A37
Sony A35
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Sony A57

Canon 1D Mark III
Sony A57
  • $4500
  • APS-H
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony A37
Sony A57
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon 1D Mark III
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $4500
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A37
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon T5i

Canon 1D Mark III
Canon T5i
  • $4500
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Sony A37
Canon T5i
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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