AlphaWire

A C library for controlling Sony Alpha cameras via USB connection, with a focus on minimal dependencies and broad camera support.

Overview

AlphaWire provides both low-level and high-level APIs for controlling Sony Alpha cameras.

It has some advantages over the official SDK / gphoto2:

• Minimal dependencies
• Fast image downloads
• Supports older cameras not covered by official Sony Camera Remote SDK
• Easy debugging of camera remote features

In general the C API is low level, allowing the most control and the Python API is more convenient.

Platform Support:

• Windows (Visual Studio 2018 or MinGW)
• OSX (clang)
• Linux (GCC)

Build Systems:

• CMake
• meson

Note: This project is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sony. 'Sony' and 'Alpha' are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.

Library Features

Core Capabilities

• Fast and lightweight
• Compatible with both pre-2020 and post-2020 Alpha cameras
• Full PTP device property control
• Tethered capture and file download
• Real-time Live View streaming
• IMGUI application for camera control and debugging
• Camera settings management (save/load)

Windows Backend Support

• WIA (Windows Image Acquisition)
• libusbk
• TCP/IP

Use Zadig to switch drivers on Windows.

If your device is not showing up, try updating the libusbk driver with Zadig.

OSX Backend Support

• IOKit
• TCP/IP

May need to close the 'Preview' application before using the camera, as if open it acquires exclusive access to the camera.

Linux Backend Support

• libusb
• TCP/IP

Demo Application

A GUI application is included for camera control and PTP protocol debugging.

Features

• PTP property/control inspection and modification
• Live view monitoring
• Focus control and image capture
• Camera settings management
• Protocol debugging tools
• Fast image download

Limitations

• PTPIP backend doesnt support SSL
• Many properties not implemented (missing naming / description - but can still be controlled/inspected)
• No ARW / image processing (outside of scope)
• Limited workarounds for specific cameras, you'll have to test your workflows for the cameras you target

Roadmap

• Build System Improvements
  • Packaged releases for UI application
• API Development
  • Descriptions for each property
  • Expand Python convenience API
  • Backport Python convenience API to C