The A37's photos look typical for an entry-level dSLR-class camera: very good, but not outstanding compared to competitors.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
The A37's noise profile for JPEGs looks as you'd expect for a camera in this class: ISO 100 and 200 look good, you start to see artifacts at ISO 400, and the images are usable, depending upon content, up through ISO 3200.
2 of 6 Lori Grunin/CNET
JPEG, ISO 100
Not a stellar shot, but it accurately represents the general quality of the A37's low ISO sensitivity photos.
(1/100, f5.6, ISO 100, spot meter, AWB, 18-135mm lens at 18mm)
3 of 6 Lori Grunin/CNET
ISO 800, JPEG
You can see the noise and JPEG processing artifacts here, but they're not too obtrusive.
(1/60, f5.6, ISO 800, center-weighted meter, AWB, 18-135mm lens at 70mm)
4 of 6 Lori Grunin/CNET
ISO 1600, JPEG
You can see the noise mottling in the sky and the detail degradation on the clock, but this would be quite usable scaled down a little. Also, a lot of shots of the clock face taken with other cameras/lenses display serious fringing on the high-contrast edges; here it's not a problem. I'm not sure if it's doing correction in-camera, though.
(1/80, f5, ISO 1600, spot meter, AWB, 18-135mm lens at 55mm)
5 of 6 Lori Grunin/CNET
Color
The white balance here is a little cool because of the overcast weather, but the A37 generally produces accurate and pleasing color in its default Creative Style.
6 of 6 Lori Grunin/CNET
Bokeh, 18-135mm lens
Not beautiful, but the out-of-focus highlights of the 18-135mm look typical for a consumer lens.
(1/100, f5.6, ISO 100, spot meter, AWB, 18-135mm lens at 20mm)
