Sony recently released a new entry-level DSLR camera. The model replaced the Sony Alpha SLT A33 and Sony Alpha SLT A35 cameras, and was named Sony Alpha SLT A37.
This model uses a new translucent mirror technology, as indicated by the SLT index in the model name. The mirror itself is located between the lens and the matrix, and it reflects 30 percent of the light, and the remaining 70 percent reaches the matrix, this technology has its advantages and disadvantages.
Let's start with the merits. The first thing to note is the high burst shooting speed, which is achieved due to the fact that in a translucent mirror, there is no need to raise and lower the mirror. The shooting speed reaches up to 7 frames per second. The second is the absence of the characteristic sound of the mirror, which makes a click in conventional SLR cameras. Third, the viewfinder captures 100 percent of the frame's view and displays all of the camera's information. Another, perhaps the most important, advantage is the continuous operation of phase detection autofocus, both when photographing and when shooting video. The video recording itself is carried out in MPEG-4, H.264 and AVCHD formats, with a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels at 60 or 30 frames per second. There are also other video recording resolutions, these are 1440x1080 pixels (30 frames per second) and 640x424 pixels (30 frames per second). All data can be saved on a memory card. The machine supports the following types: MS PRO Duo, MS PRO-HG Duo, SD, SDHC or SDXC. By using this translucent mirror technology, the camera is quite compact. They are 124x92x85 mm without a lens. The camera weighs about 506 grams with battery and memory card. The camera itself is made of high quality plastic and has a relief surface.
Well, now, about the bad. Due to the translucent mirror, less light falls on the matrix than when using a conventional mirror, but this has little effect on the quality of the images, since the matrix here has a high light sensitivity, and the loss of light is not significant. The second drawback is considered to be the use of not a mirror viewfinder, but an electronic one.
The camera has an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5x15.6 mm and a resolution of 16.1 Mpx, but there is one "highlight", in the extended mode, the sensor resolution is reached up to 16.7 Mpx. The camera sensitivity ranges from 100 to 16000 ISO units (ISO 25600 is used programmatically, when this value is selected, a lot of noise is visible in the picture). A-mount system is used to attach lenses.
The BIONZ processor, which in turn was installed on the older model Sony Alpha SLT A77, is responsible for the camera's performance.
Thanks to this processor, additional functions and shooting modes have appeared. For example, with FACE DETECTION technology, you will have the ability to automatically detect faces, which includes adjusting the focus of the face, color control and automatic white balance, adjusting the shutter speed and flash intensity, and automatically focusing not one but several faces, up to eight. Proprietary SMILE SHUTTER technology will allow you to take a snapshot when a smile appears in the frame. There is also a double definition system called DOUBLE ANTI-BLUR. The camera also has optical and digital stabilizers, a noise reduction function and several intelligent scene recognition modes, such as ADVANCED MODE and AUTO MODE. In the first mode, the camera itself will take two photos with different parameters, and the second mode will take one photo, but with the most suitable parameters for it. And the retouching mode has several special effects that will allow you to remove red eyes, crop out a part of a photo or add smiles. For clear shots in poorly lit areas, the camera is equipped with STEADY SHOT INSIDE.SWEEP PANORAMA mode, help you take a panoramic shot. And the automatic cropping function is called: AUTO PORTRAIT FRAMING. The focusing in the camera has 15 points, with three cross sensors in the center.
The display of the camera is 2.7-inches in size, it is non-rotatable, and it is retractable, which allows it to be tilted up or down.
This will allow us to easily take pictures from a height above human height without any difficulty, thanks to the Clear Photo LCD technology, it has quite good viewing angles, but in the sun, the picture still becomes dim and visibility decreases.
Ergonomics of camera control, very comfortable all the keys are in their places, so after holding the camera in your hands for a few minutes, you can easily remember the location of all the buttons. The Sony Alpha SLT A37 has a stereo microphone and built-in flash with a guide number of 10m at ISO 100, +/- 2.0 EV compensation, 1/3 EV steps, and recharges in just 4 seconds, and also has a red-eye reduction function. ... Above the flash is a hot shoe mount that will allow us to attach an external flash.
On the front side there is a lens mount, a lens lock button, an autofocus switch and an infrared receiver.
On the back side there is the display itself with the viewfinder, under which there is a sensor for switching from the viewfinder to the main screen and functional keys, such as a four-position multifunction key, in the center of which there is an autofocus lock key, under them are the buttons for viewing the footage and a help key. There is also a programmable Fn key, a video recording key, and exposure compensation and AEL lock keys.
Above, we see the shutter button, which is combined with the device's power-on lever, the digital zoom button and the button for switching between the viewfinder and the display.
On the left side of the flash there is a shooting mode dial and a menu button. The speaker is also located here. On the left there are USB, HDMI communication ports and a connector for a remote control.
On the right side, except for the neck strap, there is nothing.
Below is a tripod mount and a battery compartment cover, under which a memory card slot is torn off.
The battery itself, when fully charged, will show the result of 270-280 photos. In practice, the camera with a translucent mirror impressed with its capabilities, the pictures turned out to be bright and natural, with good sharpness, even if the automatic shooting mode is used. I was also pleased with the autofocus, which turned out to be very fast, which will allow you to take good pictures of fast-moving objects.
Sample photos
Good results were also shown when photographing in low light, the ISO readings are quite acceptable. Particular attention should be paid to the SAL-1855 lens, which, with its compact size, is well suited for everyday shooting, there is an autofocus drive in the lens, which in turn works very smoothly and quietly. The lens is included in the package. In addition to the device itself and the lens, you will also find a charger, battery, power cable, USB cable, lens cap, shoulder strap and a disc with a user manual. Conclusions about this camera can be made as follows: it is suitable for novice photographers who have chosen this camera as their first DSLR and are starting to take their first steps in professional photography, and thanks to its compact size and weight, it is perfect for girls. 
