Sony A37 vs Leica S3 Specifications

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A37 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A37.

Medium format 1,350.0mm²
64.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica S3 Review.

Detailed specifications
Sony Alpha SLT-A37
Leica S3

Links
Prices:
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:		Leica S2 S2 vs S3
Successor:
General
Model Number:	A37	S3
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	SLR	Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured:	No	Yes
Retail Price:	$599.99	$19.00
Street Price:
Date Available:	2012-06-15	2020-03-06
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	25.6 oz (726 g) includes batteries, kit lens	44.4 oz (1,260 g) includes batteries
Size:	4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in. (124 x 92 x 85 mm)	6.3 x 4.7 x 3.1 in. (160 x 120 x 80 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	16.1	64.0
Sensor Format:	APS-C	Medium format
Sensor size:	369.72mm² (23.7mm x 15.6mm)	1350mm² (45.00mm x 30.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	4.82 microns	4.59 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.5x	0.8x
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	3:2
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed	None
Self-Cleaning:	Yes	No
Sensor shift image stabilization:	Yes	No
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:	75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	23.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	12.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	799
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2), 4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9), 3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other), 3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9), 2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other), 2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 3872 x 2160 (8.4 MP, Other), 7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other), 4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)	9800 x 6530 (64.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format:	JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG	JPEG, RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic
Continuous-mode frames/second:	5.5	3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolution:	1920x1080 (60i(FH)/24p(FX)/24p(FH)) 1440x1080 (30p) 640x480 (30p)	4096x2160 (24p) 1920x1080 (30p/25p/24p)
Movie File Format:	AVCHD 1.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)	MOV (motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out:	No	No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	n/a	n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder:	n/a	n/a
HD Video Out:	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection:	HDMI	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Sony Alpha (Minolta A)	Leica S bayonet
Lens:	Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM	n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):	18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:	3.06x
Aperture Range:	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:
Filter Thread:	55.0mm	n/a
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	No
Digital Zoom:	Yes	No
Digital Zoom Values:	Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom	n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking	Phase-detect TTL with central cross-hair sensor: Choice of AFs (single) = Sharpness priority, AFc (continuous) = Shutter release priority, MF (manual), Manual override of automatic setting possible at any time; Contrast detect AF during live view at any point in image
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	No
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	EVF / LCD	Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.15M-dot LCD (380K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.1x magnification, 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter	High eyepoint pentaprism viewfinder, 98% coverage, 0.87x magnification, -3 to +1 diopter correction, interchangeable focusing screen, ground glass screen with microprism ring and split image (standard)
Focus Peaking:	Yes	Yes
EVF Resolution:		n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.73x	1.09x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	1.10x	0.87x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	2.6	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	230,400 dots (76,800 px)	921,600 dots
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	Yes	No
Tilt Swivel Screen:		No
Selfie Screen:		No
Max Playback Zoom:	11.8x
Top Deck Display:	No	Yes

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	16000	50000
Minimum ISO (native):	100	100
ISO Settings:	Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12500, 25000, 50000
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm, Cool, Day, Daylight), Flash, Custom, Color Temp/Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)	Automatic, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, HMI, Fluorescent, Halogen warm, Halogen cool, Flash, Tungsten, Grey card (determined from image), Grey card Live View, Color temperature (Kelvin)
Shutter Speed Range:	1/4000 - 30 sec	1/4000 - 125 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 3.0EV in 0.5EV steps
Metering Modes:	1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot	Multi-segment (5 fields), Center-weighted, Spot (3.5% of image frame)
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:	Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Portrait, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait, Picture Effect (Posterization (color/B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal/Cool), Soft High-key, Soft Focus (Hi/Mid/Lo), HDR Painting (Hi/Mid/Lo), Miniature (7 Settings))
Self Timer:	2 or 10 seconds	2, 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	No
Flash Modes:	Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off	TTL pre-flash metering, with automatic transmission and consideration of sensitivity and set/controlled lens aperture, all exposure modes available, automatic adaptation of flash light component to available light; First or second curtain sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	10.0 m / 32.8 ft.	n/a
Flash Range Description:	Lens dependent	n/a
Max Flash Sync:	1/160	1/125 or 1/1000 depending on lens (shutter type)
Flash Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot shoe	Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:		No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC	CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:		No UHS support
Other Memory:		Dual SD + CF (UDMA7)
Dual Card Slots:	No	Yes
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	Yes
Uncompressed Format:	RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG	RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic
Movie File Format:	AVCHD 1.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)	MOV (motion JPEG)
Included Memory:		No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	Yes
NFC:	No	No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	Yes
Microphone Jack:	Yes	Yes
Headphone Jack:	No	Yes
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 3.0 Super Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant:	Yes	No
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	No
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Optional Wired (RM-S1AM/RM-L1AM)	Cabled or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended):	Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input	Mini HDMI Type C, X-sync, 7-pin LEMO socket for remote accessories, contact strip for multi-function hand grip, audio in (3.5 mm jack) and audio out (3.5 mm jack) with audio adapter S (supplied with the camera)

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	0.47
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	0.45
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):	2
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	5.5	3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	10	Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):		3.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):		6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):	0.11 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.080 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):	0.32 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.057 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):	Full AF lag, Wide-area mode = 0.124s
Startup Time:	0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:	2.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	450 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary	Proprietary 7.4V, 2850mAh
Usable Battery Types:	NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x 7.4V, 2850mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:		No
Internal Charging Supported:		No
Software
Included Software:	Sony Software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:	Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4 EV correction), Full HD 1080i60 Video, Up to 7 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, Auto Portrait Framing.