White Bird

A friend of mine is disabled and is slowly losing dexterity in her hands has asked if I know about the Canon SX50 camera. She is looking for a camera (Canon or Nikon) that will allow her to connect wirelessly and take a photo remotely, as well as operate the camera's zoom, focusing, settings, etc. (her words) She has M.S. but is a really good photographer. I am not a Canon user, but if anyone has suggestions for equipment that would allow her to continue her photography, I would love to pass along their advice.

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

I'm a Canon user and both of my DSLR's have that ability. I now use a 5D3 but other cameras have the same connections. You connect to a Cam Ranger device and that to an IPad and remotely control the camera. I don't know the expense involved but the camera would be the biggest item.

tscali

I would call whatever equipment manufacture she is currently using and explain the situation to them and ask for recommendations. If she is using Nikon and they can't help, then call Canon and visa versa.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

She could buy and use a Camranger. This works with a list of cameras but connecting to an iPad or iPhone and allowing remote focus, triggering and fstop ISO and shutter adjustments along with a ton of other things. But you need a tablet or phone for it to connect to.
http://camranger.com/

chase4 Loc: Punta Corona, California

My disabled son uses a Cam Ranger with his Nikon D610 with great success.

Jcmarino

Both Canon and Nikon have models that can be shot remotely with a remote trigger. Also check out the Sony a6000, it can be shot remotely with an iPhone app. You can control and see everything from your phone. The big screen of the 6 or 6+ makes it easy for your fingers to move the shutter, exposure, apt, and ISO as well as shoot. I would definitely look at that option just because you can see what the camera sees before you shoot.

Mary White Loc: Port St Lucie, Florida

Thank you all very much. This gives me a great starting point! I will definitely research your suggestions.

Wrangler Loc: North Texas

I have an EOS70 D and downloaded a free app for my iPhone that works well using wifi.

jcboy3

The newer Olympus and Panasonic micro 4/3 models have wireless operation through iPhone/iPad applications. The power zoom lenses can also be zoomed with these applications. I have the Olympus 12-50 and Panasonic 45-175 lenses that can be remotely zoomed. There are a couple of other models, but not a full range zoom.

The Olympus cameras can also be tethered, so you can use them with a laptop. I don't know that the Panasonic cameras can be tethered (yet).

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

If you don't want to spend a lot of money on a device, "Control my Nikon" and "Control my Canon" are software for your existing laptop for controlling your camera. They are about 30 to 40 dollars for each program.

zundapp5 Loc: Portugal

Here a good help!

http://www.triggertrap.com/#products/triggertrapmobile1

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

This sounds like a nice inexpensive thing to have, but it doesn't focus the camera. Since the person mentioned in the post is having problems with her hands and fingers working with the camera, this device requires you to manipulating the focusing first.

Not sure if this would be an option, but I might look into it.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Not sure you're actually looking for "remote" capabilities... It sounds more like "tethered shooting" is what she would want and find most useful. The difference is basically the distance from the user to the camera.

Tethered shooting is generally in relatively close proximity to the camera... using a separate device, usually with a larger viewing screen to preview and review the images, and possibly to control the camera as well. This has been primary with a wired connection in the past, but now can be done wired or wirelessly with many more recent camera models.

Not trying to split hairs over the semantics.... But searching for "tethered wired" or "tethered wireless" might find you more useful info and results than a search for "remote shooting capability" would.

I shoot with Canon gear... though with DSLRs instead of the point-n-shoots like the SX50. However, most Canon digital cameras of either type can be used with a wired tether. All that's needed is some sort of controlling device, which might be a smart phone or a pad/tablet or a laptop... even a desktop PC. Canon provides some software free with the camera that might be sufficient, plus there are other software and apps available for the purpose.

Many current Canon models also now have built-in wireless connectivity... just check the specs to see if WiFi is included. Both SLRs and P&S models may have it and it can serve much the same purpose. A wired connection might be easier to set up, a bit faster and a little more reliable, but WiFi can work pretty darned well, too.

The more advanced, high end Canon DSLRs do not have built in WiFi. Canon explains this is because their metal clad bodies make it less reliable, blocking part of the signal. Instead those models use a separate WFT or "wireless file transmitter" module. They are expensive, but have advantage of far more range.... about 10X or 15X as much distance as built-in WiFi. In some cases with a WFT it can work as much as 300 or 400 feet away, while built-in WiFi is only good for 20 to 30 feet. The separate WFT modules also can be a bit faster, more reliable and able to handle larger files, but ultimately give similar tethered control abilities. As far as I know, the rather pricey WFT modules are not offered for any of the P&S cameras... They are only available for the higher end, DSLR models (for example: 7D-series, 5D-series, 1D-series).

There are number of third party devices too... but I'm not very familiar with them.

jcboy3

As far as I can tell, the SX50 is not Wifi enabled. The SX60 is, as well as the G9x, SX710, SX610, and N2. Canon Camera Connect (their wifi app) is reported to allow remote zoom with these cameras.

As for DSLRs, the 6D and 70D are wifi enabled, and the upcoming T6i will be. Older Canon DSLRs may require an adapter. I don't know if Canon has any power zoom lenses, so remote zoom may not be possible.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

If your friend is interested in a number of other functions: expanded bracketing for HDR, focus stacking, time lapse, et al, she might look at this product: http://www.promotesystems.com/products/Promote-Control.html

Disclaimer: I do not currently use this-- but it uses live view to eliminate the need for a laptop, or other device.