Sony Launches Update to Camera Remote SDK, adding enhanced functionality for E-commerce applications

- Compatibility with new Alpha 7 IV
- New ‘Still Image Capture Complete^i,ii, Notification’
- New ability to ‘Preset Focus and Zoom’ⁱ to store and load focus/zoom positions
- New remote ‘Contents Transfer’ modeⁱⁱ
- ‘Zoom Speed’ – high speed and variable support^i,iii, | Ability to change zoom speed remotely
- ‘Lock Operation Parts’ functionality to maximise efficiency of shooting applications^i,iv

Sony today launched an updated version of its Camera Remote Software Development kit (SDK), adding compatibility with the newly announced Alpha 7 IV and key functionality to support third parties in the development of bespoke applications utilising the industry-leading performance of Sony cameras.

Yasuo Baba, Director, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe BV said: “The expansion of our B2B offerings is a fundamental part of Sony’s long-term vision in the imaging market and since the launch of our original Camera Remote SDK, we have worked with some incredibly exciting customers to design some fascinating imaging applications. We are fully committed to the evolution of this SDK and will continue to add functionality based upon customer feedback.”

Version 1.05 of the Camera Remote SDK, which is available to download for free from today, offers new features that are particularly important in the areas of E-commerce, speed camera systems and contents creation. A new ‘Still Image Capture Complete Notification’ supports greater efficiency in constant shooting situations and the newly added ability to ‘Preset Focus and Zoom’ⁱⁱⁱ is a feature that has been requested by many customers.

A new remote ‘Contents Transfer’ mode for all content captured means that cameras can remain in situ whilst the results are reviewed which contributes to an efficient camera workflow. And the newly added feature of ‘Zoom Speed’, being able to change zoom speed remotely, paves the way for speedier capture.ⁱⁱⁱ To minimise the possibility of erroneous operation, developers can now also disable hardware keys on the camera by ‘Lock Operation Parts’ itself^iv

Compatible cameras

Sony is a market leader in mirrorless full-frame (35mm) cameras, with the company’s cameras renowned for their speed, image quality, resolution compactness and wide lens line-up.

The Camera Remote SDK can be used to control several cameras in the Sony camera range, with the full list of compatible cameras available here .

These cameras all benefit from Sony’s renowned Exmor R^TM and Exmor RS^TM CMOS image sensors, which give resolutions from 12 to 61 MP; as well as Sony’s BIONZ^TM image processing engines; and can be used with over 60 E-mount lenses.

About Camera Remote SDK

Camera Remote SDK allows users to control Sony’s cameras remotely from a computer, from changing the camera settings, to remote shutter release and live view monitoring. With this SDK, software developers can design bespoke applications tailored to business requirements, integrating Sony’s professional equipment for size-critical drone and speed camera systems as well as other medical, education, government, and e-commerce functions.

[i] Compatible with ILCE-7M4.
[ii] Compatible with DSC-RX0M2. Please update to the latest software.
[iii] Power Zoom Lens only. The actual zoom speed depends on the specifications of each lens model.
[iv] Camera body setting and operations are required.

Sony’s ALPHA 7 IV goes beyond ‘Basic’ with 33-Megapixel full-frame image sensor and outstanding photo and video operability

Sony also launches two new flashes to evolve powerful Alpha Lighting System Sony today announced three new additions to its imaging line-up — the interchangeable-lens camera ALPHA 7 IV (ILCE-7M4) with newly developed 33- megapixel (approx., effective) full-frame image sensor and two new flashes, the HVL-F60RM2 and HVL-F46RM. The ALPHA 7 IV takes ‘basic’ to the next level for full-frame cameras with excellent image quality and performance, redefining the original standard set by the Alpha 7 III.

The new model features many of Sony’s most advanced imaging technologies including the latest BIONZ XR™ processing engine and advanced AF (autofocus) capabilities based on the flagship Alpha 1 model, combined with streamlined operability and enhanced reliability for photos and movies, making it the perfect all-around camera for today’s imaging enthusiasts and professionals who shoot all scenarios. The ALPHA 7 IV also boasts 33 MP resolution, rich movie expression and various features to support the growing demand for remote communication, bringing new meaning to what a ‘basic’ camera can accomplish.

“With the introduction of the Alpha 7 III, we set the baseline for what full-frame cameras should deliver and now it is time to redefine those boundaries,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “The ALPHA 7 IV brings together the best of Sony imaging technology to deliver a fantastic experience in both stills and video, meaning that users will be able to capture exactly the content that they want, in whatever situation they find themselves in.”
ALPHA 7 IV: Innovation never ends

The new ALPHA 7 IV is the ultimate hybrid camera packed with outstanding still image quality and evolved video technology with advanced autofocus, enhanced operability and workflow capability. The model was also developed with environment in mind by using Sony’s original recycled plastic SORPLAS^TM for the camera body and the packaging with recyclable[i] materials and less plastic.

The camera is also compatible with the Camera Remote Software Development Kit (SDK).

Read the full press release here

[i] This product packaging is recyclable only in the communities that have appropriate recycling programs.

It paves the way for new solutions to be built and gives customers and end users greater choice and flexibility to choose the optimum combination of camera and drone for a particular use case, without any constraints.

The weight of Sony’s cameras makes them suitable for many commercial drone enterprise applications requiring the highest-quality image results.
The combination of Sony’s cutting-edge technology and innovative SDK software solutions, backed up by development and support, delivers a diverse range of high-quality cameras for every commercial drone application including surveying, mapping, and inspection. Key Sony camera models include:

- Alpha 7R IV – With incomparable image resolution and processing power, it features a 61MP full-frame Exmor R™ CMOS sensor and BIONZ X™ imaging engine.
- Alpha 7S III – The ultra-high sensitivity (expanded ISO up to 409600), 15-stop wide dynamic range, a powerful security camera and infrastructure monitoring tool, for day and night shooting.
- Alpha 7C – The world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable-lens camera.
- RX0 II – Super-compact with a 1” sensor, a 200kgf/440lbf/2000N crushproof and 2.0m shockproof body.

Auterion’s onboard hardware module, Skynode, enables the integration of Sony cameras via the Sony Camera Remote SDK in a plug-and-play manner. Skynode automates the geotagging of images taken by the Sony camera, connecting them to the cloud for viewing and downloading on customers’ systems.

Sony Camera Remote SDK allows users to control Sony cameras remotely, from changing the camera settings, to remote shutter release, and live view monitoring.
Auterion is driving innovation and advancement in the drone industry by partnering with drone manufacturers, camera and payload companies, and software developers to create the largest available line-up of drone solutions for enterprise, public safety, and government organisations.
The Auterion ecosystem is focused on providing value to the end user by offering a range of payloads that can be used with drones. If new Sony cameras are launched that provide additional capabilities, they can simply be attached to the drone without a whole new system being required.
Lorenz Meier, CEO of Auterion: “The integration with Sony was incredibly smooth and straightforward, while the technical development experience, including the support, testing, and provision of documentation, was excellent. The integration enriches our portfolio of solutions and enables flexible and scalable drone system development through open standards and an open-source ecosystem.

“Every possible solution that can benefit from the high-quality images produced by the industry-leading technology in Sony’s cameras, whether it’s for a mapping project, an inspection job or a safety mission, can be developed.” Yasuo Baba, European Director at Sony Digital Imaging, said: “Auterion is leading the way by using open-source technology to disrupt the industry and enable the development of the most versatile and innovative range of drone solutions for enterprise applications.

“The integration of Sony Alpha cameras with Auterion delivers a level of quality, flexibility and simplicity that drone manufacturers and end users haven’t been able to enjoy until now.”

Notes to editors
The Alpha 7R IV integration has been formally verified by quality assurance. The Alpha 7S III, Alpha 7C and RX0 II have been integrated but not formally verified by quality assurance.

Known for its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), precision and dependable data capture over large areas, WingtraOne has been chosen by professionals worldwide across industries. The GEN II represents a solid step forward in industrialization and reliability along with some new perks that challenge the previous limits of commercial mapping drones.

“We wanted to make the Wingtra drone even more versatile for our customers. So next to our flagship 42MP Sony RX1, we’re including new, high-end mapping payloads,” said Maximilian Boosfeld, Co-founder and CEO of Wingtra. “I'm especially excited to announce our oblique solution, which offers outstanding 3D mapping results. It’s the perfect choice for capturing infrastructure—from a single industrial plant to full-scale cities.”

WingtraOne's GEN II oblique mapping solution is backed by a signed partnership agreement with Bentley Systems. To demonstrate the power of GEN II carrying its Oblique Sony A6100, the Wingtra team mapped the city of Zurich, Switzerland, in just six flight hours, producing an impressive 3D model, processed with Bentley ContextCapture. Bentley's software is one of two recommended software, together with ESRI's Site Scan for processing Wingtra oblique datasets.

“Bentley Systems is delighted to partner with Wingtra to transform high-resolution oblique imagery from the WingtraOne drones into 3D reality meshes—an ideal starting point for infrastructure digital twins,” said Phil Christensen, VP, Industry Solutions—iTwin Context, Bentley Systems. “This enables our common users to perform analytics on the resulting models as well as leverage Bentley’s iTwin platform to share performant, city-scale digital twins.”

WingtraOne GEN II further features PPK integrated on every drone, including multispectral Altum and RedEdge payloads, as well as advanced fail-safe and self-diagnosis algorithms and services for dependable operations.

"We have studied over a 100'000 flights and any incoming customer reports to understand what the limits might be so we can push them further,” said Julian Surber, Product Manager at Wingtra. “As a result, we’ve designed many reliability tools for GEN II to guarantee uninterrupted operations.”

Wingtra's engineering team has completely redesigned the electronics of the GEN II. From the more powerful onboard computer and optimised PCB designs to a new navigation and heading unit developed in-house, GEN II components are meant to provide industry-leading reliability to customers.

Beyond the reliability ensured by hardware updates, the GEN II runs through health-monitoring algorithms for motors, servos, batteries, camera, PPK and onboard sensors. These “drone health self-checks” minimize the potential of flight with unsafe equipment.

Precision agriculture applications will get a boost from GEN II, since Wingtra’s top-of-the-line multispectral payloads, namely Micasense Altum and RedEdge will now be paired with high-accuracy PPK. Specifically, PPK improves the quality of multispectral insights for use cases such as irrigation management and prescription maps for pesticides.

“So, when you’re aiming for the highest detail orthophotos, point clouds and digital surface models across the majority of your applications, you only need one drone. And that drone is WingtraOne Gen II,” said Boosfeld.

"With GEN II, we're marking a key point in commercial drone evolution by providing you with a reliable workhorse that you can count on over every flight," added Surber.

WingtraOne GEN II is available for purchase as of the 3rd of August 2021, directly from Wingtra distributors globally.