Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A37

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A37

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.1 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-5N Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-5N.

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.

Succeeded by the Sony NEX-5R
Compare NEX-5N vs NEX-5R
Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A37

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Sony A37

Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NEX-5N test data on DxO Mark A37 test data on DxO Mark

1,079 vs 799 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
38 mm vs 84 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
465g vs 726g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 5.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Sony A37 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

Less expensive
$600 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Similarities

Common Strengths

In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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

Buy From

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Buy the Sony NEX-5N

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A37

Review Excerpt

Fast autofocus and prefocused shutter lag; Quieter shutter sound; Captures 10 frames per second; Supports AVCHD 2.0.
Limited first-party lens selection; Slow and confusing on-screen user interface; top-mounted, proprietary accessories are quite pricey.
Read our Sony NEX-5N Review

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A37.
Read our Sony A37 Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-3

$700
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-3

Sony A37

Sony NEX-3

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$600
APS-C

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Sony A37 vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-C3

$700
APS-C

Shoots 24p video
Shoots 1080p video

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-C3

Sony A37

Sony NEX-C3

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$559
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Thinner

Compare Sony A37 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony A57

Sony NEX-5N

Sony A57

$700
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Thinner

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A57

Sony A37

Sony A57

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

$800
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Higher-res screen

Compare Sony A37 vs Sony A57

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5R

$700
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-5R

Sony A37

Sony NEX-5R

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A37 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony NEX-5N

Pentax K-5 IIs

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A37

Pentax K-5 IIs

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A37 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

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