Controlling the Sony DSC-RX100 II Camera with a Smartphone through Wi-Fi

I received my new Sony DSC-RX100 II (also known as the RX100M2) camera a few days ago and am getting familiar with its new features as I work on my guide book for this updated model. (I hope to have the new book finished by late September or early October.)

One of the major enhancements to the camera, as compared to the original RX100, is built-in Wi-Fi capability. With this feature, the RX100 II is able to connect to a computer, smartphone, or tablet for transferring images. Also, you can use a smartphone or tablet to control the camera remotely, to a limited extent. Specifically, once the connection is established, you can use an app on your phone to see what the camera is aimed at, zoom the lens in and out, turn the flash on or off, activate the self-timer, and capture a still image or video.

I tried out this function over the past couple of days using my iPhone 5 and I have put together a video that shows how it works. The video ends with some footage of hummingbirds that I took with the RX100 II while I was controlling it with the iPhone. Being able to control the camera from a distance seems to be a helpful way to get images and videos of birds and other wildlife that might be scared away by seeing a human standing nearby with a camera.

Here is the video, as posted today on YouTube:

 

4 thoughts on “Controlling the Sony DSC-RX100 II Camera with a Smartphone through Wi-Fi

  1. Ayla

    Greetings! I have the Sony RX100 M2 and am anxiously awaiting your guide book. I’m going on vacation in a couple weeks and just received the 3 filters and 49 mm adapter ring. How do I put that on? I don’t want to mess up my camera and want to protect the lens from salt air at the beach. PS-I have your Nikon P500 book and its awesome. Was hoping your M2 book would be ready to take on my beach vacation to read. Thanks for your help! AW in GA

    Reply
    1. Alex White Post author

      Hello — Thanks for your message. I’m not sure which adapter ring you have — there are at least 3 that I’m aware of — one from Sony, one from lensmateonline.com, and one from carryspeed.com. The only one I have is the Sony one, though it is quite similar to the one from Lensmate. With the Sony adapter ring, you clean off the front of the lens with an alcohol pad, then put the cardboard guide tube over the lens when the camera is turned off, and press the “base ring” — the smaller plastic ring — onto the lens with its adhesive. Then you twist the actual adapter onto the base ring, and screw the filter into the adapter. If you are using the lensmate version, there are instructions on their site. Sony also has instructions for its adapter at their site. I hope that helps.

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