- 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.
- 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
- 16.1 megapixels
- 23.00mm - 900.00mm (35mm eq.)
- Go in depth with our full Nikon B500 Review.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | Compare Prices | |
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Nikon L840
L840 vs B500 |
|
| Successor: |
Nikon B600
B500 vs B600 |
|
| General | ||
| Model Number: | A37 | B500 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | SLR | Mid-Sized |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | Yes |
| Retail Price: | $599.99 | $299.95 |
| Street Price: | $321.95 | |
| Date Available: | 2012-06-15 | 2016-04-15 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
25.6 oz
(726 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
19.1 oz
(541 g)
includes batteries |
| Size: |
4.9 x
3.6 x
3.3 in. (124 x 92 x 85 mm) |
4.5 x
3.1 x
3.8 in. (114 x 78 x 96 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | |
| Effective Megapixels: | 16.1 | 16.1 |
| Sensor Format: | APS-C | 1/2.3 inch |
| Sensor size: | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) | 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 4.82 microns | 1.34 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.5x | n/a |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:2 | 4:3 |
| Color Filter Type: | 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) |
4608 x 3456
(15.9 MP,
4:3), 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3), 2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3), 1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3), 640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3), 4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9), 3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG | JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 5.5 | 7.4 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60i(FH)/24p(FX)/24p(FH))
1440x1080 (30p) 640x480 (30p) |
1920x1080 (60i/50i/30p/25p)
1280x720 (30p/25p) 640x480 (30p/25p) 1920x1080 (15p/12.5p) 640x480 (120p/100p) |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD 1.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC) | MP4 (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo) |
| Composite Video Out: | No | Yes |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | n/a | Yes |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | n/a | |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) | n/a |
| Lens: | Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM | Zoom-Nikkor ED VR; 12 elements in 9 groups including 3 ED elements |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 27 - 83mm | 23 - 900mm |
| Focal Length (actual): | 18 - 55mm | 4 - 160mm |
| Zoom Ratio: | 3.06x | 40.00x |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T) | f/3.0 or f/6.0 (wide) / f/6.5 or f/13 (tele), via electronically controlled ND filter (-2.0 AV) |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity |
30 cm to Infinity 11.8 in to Infinity |
| Macro Focus Range: |
1 cm to Infinity 0.4 in to Infinity |
|
| Filter Thread: | 55.0mm | n/a |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | Yes |
| Digital Zoom: | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Zoom Values: | Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom | Up to 4x; 2x Dynamic Fine Zoom |
| 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 | Contrast Detection: Center, Face priority, Manual with 99 focus areas, Subject tracking, Target Finding AF |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | EVF / LCD | No / 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 | |
| Focus Peaking: | Yes | No |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.73x | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 1.10x | |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | No |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 2.6 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 230,400 dots (76,800 px) | 921,000 dots (307,200 px) |
| Touchscreen: | No | No |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | No | |
| Selfie Screen: | No | |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 11.8x | |
| Top Deck Display: | No | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 16000 | 6400 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 100 | 125 |
| ISO Settings: | Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) | Auto, 125, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200*, 6400*; *Available when using Auto mode |
| 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) | Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 30 sec | 1/1500 - 1 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | No |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot | Matrix, Center-weighted (digital zoom less than 2x), Spot (digital zoom 2X or more) |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority: | Yes | No |
| Shutter Priority: | Yes | No |
| Full Manual Exposure: | Yes | No |
| 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)) | Smart Portrait, Backlighting, Beach, Bird-watching, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Easy Panorama, Fireworks Show, Food, Landscape, Moon, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Scene Auto Selector, Short Movie Show, Snow, Sports, Sunset, Special Effects |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 10 or 2 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off | Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. | n/a |
| Flash Range Description: | Lens dependent | Auto ISO: [W]: 0.5 to 6.9m [T]: 1.5 to 3.5m |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | |
| External Flash Connection: | Hot shoe | n/a |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | No | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | ||
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | No |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG | |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD 1.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC) | MP4 (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo) |
| Included Memory: | 20.0 MB | |
| Included Memory Type: | Internal | |
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | Yes |
| NFC: | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth: | No | Yes |
| Built-In GPS: | No | No |
| Microphone Jack: | Yes | No |
| Headphone Jack: | No | No |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | No |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional Wired (RM-S1AM/RM-L1AM) | Via Wi-Fi |
| Connections (extended): | Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input | Micro (Type-D) HDMI |
| 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 | 7.4 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 10 | 7 |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | ||
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | ||
| 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 | 4 x AA |
| Usable Battery Types: | NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable | Alkaline, Lithium disposables; NiMH rechargeables |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable | 4 x Alkaline AAs |
| Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): | Yes | No |
| 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. | Available in black and red. |
