More and more users have a DSLR camera today. Both the cameras, which have increasingly accessible prices, and the fact that there is now much more information available for users who want to learn, have contributed to the number of DSLR camera users being much higher than before. If you are one of those users, DSLR Controller it could be a perfect app for you.
However, we must start by saying that DSLR Controller It is an application that is not compatible with all DSLR cameras. In fact, it is only compatible with cameras Canon EOS. And yes, maybe it makes you as angry as it does me, I have a Nikon, but the truth is that the blame for this lies with the manufacturers, who do not publish a Official API of the cameras, nor do they create the official application that allows control the camera from your smartphone or tablet.
What is DSLR Controller and what does it offer?
Anyway, DSLR Controller It is a very useful application if you have a Canon EOS camera. With this app, you can convert the screen of your smartphone or tablet in the camera viewfinder. However, it is not just a secondary screen, but we can also use the smartphone to control the camera, and even to carry out the different adjustments when capturing the photo. What's more, with the new updates it's even possible to take a photo with the camera from a smart intelligence with Android Wear. Obviously, this requires an Android smartphone or tablet connected to the camera and smartwatch.
- live view with touch for Auto Focus and settings of manual focus even in AF mode.
- Histograms Live, zoom meeting, grids and overlays of aspect ratio.
- Capture Bulb, shot continuous, image review with follow shot and gallery.
- Filters Display: peaking, contrast, channel mask and grayscale (several modes per filter).
- Recording of video, HDR/AEB, Focus Bracketing (including HDR), Focus A–B, support of Mirror Lockup y timelapse (also with HDR).
- Extensive modification of parameters: Speed, aperture, compensation/bracketing, ISO, AF mode, focus area/zoom (press and hold in Live View), Picture Style, drive mode, white balance, color temperature, Auto-Lighting Optimizer, metering, photo/video quality and format.
Please note that some options depend on the way selected in the camera (M, Av, Tv, etc.) and the specific model.
Connections and requirements
To connect your smartphone or tablet to your camera you will need a OTG cable (On-The-Go), which can be obtained for a very affordable price. The app does not require root or computer: all you need is a compatible phone or tablet, a compatible camera, and the right cable. If your EOS or a WFT accessory supports Wi ‑ Fi, it is also possible to connect wirelessly. There is also Wi‑Fi Passthrough and the ability to create a cost-effective Wi-Fi module with compatible portable routers.
If the connection is via Wi‑Fi, practically any Modern Android it works; if it's via USB, your device must support it usb-hostTo check compatibility without purchasing, the developer offers the free app. Remote Release. Documentation, device list, changelog and FAQs are at dslrcontroller.com and the support thread on XDA (forum).
Wi-Fi bridge with portable router
If your camera only supports USB, you can convert a compatible portable router (e.g., TP‑Link TL‑MR3040, TL‑WR902AC o Nexx WT3020) into a Wi‑Fi module for use DSLR Controller wirelessly. The developer provides step-by-step guides on its website.
Video analysis and practical experience
Our friend Anthony Rayahas created a very interesting video on how to use this great app, DSLR Controller, to control Canon SLR cameras (not all models, but quite a few, as mentioned in the video). If you're a fan of controlling every last detail of your SLR, assembling gadgets, or doing photography DIY, be sure to check it out and learn it because you're sure to get a lot out of it.
At Part From the video, Antonio tells us what the necessary that we will have available in order to be able to use DSLR Controller correctly. Add that the version analyzed is the latest beta available for Android.
At second In the video, we find the complete explanation of the interface of the application and its management to finish, in the third, with a real-life test that demonstrates the capabilities of this app. In short, a great analysis by Antonio Raya that you're sure to enjoy.
Request More Information | Antonio Raya
Compatibility and supported cameras
Through our colleagues at Xataka MĂłvil we discovered the application DSLR Controller, which by connecting via a USB cable will allow you control your Canon camera from your AndroidA few days ago, we also told you about PhotoIRmote, an app with the same purpose: managing some or all of your camera's functions (as is the case) from your Android.
With PhotoIRmote, for the moment, the connection was made through a infrared that we had to make them, but With DSLR Controller we will do it using a USB cableThe only catch is that with this new application we will need the USB port of our Android to have the functions enabled USB Host, and this, officially, at the moment is only allowed by the Samsung Galaxy S II, as we already mentioned in another post. We could also do it with the Tablets with Honeycomb 3.1/3.2 that have USB, such as the Motorola Xoom, Acer Iconia Tab and the Asus Eee Pad Transformer through your keyboard dock.
Let's get to the point, as you can see in the cover video, with this application We will access the most important functions of your Canon EOS camera (550D, 50D, 7D, 5D mk II, and 1D mk IV) from your mobile or tablet and we will see what the camera sees, with a cadence of 15 fps (frames per second), more than enough to know exactly when we want to take the shot, having previously controlled how we want the photo to turn out. We found it to be a very interesting proposal, which we hope can be expanded with more camera models. The only drawback is that the application costs 5,99 euros, but I'm sure many of you will find this price reasonable/amortizable.
Via | Android Police | XDA Developers More information and download | DSLR Controller (Beta) on Android Market (€5,99) On Xataka Mobile | DSLR Controller lets you control your Canon camera from an Android device On Xataka Android | PhotoIRmote, control your SLR camera via infrared from your Android | Three apps to view RAW photos on our Android
Use the Smartphone as remote control of your camera is not a novelty, nor that we have a preview on the screen of our phone, but the reality is that it is a type of application that abounds in iPhone, but that was necessary in Android.
We have seen some attempts, but none as interesting as DSLR Controller, which despite being in beta phase, looks pretty good, as you can see in the video I share below:
The app allows you to control a camera Canon EOS (550D, 50D, 7D, 5D mk II, and 1D mk IV) from the Android phone, connected via the version USB of the port that both have. No intermediate devices, just the OTG cable and the app.
As you can see in the video, the mode live view It is present at a speed of 15 images per second, and from the phone we control aperture, exposure, white balance, sensitivity ISOEtc., etc.
They tell us that it only works with devices that have possibilities USB Host, among which we find the Samsung Galaxy S2 or Honeycomb tablets.
This beta version will be updated to a final version for free, and then a 1.0 version will be released which will cost a little over eight dollars..
Image | Google + Vic Gundrota
Forget about limited official apps from camera manufacturers. DSLR Controller It is the most professional tool that exists for control a reflex camera from your mobile phone, and has finally left the testing phase, which it has been in for several years. We could say that it is the essential complement for any user of a reflex camera.
DSLR Controller is an Android mobile app that works with the most popular DSLR cameras (i.e., SLR cameras). Canon. It is compatible with a wide range of models, and can be used by both NFC as by USB cable.
As an anecdote, more than one person will be surprised to discover that this application was created by none other than Chainfire. En el android world, saying “Chainfire” is a reference to the creators of the popular SuperSU root application, a tool that has been in the hands of CCMT since the end of last year.
DSLR Controller allows you to take all the essentials to your mobile controls from your Canon EOS camera
This is how DSLR Controller works
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The application of DSLR Controller connects to the cameras of Canon via a microUSB cable, so it is necessary that the phone you are going to use is compatible with it USB OTG. Since the latest version of the application, it is also possible to connect via the NFC if the camera supports this connectivity.
DSL Controller, in reality, is nothing else than a pocket controller for Canon SLR cameras. All the settings that can be modified on the camera are available from the app, and through the interface it is possible to control options such as the zoom meeting’s most emblematic landmarks, the focus and openingAnd those are just three of the dozens of features the interface has.
Which Canon cameras are compatible with DSLR Controller?
On their official website, the creators of DSLR Controller They detail the Canon EOS camera models that are compatible with this app. Of all the cameras they've tested so far, the models that are fully functional with the app are:
- 1D Mark IV
- 1DX
- 1D X Mark II
- 5D Mark II, Mark III and Mark IV
- 5Ds(r)
- 50D
- 500D
- 550D
- 6D
- 60D
- 600D
- 650D
- 7D
- 7D MarkII
- 70D
- 700D
- 750D
- 760D
- 80D
- 1000D
- 1100D
- 1200D
- 1300D
- 100D
The application of DSLR Controller The final version is now available for download from the Google Play store. However, it's priced at €8,99.
latest version
Important compatibility and support notes
The developer indicates that the latest models are usually supported, but not all bodies are the same. There are cameras with limited support (e.g. 1D mk III, 1Ds mk III, 30D, 40D, 400D, 450D or 1000D) and others without support (models prior to 2006 and the series EOS M mirrorless, in progress). Therefore, it is worth consulting the official list of cameras and devices on the web before purchasing.
If you need a refund because your equipment is not compatible, the process is managed from the official website following the instructions of the FAQ (not processed by email). Most common questions are answered in the thread XDA‑Developers linked above.
Price and download
The app is priced at 7,13 Euros in one of the sections of the original article and 8,99 Euros in another. As the cost may vary by region, taxes and promotions, consider these figures as guidance. Google Play – DSLR Controller.
Thanks to its combination of deep control, USB and Wi‑Fi connections, extensive documentation and an active community, DSLR Controller has established itself as a solid option for those looking for connected shot with Canon EOS from Android. If your workflow requires support for other brands (e.g. Nikon) or extras like calculators and automated scripts, there are third-party alternatives, but for Canon, Chainfire's offering remains the benchmark. stability, amplitude of features and support.