Using an Android Smartphone to Control a PowerShot Camera and Shoot Remotely via Wi-Fi

Article ID: ART164238 | Date published: 01/11/2016 | Date last updated: 09/14/2017
 

Description

Using an Android Smartphone to Control a PowerShot Camera and Shoot Remotely via Wi-Fi

Solution

 

As you check a shooting screen on your smartphone, you can use it to shoot remotely.
Shooting can also be performed via NFC connections using Android smartphones (installed with OS version 4.0 or later) that support NFC.
IMPORTANT
  • In the following explanation, smartphone setting procedures are indicated by the icon, and camera setting procedures are indicated by the icon.
  • The camera works in [P] mode during remote shooting. However, some FUNC. and MENU settings you have configured in advance may be changed automatically.
  • Movie shooting is not possible.
  • In this article, Android smartphones and tablets are collectively referred to as 'smartphones'.
  • In camera settings, the smartphone must be allowed to view camera images.
  • In order to use a smartphone to control the camera remotely, the Camera Connect application must be installed on the smartphone.
  • Here, instructions are given using PowerShot SX420 IS as an example. The position and shape of the operation buttons, the screens displayed, and the settings will differ depending on your device model.
NOTE
  • Keep your fingers or other objects off the Wi-Fi antenna area. Covering this may decrease the speed of your image transfers.
  • Connections require that a memory card be in the camera.
  • On the screen, wireless signal strength is indicated by the following icons.
- [ ] : high, [ ] : medium, [ ] : low, [ ] : weak

 

 

The procedure for using a smartphone to control the camera during remote shooting via Wi-Fi is explained in the following four steps. Proceed in order from Step 1.
Step 1: Confirming the OS version
Step 2: Installing Camera Connect on the smartphone
Step 3: Connecting the camera to the smartphone
Step 4: Using the smartphone to control the camera during remote shooting

 

Step 1: Confirming the OS version

 

1. Check the smartphone's specifications.
  • To confirm the Android OS version information, check the [Settings] menu ( ) [About device] [Android version].

IMPORTANT
Please refer to the related information for details on the smartphones which can be connected with a camera wirelessly.
NOTE
  • Turning off the sleep function of the smartphone is recommended.
  • The setting procedures and items may differ depending on the Android OS version installed on your smartphone.

 

Step 2: Install Camera Connect on your smartphone and turn Wi-Fi on

 

Download Camera Connect from Google Play and install it on your smartphone.
If Camera Connect is already installed on your smartphone, proceed to Step 3: Connect the camera and smartphone.

 

 

NOTE
  • Here, instructions are given using Android OS 4.0 as an example.
  • The text includes an example of a smartphone screen. The items displayed on the screen may differ depending on the model of your smartphone. For details, refer to the user manual for your smartphone.
  • Interface or functions of Camera Connect are subject to change, for application improvement or update. In such a case, features of Camera Connect may differ from sample screens or operation instructions in this explanation.
REFERENCE
  • If Camera Connect is not yet installed on your Android smartphone (OS version 4.0 or higher) that supports NFC, touch the N-Mark [ ] on the smartphone against the camera's N-Mark to make Google Play start automatically on the smartphone and to open the Camera Connect download screen.
  • Using an NFC-compatible Android smartphone (OS version 4.0 or later) simplifies the process of connecting to the camera via NFC. When using Camera Connect to shoot remotely, make sure that the camera is in [Shooting Mode] or in [Power OFF] mode before establishing the connection.

 

 

1. Touch the [Play Store] icon on your smartphone to start Google Play.

IMPORTANT
  • You can download Camera Connect for free. However, you will be charged communication fees when connecting to Google Play.
  • You need a Google account to download Camera Connect.
  • You cannot download Camera Connect without Google Play installed on your smartphone.
  • When you use a cell phone line, downloading may take longer than when you use a Wi-Fi connection.

 

 

2. Touch the search icon.

 

 

3. Enter "Camera Connect" as the keyword in the search field and then tap the search icon .

 

 

4. Select [Camera Connect] in the search results and install it.
The home screen will reappear when the installation of Camera Connect is complete.

 

 

5. Touch the menu key on your smartphone and then touch [Settings] ( ).

 

 

6. Make sure your smartphone is not in airplane mode.

 

 

7. Turn the [Wi-Fi] switch ON ( ) [ Wi-Fi ] and then tap [Wi-Fi] ( ).

 

 

8. Choose a shooting mode.
  • Once remote shooting begins, the camera lens will come out. Lens motion from zooming may also move the camera out of position. Keep the camera still by mounting it on a tripod or taking other measures.

 

Step 3: Connect the camera and smartphone

 

1. Press the [ ] button on the camera.

NOTE
  • With the default settings, the device name ( ) is displayed.
  • To change the camera's nickname, press the [ ], [ ] buttons to choose the [Nickname] field, press the [ ] button to display the keyboard, and then enter the desired nickname. After you have finished entering the nickname, press the [ MENU ] button to return to the registration screen, press the [ ], [ ] buttons, choose [OK], and then press the [ ] button.
  • This nickname will be displayed on [Select a Device] screen when connecting to other devices via Wi-Fi.

 

 

2. Press the [ ], [ ], [ ], [ ] buttons, select [ ], and then press the [ ] button.


 

 

3. Press the [ ], [ ] buttons to select [Add a Device], and then press the [ ] button.

 

 

4. The camera's SSID and password are displayed.

 

 

5. In the smartphone's Wi-Fi setting menu, choose the SSID (network name) displayed on the camera to establish a connection. In the password field, enter the password displayed on the camera.

 

 

  • Make sure that the camera and the smartphone are connected and then touch the home button to return to the home screen.

 

 

6. Touch the [Canon Connect] icon [ ] on the smartphone to start [Camera Connect].

 

 

  • When the screen for choosing the target camera is displayed on your smartphone, choose the camera to pair them.

 

 

7. Press the [ ], [ ] buttons to select [Yes], and then press the [ ] button.

REFERENCE
  • You can now use the smartphone to browse, import, or geotag images on the camera or shoot remotely.
  • Once you have registered a smartphone, you can change the privacy settings for it on the camera.

 

 

8. The following screen is displayed when the connection with the smartphone is established.

NOTE
  • Once you have connected to a smartphone, it will be displayed on the [Select a Device] screen in step 3. Select the smartphone to connect to it.
  • When you press the [ ] button to open the Wi-Fi menu after the first time, recent destinations will be listed first when you access the Wi-Fi menu. You can easily connect again by pressing the [ ], [ ] buttons to choose the device and then pressing the [ ] button.To add a new device, display the device selection screen by pressing the [ ], [ ] buttons and configure the setting. If you prefer not to display recent target devices, choose MENU > [ ] tab > [Wireless settings] > [Wi-Fi Settings] > [Target History] > [Off].
  • To add multiple smartphones, repeat the above procedure starting from step 2.

 

Step 4: Use the smartphone to shoot

 

1. On the Camera Connect menu screen on the smartphone, choose [Remote Shooting].

IMPORTANT
The camera lens will come out. Do not press near the lens, and make sure no objects will obstruct it.

 

 

2. Once the camera is ready for remote shooting, a live image from the camera will be displayed on the smartphone. At this time, a message is displayed on the camera, and all operations except pressing the power button are disabled.

 

 

3. Use the smartphone and press to shoot.

NOTE
  • Any jerky subject motion shown on the smartphone due to the connection environment will not affect recorded images.
  • No AF frames are displayed. Capture a test image to check the focus.
  • Captured images are not transferred to the smartphone. Use the smartphone to browse and import images from the camera.

 

 

*Android, and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc.

 

Smartphone (Device) Specifications and System Requirements for a Wireless Connection with a Camera (Canon Camera Connect)

SIMS Doc Id

8202803800

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