Introduction
Sony’s Alpha 37 is the latest camera to sit in the company’s entry-level DSLT lineup.
DSLT (or Single Lens Translucent) cameras incorporate Translucent Mirror Technology, a semi-transparent mirror that enables light to be split between the CMOS sensor and the separate AF sensor.
The benefits of this are speedy, full-time phase-detection autofocus and fast continuous shooting rates.
Having been around for a little while, Sony’s concept is quite well bedded-in now and is beginning to have an impact on consumers looking to purchase their first interchangeable lens camera.
A number of improvements have been made to the Sony a37, when comparing with its Sony Alpha 35 predecessor.
First up is the newly designed 16.1 million pixel sensor, which now combines with the latest Bionz processor to deliver ISO 100-16,000 sensitivity capability and Full HD video recording.
A 15-point AF system includes three cross sensors, with enhanced object tracking and Quick AF modes.
A tiltable screen is now available on the Sony Alpha 37, alongside the 100 per cent field of view optical viewfinder.
Auto portrait framing, a feature first debuted in the Sony a57, is now included in the entry-level range. This works by cropping an image in post-production to give what the camera considers to be a better composition. The original image is also saved, should you wish to make your own crop.
Clear Zoom technology is also included. This is a form of digital zoom, but Sony promises that By Pixel Resolution technology keeps image quality at a premium and maintains image size.
In terms of aesthetic changes, there is little to talk about – although minor ergonomic changes see a slightly redesigned handgrip and repositioning of some key buttons.
In live view mode Sony’s DSLT cameras use phase-detection autofocus, as opposed to contrast detection, which Sony says gives Alpha cameras more accurate and precise continuous autofocusing.
Coupled with this, the Sony a37 is also able to offer up to 7fps shooting in high speed shooting mode.
Build quality and handling
There’s little aesthetically different about the Sony a37 when it is compared to its predecessor, aside from the fact that it is slightly lighter.
It features a plastic outer shell with a rubberised coating, which feels as if it can withstand some knocks and scrapes.
A large handgrip is provided for comfortable purchase and on the whole the camera feels well-balanced. This is something that Sony says has been slightly altered, but the change is so minimal that we were unable to really notice much of a difference.
The controls and layout of the menus and buttons remain largely the same, again with some very slight changes. Anybody familiar with any of the cameras in Sony’s other ranges will feel comfortable working with this.
Since this is a DSLT, it uses an electronic, rather than optical, viewfinder. There is a button to switch between the LCD and viewfinder, although there’s also an automatic detector for sensing when the camera has been lifted to the eye. This switches off the rear LCD screen and switches to the EVF so it’s ready for action when you need it.
The EVF itself offers a handy 100 per cent field of view, and is clear and bright. It won’t be favoured by sticklers for optical viewfinders, but it does a pretty good job.
As on the Sony Alpha 33, the Sony Alpha 37′s top panel is home to a mode dial, which is stacked with an array of automatic and scene modes. This includes Sony’s proprietary Sweep Panorama mode and 3D options.
On the back of the camera, a Fn button can be pushed to bring up a list of commonly used settings and features. Here you can access autofocus options, such as changing from automatic Multi-Zone selection to a single point.
Unfortunately, should you want to change the focus point, there’s no quick way to do this – you’ll have to dive into this Fn menu every time, a little bugbear that more advanced users may find niggling.
The Sony a35 features a fixed LCD screen, whereas the Sony a33 had a vari-angle version. Perhaps Sony received feedback that indicated that this was missed, because a tilting version can be found on the Sony a37.
Although not quite as versatile as a fully articulating screen, it does offer some benefit when shooting from high or low angles. The screen seemed bright and not prone to reflections, but this needs further testing in bright sunlight.
Early verdict
It is of course difficult to give any full verdicts on a camera when image quality isn’t yet available for review.
However, initial impressions of the Sony Alpha 37, like its predecessor, are very good.
Our time with the camera indicated that its autofocus performance was fast and accurate, something we’ll be keen to fully put through its paces when we get a full production DSLT in for review.
There’s a number of interesting features that we’ll be keen to analyse further, such as how the camera performs at high sensitivities and the accuracy of the Auto Portrait framing mode.
For beginners, there’s an awful lot of choice out there at the moment. Sony’s approach to capturing this very lucrative market is unique, and one of the most interesting options for novices.
There’s a lot to tempt those users, and as the number of lenses and accessories for Alpha cameras increases, we can see the system continuing to grow its market share – something that Nikon and Canon must surely be keenly aware of.
In terms of competition, the Sony a37 goes head-to-head with the Canon EOS 1100D and recently launched Nikon D3200.
Although perhaps not quite as friendly to beginners as the Nikon D3200, other features – such as Full HD video recording, ISO sensitivity up to 16,000 and 7fps are features that are more commonly found in more premium models.
At its current price point of £530 in the UK and $ 599 in the US, the Sony Alpha 37 costs the same as the newly announced Sony NEX-F3 compact system camera. So it will be interesting to see how Sony markets both of these devices – especially since the potential audience is likely to be very similar for both.
Look out for a full review of the Sony A37 in due course.
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Tags: Alpha, HandsOn, Review, Sony
