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[gPhoto logo]Doc :: Remote controlling cameras

Remote controlling cameras


This page lists cameras remotely controllable for capture.
It is meant to be wiki-like, so if you have any additions, please mail them to gphoto-devel@lists.sourceforge.net mailinglist or to marcus@jet.franken.de.
The list is incomplete and might be incorrect.

If you start doing remote capturing, please begin by installing the latest libgphoto2 and gphoto2 stable releases, as remote control improvements and fixes are being added continously.


Configuring for capture

When doing remote capture you likely want to modify several on camera parameters.

The gphoto2 commandline frontend offers both a ncurses GUI mode (using --config) or scriptable commandline options to do configuration:

Most of them are self explaining, but some interesting ones:

Continuous / Interval capture

The options -F frames and -I seconds can be used to support continuous capture. -F 0 will capture images ad-infinitum.

This can be used with either --capture-image which would leave all images on the card, or --capture-image-and-download which captures and downloads the images immediately.

List of cameras


Camera Name Libgphoto2 capture support Controllable aspects Megapixel Notes
Canon Digital IXUS II/PowerShot SD100 Yes Quality, Imagesize, ISO, Whitebalance, Photoeffect, Zoom, Assistlight, ExpComp, Flashmode, Aperture, Focuspoints, Shutterspeed, Metering Mode, AF Distance, Focus Locking, Viewfinder 3  
Canon PowerShot SD110 Yes All (like SD100),Viewfinder 3  
Canon Digital IXUS 400 Yes All,Viewfinder 4  
Canon Digital IXUS 430 / ELPH S410 Yes ?,Viewfinder 4 In PTP mode
Canon IXY Digital 300 Yes All,Viewfinder 2  
Canon EOS 1000D / Rebel XS / Kiss F Yes Image Format, ISO, WhiteBalance, Whitebalance Adjust, DriveMode, Picture Style, Bulb Mode, BracketMode, Aperture, ShutterSpeed, Autofocus (in LiveView mode), Manual Focus (in LiveView mode), Viewfinder 10 Use libgphoto2 2.4.9
Use the Modewheel on the Camera to get to different settings.
Shutterspeed and Aperture not available in Auto or P setting, only in the more manual ones.
For Bulb mode: Switch dial to 'M'anual mode, gphoto2 --set-config shutterspeed=bulb , and run something like: gphoto2 --set-config bulb=1 --wait-event=10s --set-config bulb=0 --wait-event-and-download=5s
Canon EOS 1100D / Rebel ?? / Kiss ? Yes Image Format, ISO, WhiteBalance, Whitebalance Adjust, DriveMode, Picture Style, Bulb Mode, BracketMode, Aperture, ShutterSpeed, Autofocus (in LiveView mode), Manual Focus (in LiveView mode), Viewfinder 10 Use libgphoto2 2.4.14
Use the Modewheel on the Camera to get to different settings.
Shutterspeed and Aperture not available in Auto or P setting, only in the more manual ones.
For Bulb mode: Switch dial to 'M'anual mode, gphoto2 --set-config shutterspeed=bulb , and run something like: gphoto2 --wait-event=2s --set-config eosremoterelease=Immediate --wait-event=5s --set-config eosremoterelease=Off --wait-event-and-download=5s
Canon EOS 300D/Digital Rebel Yes ISO, Shutterspeed, Zoom (? likely read only), Aperture, Resolution (RAW, Normal JPEG, ...), Focus Mode (read-only?), Flash Mode (read-only) 6.5 Uses "Normal" mode in the camera (and the "canon" driver in libgphoto2). Set Modewheel to "M" to get all settings.
Canon EOS 40D Yes limited level of configurability (see EOS 1000D), Viewfinder 10.1 use libgphoto2 2.4.9
Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi / Kiss Digital X Yes limited level of configurability (see EOS 1000D), no Viewfinder 10.1 use libgphoto2 2.4.9
Canon EOS 450D / Rebel XSi / Kiss X2 Yes Image Format, ISO, WhiteBalance, DriveMode, Picture Style, Aperture, Shutterspeed, Viewfinder 12 Use libgphoto2 2.4.9. Use the ModeWheel on the Camera to get to different settings. Shutterspeed and Aperture not available in Auto or P setting, only in the more manual ones.
Canon EOS 50D Yes limited level of configurability (see other EOS), Viewfinder 15.1 Use libgphoto2 2.4.9. Use the ModeWheel on the Camera to get to different settings. Shutterspeed and Aperture not available in Auto or P setting, only in the more manual ones.
Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i / Kiss X3 Yes limited level of configurability (see other EOS), Viewfinder 15.1 Use libgphoto2 2.4.9. Use the ModeWheel on the Camera to get to different settings. Shutterspeed and Aperture not available in Auto or P setting, only in the more manual ones.
Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i / Kiss X4 Yes limited level of configurability (see other EOS), Viewfinder 18.0 Use libgphoto2 2.4.9. Use the ModeWheel on the Camera to get to different settings. Shutterspeed and Aperture not available in Auto or P setting, only in the more manual ones.
Canon EOS 60D Yes limited level of configurability (see other EOS), Viewfinder, Bulb 18 Use libgphoto2 2.4.11 or newer.
Canon EOS 600D Yes limited level of configurability (see other EOS), Viewfinder 18.0 Use libgphoto2 2.4.14 or newer
Canon EOS 650D Yes limited level of configurability (see other EOS), Viewfinder 18.0 Use libgphoto2 2.4.14 or newer
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Yes see other EOS like 1000D, Viewfinder 10.1 use libgphoto2 2.4.9
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Yes see other EOS like 1000D, Viewfinder 22 use libgphoto2 2.4.14 or later
Canon EOS 6D Yes see other EOS like 1000D, Viewfinder 20 use libgphoto2 2.4.14 or later
Canon EOS 7D Yes ImageFormat, ISO, WhiteBalance, WhiteBalanceAdjust, DriveMode, PictureStyle, Aperture, Shutterspeed, MeteringMode, BracketMode, AutoExposure Bracketing, Viewfinder 18 Use libgphoto2 2.4.9. For Bulb capture turn rotary dial to 'B'.
Canon PowerShot A10 Yes unknown, Viewfinder 1.3  
Canon PowerShot A100 Yes unknown, Viewfinder 1.2  
Canon PowerShot A20 Yes unknown, Viewfinder 2.1  
Canon PowerShot A200 Yes unknown, Viewfinder 2  
Canon PowerShot A30 Yes unknown, Viewfinder 1.32  
Canon PowerShot A300 Yes All, Viewfinder 3.2  
Canon PowerShot A310 Yes All, Viewfinder 3.2  
Canon PowerShot A40 Yes unknown, Viewfinder 2  
Canon PowerShot A400 Yes ImageQuality, ImageSize, FlashMode, ShootingMode, DriveMode, Zoom, MeteringMode, AF Distance, FocusingPoint, WhiteBalance, ISO, Aperture, ShutterSpeed, ExpComp, PhotoEffect, AssistLight, Focus Locking, Viewfinder 3.2 From reporter. Only captures with PTP driver.
Canon PowerShot A510 Yes All, Viewfinder 3.2  
Canon PowerShot A520 Yes ViewFinder, FocusLock, SyncDateTime, DateTime, Output, Ownername, CaptureTarget, Capture, Model, FirmwareRevision, Orientation, ImageQuality, ImageFormat, ImageSize, ISO, WhiteBalance, PhotoEffect, Zoom, AssistLight, AutoRotation, ExposureCompensation, Flashmode, ShootingMode, Aperture, FocusingPoint, ShutterSpeed, MeteringMode, AFDistance 4  
Canon PowerShot A60 Yes Unknown, Viewfinder 2  
Canon PowerShot A620 Yes Unknown, Viewfinder ?  
Canon PowerShot A640 Yes ImageQuality, ImageSize, ISO, WhiteBalance, AssistLight, ExpComp, FlashMode, ShootingMode, Aperture, Shutterspeed, FocusingPoint, MeteringMode, AF Distance, Focus Locking, Viewfinder 10 One reference user: oldcapebridge.com
Canon PowerShot A70 Yes ImageQuality, ImageSize, FlashMode, ShootingMode, DriveMode, Zoom, MeteringMode, AF Distance, Focusing Point, WhiteBalance, ISO, Aperture, Shutterspeed, PhotoEffect, Focus Locking, Viewfinder 3 (from ptpcanon list)
Canon PowerShot A75 Yes Unknown, Viewfinder 3 from capture.sf.net notes
Canon PowerShot A80 Yes All, Viewfinder 4 capture.sf.net and user reported
Canon PowerShot A85 Yes All, Viewfinder 4
Canon PowerShot A95 Yes ImageQuality, ImageSize, FlashMode, ShootingMode, DriveMode, Zoom, MeteringMode, AF Distance, Focusing Point, WhiteBalance, ISO, Aperture, Shutterspeed, ExpComp, Focus Locking, Viewfinder 5 from capture.sf.net notes
Canon PowerShot A520 Yes All, Viewfinder 4 from capture.sf.net notes
Canon PowerShot A620 Yes All, Viewfinder 7  
Canon PowerShot A640 Yes All, Viewfinder 10  
Canon PowerShot G1 Yes Unknown 3.3  
Canon PowerShot G2 Yes Unknown 4  
Canon PowerShot G3 Yes Unknown, Viewfinder 4  
Canon PowerShot G5 Yes ImageQuality, ImageSize, ISO, WhiteBalance, PhotoEffect, Zoom,AssistLight, ExpComp, Aperture, FocusingPoint, ShutterSpeed, MeteringMode, AF Distance, Viewfinder 5  
Canon PowerShot G6 Yes All, Viewfinder 7.1  
Canon PowerShot G7 Yes All, Viewfinder 10  
Canon PowerShot G9 Yes ImageSize, ISO, WhiteBalance, Zoom, AssistLight, ExpComp, FlashComp, FlashMode, ShootingMode, Aperture, FocusingPoint, ShutterSpeed, MeteringMode, AF Distance, Viewfinder 12  
Canon PowerShot G10 Yes All, Viewfinder 14.6  
Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS Yes Unknown, Viewfinder 2.6  
Canon PowerShot S1 IS Yes All, Viewfinder 3  
Canon PowerShot S2 IS Yes All, Viewfinder 5  
Canon PowerShot S3 IS Yes All, Viewfinder 6 confirmed by Canon
Canon PowerShot S5 IS Yes All, Viewfinder 8 confirmed by user with 2.4.0
Canon PowerShot S40 Yes All, Viewfinder 4  
Canon PowerShot S30 Yes Unknown, Viewfinder 3.2  
Canon PowerShot S40 Yes Unknown, Viewfinder 4  
Canon PowerShot S45 Yes All, Viewfinder 4  
Canon PowerShot S50 Yes All, Viewfinder 5  
Canon PowerShot S60 Yes All, Viewfinder 5 See sample installation
Canon PowerShot S70 Yes All, Viewfinder 7  
Canon PowerShot S80 Yes All, Viewfinder 8  
Canon PowerShot S100 Yes Unknown, Viewfinder 2  
Canon PowerShot S110 Yes Unknown, Viewfinder 2  
Canon PowerShot S200 Yes Unknown, Viewfinder 2  
Canon PowerShot S230 Yes All, Viewfinder 3  
Canon PowerShot S300 Yes Unknown, Viewfinder 2  
Canon PowerShot S400 Yes All, Viewfinder ? from capture.sf.net notes
Canon PowerShot S410 Yes All, Viewfinder ? from capture.sf.net notes
Canon PowerShot S500 Yes All, Viewfinder ? from capture.sf.net notes
Canon PowerShot SD110 Yes All, Viewfinder 3  
Canon PowerShot SD430 Yes, but only over WLAN All, Viewfinder 5 Unfortunately the WLAN (PTP/IP) mode to connect to this camera is not working yet.
Canon PowerShot SX100 IS Yes Zoom, ISO, Quality, ImageSize, WhiteBalance, ExposureCompensation, FlashCompensation, CaptureMode, Aperture, Shutterspeed, MeteringMode, AF Distance,, Focus Locking, Viewfinder 8 1 frame capture and download - 2-3 seconds
Canon PowerShot SX110 IS Yes All (likely same as SX100IS above), Viewfinder 9  
Canon 20D, 350D/Digital Rebel XT Yes All 8.2 Needs 2.4.0 or newer
Canon 5D Yes All 12 Needs 2.4.0 or newer
Casio EX-F1 Tethered Unknown 6 Only tethered shooting, Firmware 2.0 required.
Kodak DC280 Yes None 2 None
Nikon CoolPix 880 Yes All ?  
Nikon CoolPix 2500 Yes All 2 In Sierra mode (USB Mass storage pass through)
Nikon CoolPix 4300 Yes All 4 In Sierra mode (USB Mass storage pass through)
Nikon CoolPix 4500 Yes All(?) 4 Only with updated firmware, see here
Nikon CoolPix 5000 Yes All 5  
Nikon CoolPix 5400 Yes Unknown 5  
Nikon CoolPix 5600 Yes All,no focus, no aperture 5  
Nikon CoolPix 5700 Yes All 5  
Nikon CoolPix 5900 Yes All 5  
Nikon CoolPix P1 Yes Some 8 Only over USB, not over PTP/IP.
Nikon CoolPix P2 Yes Some 5 Only over USB, not over PTP/IP.
Nikon CoolPix P3 Yes Some 8 Only over USB, not over PTP/IP.
Nikon CoolPix P80 Yes None 10 not configurable, just trigger capture
Nikon CoolPix P100 Yes None 10 only image quality configurable
Nikon CoolPix P5000 Yes Some 10 only image quality configurable
Nikon CoolPix S3300 Yes Some 16 Only image quality/size, flash, focusmode configurable
Nikon D4 Yes All 16  
Nikon D40 Yes All 6  
Nikon D40x Yes All 10  
Nikon D50 Yes All 6  
Nikon D60 Yes All 10  
Nikon D70 Yes All 6  
Nikon D70s Yes All 6  
Nikon D80 Yes All 10  
Nikon D90 Yes All, Viewfinder 12  
Nikon D200 Yes All 10  
Nikon D300 Yes All 12  
Nikon D3000 Yes Basic set of abilities (no SDRAM, no Viewfinder, just the basic capture settings) 10  
Nikon D5000 Yes All, Viewfinder 12  
Nikon D5100 Yes All, Viewfinder 16  
Nikon D600 Yes All, Viewfinder 24  
Nikon D700 Yes All, Viewfinder 12  
Nikon D800 Yes All, Viewfinder 36  
Nikon D800E Yes All, Viewfinder 36  
Olympus C750UZ Yes All ?  
Olympus C-2040Z Yes All 2  
Olympus C-2100Z Yes All 2  
Olympus C-3040Z Yes All 3  
Olympus C-4040Z Yes All 4  
SQ905 chipset cameras (check list in C file here) Yes ? 320x240 pixel, 160x120 pixel, some also 640x480 pixel  
Digigr8 chipset cameras (check list in C file here) Yes ? 320x240 pixel  
STV680 chipset cameras (check list in C file here) Yes None 320x240, 160x120, sometimes also 640x480 pixel  

If a camera is not listed, it might still be the case that is able to support capture.

For instance, it is a very good sign if the vendor supplies software that supports remote capture for this camera. Those are likely able to be supported by libgphoto2 if not already.


Cameras not able to do capture

NameComment
Kodak EasyShare Any None of those supports remote capture.
Sony Cybershot DSC (PTP) None of those supports remote capture.
Fuji Finepix (PTP) Most of these cameras do not support remote capture. Some professional Fuji S* pro cameras might support it, please see the Utility tool page.
Various Canon cameras: All Powershots released after mid 2009 are not capable of remote control anymore.

Statement from Canon SDK: As a reminder: PowerShots A410, A420, A430, A450, A460, A470, A530, A540, A550, A560, A570 IS, A580, A590 IS, A610, A630, A650 IS, A700, A710 IS, A720 IS, A1000 IS, A2000 IS, S10, S20, S330, SD10, SD20, SD30, SD40, SD200, SD300, SD400, SD430, SD450, SD500, SD550, SD600, SD630, SD700 IS, SD750, SD770 IS,SD790 IS,SD800 IS, SD850 IS, SD870 IS, SD880 IS, SD890 IS, SD900, SD950 IS, SD990 IS, SD 1000, SD1100 IS, SX 1 IS, and SX 10IS do not support remote control or video out operation via the SDK.
The same applies for libgphoto2 capture support.

Also see this Canon page for a overview of which cameras are supported and which are not as of April 1st 2008.

Minolta Dimage Z2 Do not support remote control. See Konica-Minolta FAQ

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