• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A37 advantages over Nikon S800c

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 450 vs 140 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S800c advantages over Sony A37

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher-res screen
    273k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S800c

Review Excerpt

  • Compact body; Powerful zoom lens; Fast autofocus; Generous internal memory; Android operating system; Huge selection of available apps.

  • Strong division between camera, Android features; Lens defects at wide and tele; Issues with stability; Display hard to see outdoors; Poor battery life; Very limited burst shooting depth.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax RZ10

Sony A37
Pentax RZ10
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $177
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Nikon S800c
Pentax RZ10
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $177
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A35

Sony A37
Sony A35
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
Nikon S800c
Sony A35
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A57

Sony A37
Sony A57
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher-res screen
Nikon S800c
Sony A57
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A37
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon S800c
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Sony A37
Samsung WB50F
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon S800c
Samsung WB50F
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Compare Other Cameras?