Sony NEX-7 vs Sony A37

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony NEX-7 vs Sony A37

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-7.

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.

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Differences

Sony NEX-7 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-7 test data on DxO Mark A37 test data on DxO Mark

1,016 vs 799 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
42 mm vs 84 mm
Thinner
Higher-res screen
307k vs 77k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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)
Bigger JPEG buffer
18 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A37 advantages over Sony NEX-7

Less expensive
$600 vs $1350 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.82 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read NEX-7 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A37 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony NEX-7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Sony A37

Review Excerpt

24.3-megapixel sensor with excellent image quality; Small body; Exceptional user interface; Full HD 60p video; Electronic viewfinder and flash are built-in.
No Mode dial; Flash sync is a touch slow; No UHS-I card support; Needs a better kit lens to match the sensor quality.
Read our Sony NEX-7 Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX200

$1248
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Samsung NX200

Sony A37

Samsung NX200

$600
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Sony A37 vs Samsung NX200

Compared to Sony A57

Sony NEX-7

Sony A57

$1248
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Thinner

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-7 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 Fujifilm X-E1

Sony NEX-7

Fujifilm X-E1

$1248
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Sony A37

Fujifilm X-E1

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1299
APS-C

Thinner
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A37 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony NEX-7

Pentax K-5 IIs

$1248
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-7 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

Compared to Samsung NX300

Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX300

$1248
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$1200
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Samsung NX300

Sony A37

Samsung NX300

$600
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1200
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A37 vs Samsung NX300

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