Sony has announced version 2.0.0 of its Monitor & Control app. The app turns your smartphone or tablet into a wireless monitor for your Sony camera.
Monitor & Control app
Sony first released the Monitor & Control app in September 2023. The app allowed you to use your smartphone or tablet as a second wireless screen for your camera. It also added exposure control features such as waveform monitor, false color and histogram. In addition, the Monitor & Control app gave you remote access to touch focus and autofocus sensitivity adjustment.
Supported cameras
At the time of launch, the Monitor & Control app supported the company’s FX6, FX3, and FX30 Cinema Line cameras. However, the FX6 could not utilize all the features of the app. Prior to the latest release, Sony had updated Monitor & Control to version 1.1.0 which added support for the Burano and the Alpha 9III. That update also added features such as zebra patterns and the ability to import LUTs. However, version 2.0.0 of Monitor & Control is a significant upgrade of the app.
Version 2.0.0
The Monitor & Control app version 2.0.0 adds support for false color, waveform monitor, histogram and zebra exposure on the Burano and FX6. There are also improvements to the image resolution and delay when monitoring with those two cameras. In addition, Sony says that the update delivers improved constraints for monitoring during S&Q, 24p, Interval Rec and 8K settings with the Burano and FX6.
Focus Map
The Monitor & Control app version 2.0.0 adds a new Focus Map function for the FX6. This uses a color overlay to indicate depth on the image. It means that you can see which parts of the frame are behind your focus point and which parts are in front. The app also has an improved user interface for remote operation. In addition, there’s a de-squeeze option for the display for when you are shooting with anamorphic lenses.
Multi-camera monitoring
If you are using the Monitor & Control app on an iPad, there’s now an option for multi-camera monitoring. This means you can display the output from up to four supported Sony cameras at the same time. You can also control the cameras and adjust their settings. In addition, the multi-camera function supports both wired and wireless connections from the cameras. Unfortunately, for Android users, this feature is iOS only at the moment.
What we think
Sony’s Monitor & Control app is a useful tool to turn your smartphone or tablet into a high-quality wireless monitor. For many users, this means you have the advantage of a larger screen without needing to buy a separate monitor. In addition, you gain exposure tools, such as false color, which are missing from the cameras. One major omission from the app is focus peaking which is a great aid when manually focusing. However, the app is more designed to support the Sony cameras’ excellent autofocus features. It’s also important to remember that the app is completely free. If you use one of the supported Sony cameras, the Monitor & Control app is an essential download.
Availability
Version 2.0.0 of Sony’s Monitor & Control app is available now from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and is free of charge. The app currently supports the Burano, FX6, FX3, FX30, Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III and Alpha7S III cameras. For most models, you will have to update your camera to the latest firmware to use the app.
