Sony Cameras
Sony Alpha Wi-Fi Camera Support
IOC Snapshot supports compatible newer Sony Alpha cameras over Wi-Fi.
Our Sony integration uses Sony’s Camera Remote Command technology to communicate directly with supported cameras over the network and automatically receive photographs as they are taken.
Sony supports Camera Remote Command on a growing number of Alpha cameras. Wi-Fi support varies by camera model and firmware version, so we recommend using a newer Sony Alpha camera with the latest firmware available.
There are two ways to connect a supported Sony camera: Access Authentication Enabled or Access Authentication Disabled.
How Sony Wi-Fi Works
The Sony camera and the computer running IOC Snapshot connect to the same private Wi-Fi network. IOC Snapshot discovers the camera and establishes a remote shooting connection.
Once connected, you continue taking photographs normally using the shutter button on the camera. IOC Snapshot receives the photographs wirelessly and imports them into your imaging session.
The exact connection process depends on whether Access Authentication is enabled or disabled on the Sony camera.
Option 1: Access Authentication Enabled
This is Sony’s secure connection method and is our recommended configuration when your camera supports it.
When Access Authentication is enabled, the Sony camera provides a username, password and fingerprint used to establish the secure connection.
You can view this information from the camera’s Access Authen. Info screen.
Enter the Sony username, password and fingerprint into the included Sony WiFi Receiver. Once the connection has been configured and saved, it normally does not need to be configured again each time the camera reconnects.
Access Authentication protects the communication between the camera and computer and is the preferred configuration when available.
Option 2: Access Authentication Disabled
IOC Snapshot can also connect to supported Sony cameras with Access Authentication disabled.
When Access Authentication is disabled, a username, password and fingerprint are not used. Instead, the computer must first be paired with the camera.
During the initial pairing process, Sony WiFi Receiver will request a connection and the camera will ask you to approve the computer. After you approve the connection on the camera, the connection information is saved for future use.
Once the camera has been successfully configured, IOC Snapshot can automatically reconnect to it using the saved Sony connection information.
Please note: Sony recommends using Access Authentication when the camera supports it. With Access Authentication disabled, the remote connection does not use Sony’s SSH authentication and encryption.
Test the Camera First
Before attempting to use the Sony camera inside IOC Snapshot, we recommend testing it with the included Sony WiFi Receiver application.
Sony WiFi Receiver allows you to:
- Discover the Sony camera on your network.
- Configure Access Authentication if it is enabled.
- Pair the camera with the computer if Access Authentication is disabled.
- Verify that the camera can successfully connect.
- Verify that photographs can successfully transfer from the camera to the computer.
Once you can successfully take a photograph and receive it in Sony WiFi Receiver, the camera is ready to be used with IOC Snapshot.
Watch the Sony Alpha Wi-Fi setup video:
The video above walks through the camera’s network settings, Access Authentication, discovery, pairing and initial test in much more detail.
Whether Access Authentication is enabled or disabled, the saved Sony connection information can also be copied to another computer. That computer can then use the same saved information to connect automatically without repeating the complete camera setup.
This can be especially useful in an office with multiple operatories or when replacing a computer.
Using Your Sony Camera with IOC Snapshot
After successfully testing your camera with Sony WiFi Receiver, open the DSLR Settings application included with IOC Snapshot and configure the Sony connection.
If Access Authentication is enabled on the camera, use the camera’s username, password and fingerprint. If Access Authentication is disabled, use the pairing information created when the camera was initially paired with the computer.
Once the Sony connection has been configured, the saved connection information can be copied to another computer if needed. The additional computer can then connect using the same saved camera configuration.
Then open IOC Snapshot Twain Driver or other program (Dexis Snapshot or VixWin Snapshot for example) and click the Phone/DSLR button. This is the same button used for supported iPhone, Android, Canon, Nikon and Sony camera connections.
When the Sony camera is connected and ready, the Phone/DSLR button will turn green indicating that a camera connection is available.
Take photographs normally using the shutter button on the Sony camera. IOC Snapshot will receive the photographs wirelessly and import them into your imaging session.
Which Sony Cameras Are Supported?
Our Sony Wi-Fi integration is intended for newer Sony Alpha cameras that support Sony Camera Remote Command over Wi-Fi.
Sony’s Camera Remote Command platform supports a large and growing selection of Alpha cameras, but the available connection interfaces and features vary by camera model and firmware version.
Examples of newer Alpha families supported by Sony’s remote camera technology include models from the α1, α9, α7, α7R, α7S, α7C and α6000-series families. This does not mean every camera or every firmware version supports the Wi-Fi connection used by IOC Snapshot.
We recommend updating the camera to the latest firmware and testing it with Sony WiFi Receiver before relying on it with IOC Snapshot.
Sony maintains the official Camera Remote Command compatibility information here:
Sony Camera Remote Command Supported Cameras
A Simple Troubleshooting Rule
If the Sony camera does not work inside IOC Snapshot, first go back to Sony WiFi Receiver.
If you can successfully connect to the camera and transfer a photograph using Sony WiFi Receiver, then you know the camera, Wi-Fi connection, authentication or pairing configuration are working before troubleshooting your dental imaging software.
Only 1 computer can use a camera at a time!