Camera remote release pinout list

Canon
Nikon
Pentax
Olympus
Sony
Panasonic/Lumix
Sigma

Most DSLR and SLR cameras can be triggered remotely using a release cable. Unfortunately the connectors used for the external release have rather exotic shapes. Below you will find the pinouts for the common camera types. The standard solution consists of three wires: ground, focus and shutter. To focus the camera the focus wire has to be connected to ground. To release the camera both wires have to be connected to ground.

Canon

All Canon EOS cameras are equipped with a remote release connector. There are two types of plugs. Refer to this article for more details on the electrical data of the external trigger ports. Most types can be released by pulling down just the shutter wire.

2.5mm Jack Connector

This connector is used with the EOS 350D, 400D, 450D, 500D, 550D, 60D and the 70D. The 60D is the first two digit camera using a jack plug. It's is a DIY friendly stereo (3 pole) 2.5 mm jack plug. It is not the standard plug used in mp3-players etc. which has a diameter of 3.5 mm! But don't worry, you can buy this smaller plug in a bigger electronics store. The 'official' remote controller with this plug sold by Canon is called RS-60 E3.

N3 Connector

This connector is used with the EOS 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D, 5Dmk2, 5Dmk3, 6D, 7D and all types of the 1D. The only way to get the connector is canibalising a cheap remote control. The 'official' remote controller with this plug sold by Canon is called RS-60 N3.

Nikon

With three different types, Nikon is the unbeaten leader in inventing remote release connectors.

MC-DC1

This type fits the D70s (not D70!) and D80.

MC-DC2

This type fits the D90, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100, D5200, D7000, D7100, D600 and D610. It was probably introduced to connect the GPS-receiver. The D90 was the first cam to appear with this new connector.

10-pin connector (MC-20, MC-22, MC-30, MC-36)

nikon 10 pin remote release connector pinout

This is the connector found in the bigger Nikon cameras like D200, D300, D700, D800, D800E, D3, D3x, D4, etc. It is also used by the Fuij S3 and S5 Pro. Nikon offers a cable called MC-22. It's an adapter cable for the round 10 pin plug ending with three banana connectors for own circuitry.

No connection...

Unfortunately the models D40 (2006), D50 (2005), D60 (2008), D70 (without s) and D3000 don't have a cable release connector. IR or USB-tethering are the only control options here.

Pentax

Pentax are the good guys and use the common 2.5-mm stereo jack plug. The pinout is the same as for Canon cameras (see above). Unfortunately the K-r and the K-x have no remote control socket. These models can be released per IR only.

Olympus E-system

This is the plug found on the Olympus RM-UC1 remote release. According to the Olympus web site it fits the models E-PM1, E-PL2, E-P1, E-P2, E-P3, E-620, E-30, the E-400 series, E-510, E-520 and OM-D EM-5. It's also compatible with the compact cameras XZ-1, SZ-20, SZ-30 MR, SP-565, SP-570 and SP-590. One user reported that plugging in the remote cable into his E-520 blocks all controls on the camera body. The settings have to be done before attaching the cable.

The plug shown above can be found on the Olympus RM-CB1 remote release. Compatible camera models are E-1, E-3, E-300 (via battery holder), E-10 and E-20.

Sony

Sony has a rather exotic connector fitting all types. Many models do not have a remote control connector. Both focus and shutter must be connected to ground to release the camera. Shutter only doesn't work. The connector was invented by Minolta before Sony bought them.

Panasonic/Lumix

Panasonic/Lumix goes an unusual way and uses just one wire to control the focus and the shutter. As shown in the picture above, only the shaft and the first ring are used. Resistors are used to choose the function. This connector is used by the Panasonic G1, G2, GF1 etc.
My experiments showed that the more common resistor values of 33k, 3k3 and 2k2 also work. A possible wiring of the cable is shown here. Note that the grounds of the plugs are not directly connected.

Sigma (SD-14, SD-15)

The plug is the same like Canon, but the shutter and focus pinout is swapped. Thanks to sigma_fan for providing the info!

Disclaimer

No guarantee for nothing. Please be careful when experimenting with your camera.

Comments

Panasonic GH4 Zoom Control ober 2,5mm Jack

Hi,
Does anyone have an idea how the protocol or the connection diagram works for Panasonic 2,5mm Jack to control the zoom??
It is possible, as proved here:
http://cheesycam.com/panasonic-gh4-w-power-zoom-14-42mm-and-45-175mm-lenses

I want to control this features over an RC Remote, i can release the shutter with this cable:
http://www.globe-flight.de/RC-remote-shutter-cable-25mm-4-pole-for-Panasonic-cameras-eg-GH-series

But there is no possibility to control the zoom. I am really freakting out because i cannot find any solutions or diagrams.

Maybe somebody has an idea???
Thanks very much
Arthur

#35 - Arthur Steinhauser - 07/05/2014 - 00:00

Alternative for Brinno?

Hi,
Does anyone know if there are alternative remote control cables for a Brinno TLC? Picture here:
http://www.conrad.nl/medias/global/ce/5000_5999/5500/5520/5524/552401_BB_00_FB.EPS_1000.jpg
Looks like a Panasonic or iPhone jack plug, but I'm not sure. The Brinno cable is extremely expensive...
Thanks!

#34 - Jos - 05/11/2014 - 12:55

Sony

First of all, thanks for the great article!
It turns out, that at least on the Sony A57,that it is only needed to connect shutter to ground, without the need of connecting focus, just as long the lens is set to MF.

#33 - Nicklas B - 02/13/2014 - 14:13

Sony VMC-AVM1

Of course, the correct name of the adapter cable to be \"hacked\" (see other post) is Sony VMC-AVM1, not Sony VCM-AVM1.

Greetings,

Matthias

#32 - Matthias Paul - 01/10/2014 - 18:50

Remote Control for Sony cameras with \\\\\\\"Multi Terminal\\\\\\\" (since 2012)

Sony abandoned the classical 3-pin remote release port (which was found on almost all Minolta, Konica Minolta and Sony Alpha cameras since 1985 so far) in 2012. The cameras can still be released per IR remote release and be controlled via USB (tethered shooting).

Since 2012 all new Sony cameras feature a USB 2.0 HighSpeed micro B connector rather than a USB mini B or a proprietary USB connector.

On most of these new cameras, however, the USB micro B connector is not labelled \\\\\\\"USB\\\\\\\" but \\\\\\\"Multi\\\\\\\" in order to indicate that it is a special Multi Terminal connector.

This Multi Terminal connector is compatible with a standard USB micro B connector but features 10 hidden contacts carrying additional signals for:

- power
- USB
- LANC
- composite video out
- stereo audio out
- remote release

Fortunately, the old 3-pin remote release interface is available here as well. While the proprietary Multi Terminal connector is not readily available, it is possible to \\\\\\\"hack\\\\\\\" a passive remote release adapter cable utilizing a (relatively cheap: 20-25 EUR) Sony VCM-AVM1 adapter cable.

Old 3-pin remote release:

R1 (\\\\\\\"C\\\\\\\") = ground / shield -> outer ring
R2 (\\\\\\\"F\\\\\\\") = activate camera / focussing -> middle ring
R3 (\\\\\\\"S\\\\\\\") = release shutter -> center pin

New Sony Multi Terminal:

M1 VBUS (+5V in, max. 2A)
M2 USBD-
M3 USBD+
M4 USB_ID
M5 GND
--
M6 +3.1V (for LANC_DC etc.)
M7 reserved
M8 LANC_SIG
M9 reserved
M10 SELECT (resistor against M6 or M14)
M11 Audio R out / activate camera / focussing
M12 Audio L out / release shutter
M13 Composite video out
M14 GND
M15 reserved

Not all functions may be provided by all camera models.

3-pin to Multi Terminal adapter cable based on a hacked VCM-AVM1:

M11 -- middle ring (\\\\\\\"F\\\\\\\") -- R2
M12 -- center pin (\\\\\\\"S\\\\\\\") -- R3
M14 -- outer ring (\\\\\\\"GND\\\\\\\") -- R1

More details can be found in this forum thread at Minolta-Forum:

http://www.mi-fo.de/forum/index.php?showtopic=34548&view=findpost&p=301669

Hope it helps,

Matthias

#31 - Matthias Paul - 01/04/2014 - 10:35

mr.

HI, i have a SONY NEX VG900 it has a D shape(10 point) type AV connector for a remote. The problem is i can not find a intervalometer with this type of connector, to trigger the shutter. does any one know how this connector work and what the ten pins do ???. Cheers peter

#30 - peter condon - 12/20/2013 - 06:05

Lic.

Hello dear friends! I have done a macro rail for focus stacking. I used a 16f877 TQFP or a 16f877a TQFP, an step by step motor, etc... and a optocoupler. In my Canon Kiss X50 or 1100D is works great but in a Nikon d7000 not. Could it be a problem in voltage? The optocoupler is a PC817.

#29 - Nicolás - 10/27/2013 - 04:08

Olympus multiport shutter cables and connectors

Hello, we sell Olympus multiport connectors and shutter/video out cables to Futaba connector if anyone need one at mobilexcopter.com :)

#28 - Alex - 10/09/2013 - 13:06

Thanks

Hi! Thanks this was really helpful!

#27 - Kate Maxwell - 10/03/2013 - 14:30

astronomer

i have a canon 20d for long exposure times. can the canon c3 plug be directly wired to laptop usb port? if so i need a schematic of the cable so i can build one. enjoy your forum.
thanks dennis

#26 - dennis - 09/10/2013 - 21:49

Adapter for Olympus OMD EM5 using FP-1 Flash Grip Booster

The Olympus Flash works fine with the FP-1 but Olympus does not make a cable for hooking the Flash Grip Booster to the OMD EM5 camera so the shutter release button on the FP-1 is not operational? any suggestions on a different cable or adapter?

Cheers
Louis

#25 - Louis Neill - 06/07/2013 - 19:45

i hope u could help me with my camcoder panasonic AG-HCK10 and its recorder AG-HMR10... The recorder has a socket for remote referred to as "2.5 mm super minijack to do S/S Zoom function"!! which i couldn't find a reference to it on web but i think it's 4 pole 2.5mm . i need schematic to make 4 pole plug do start/stop and zoom function

#24 - flamingburner - 01/06/2013 - 19:26

Slight Glitch

I think the photo of the Olympus E system connector has Focus and Ground labels interchanged.

#23 - Ric - 01/06/2013 - 17:06

Time laps trick with motion

HI. I'm thinking if this is just a switch or connection of tow wires (ground+shutter) = bulb ... then...
The timers /auto shutter remotes those are easily available in markets are only connecting these (ground+shutter) wires after a set of intervals.
My Question is...
..i have a DC motor, that is attached with some mechanism (i made) with RAIL + MY DSLR CAMERA.. if i power that motor, this camera drags on the RAIL... is it possible if i connect the same timer as parallel connection to the camera for timelaps and the motor to drag a bit after every interval... will it be safe for camera.. because.. to switch on the motor i use power and in camera only two connector is being connected..

I hope you understand my question.
Thank you

#22 - Muhammad Farooqi - 11/29/2012 - 12:16

Sigma DP1 remote shutter

Hello, Can I help me with this post?

http://hgtweaks.blogspot.com.es/2010/09/sigma-dp1s-external-trigger.html

I think fail power pin conection. Is the input wire conection a 3V or 5V?

Thanks

#21 - Francis - 10/19/2012 - 21:04

D90 vs, D300/3100/3200/5000/5100/7000

Its worth pointing out that the orientation of the socket changed from D90 compared to all the others (D300/3100/3200/5000/5100/7000). This is only an issue if you boought a device (say, a GPS) for the D90 which has a right-angled connectore. If yu change to one of the other cameras your plug still fits but now the cable points the other way.

If you don't mind cutting the cable and re-attaching the wires the opposite way around, this can be fixed however.

#20 - Chris Lilley - 10/18/2012 - 05:41

if the d90 and d3100 have the same remote release pin-out.. does this mean that i can use my third-party wireless shutter remote which is connected to the gps socket on the d90, will be compatible with the d3100?

#19 - ross - 08/15/2012 - 08:15

canon to panasonic

is it possible to adapt the canon 2.5mm shutter release to the panasonic?

#18 - Paul - 07/05/2012 - 16:40

Sigma pinout (SD-14, SD-15)

Connector like Canon but signals swapped (focus with shutter). I've been looking for that in the net but no source so I bought and checked myself. Please spread the word ;)

#17 - sigma_fan - 05/10/2012 - 23:12

2.5mm shutter release cables

The Pixel and Cactus V5 flash triggers also support a shutter release function, and use a 2.5mm 3 connection phono jack to plug into the flash trigger, and a camera specific cable to plug into the camera. Gadgetinfinity.com sells these cables:
http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/wired/

The ebay sellers foto4easy and cam.plus also sell these cables.

Note, the phottix cables seem to be wired differently than the Pixel/Cactus cables. I think the Pixel/Cactus cables have the ground wire at the tip, the focus in the middle, and the fire closest to the cable, and the Phottix has it the other way around. However, be sure to test it manually yourself, no matter what cable you get.

#16 - Michael Meissner - 03/15/2012 - 17:33

I think it might have been these guys

http://www.phottix.com/en/accessories.html

But I seem to remember someone who sold cables with a 2.5mm stereo connector on the end opposite the camera connector. Phototix cables have a 3.5mm stereo connector. I would like to find those with the 2.5mm connectors.

#15 - Don - 02/28/2012 - 22:58

Sorry

Sorry that I asked the same question twice but the first time it told me that I got the captcha wrong so I tried again. And that time it told me that there was already a post with the same information but I thought that the first post never went through so I modified the title and the phrasing of the post and tried again. Now I see that both went through and there is no apparent way to delete one of them. Oh well.

#14 - Don - 02/16/2012 - 21:48

Looking for cables

Thanks for doing this! I am now looking for a site that I visited once and can no longer find. It sells cables for a universal wired remote that they also sell. The cables all have a mini-jack plug on one end and a camera remote shutter connector on the other end. Does anyone know which site this might be? Thanks.

#13 - Don - 02/16/2012 - 08:35

Cable supplier?

Great stuff - thanks! Now I am looking for a site that I visited once and can't find now. It sells cables for a universal wired remote that they also sell. The cables all have a mini-jack on one end and a camera remote shutter connector on the other end. The cables were inexpensive - only about $6 as I recall. Does anyone know who this manufacturer might be? Thanks.

#12 - Don - 02/15/2012 - 21:41

mc-dc1 to mc-dc2

Hi,
Is there any adapter or cables+adapters combination to convert mc-dc1 shutter cable to mc-dc2 shutter cable type. I got a 5 meter shutter cable for d80 that I want to fit to d90 camera.
Many thanks !
Asaf

#11 - Asaf - 01/07/2012 - 22:26

Modified XPan remote socket

#10 - Monz - 01/03/2012 - 18:01

Modified XPan remote socket

Great site. Thank you for all the information. I have a Hasselblad XPan camera whose remote socket has been modified. Can you tell from this picture, which brand of socket has been used. There are two pins housed in a circular recess which is threaded.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/monz/6133440912/][img]http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6173/6133440912_556ebea79d.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/monz/6133440912/]xpan socket2[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/monz/]*monz*[/url], on Flickr

#9 - Monz - 01/03/2012 - 17:59

Ersatz Guru

On my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS6 there is no jack for the plug you describe (4 pole, 2.5mm). Also you call it a jack but the illustration is of a plug. Hmmm. Am I missing something? TIA, Jesse

#8 - Jesse Guy - 11/30/2011 - 08:08

Thank for the info on Olympus

#7 - luk - 11/10/2011 - 15:25

Olympus E510 problems

I found that for my camera is necessary to use shell instead of ground pin. Maybe it is problem of my camera, maybe not. If you have similar problem, try it this way.

#6 - joyo - 11/06/2011 - 23:19

MC-DC2 plug

its hirose mini-b 4pin
http://www.delock.com/produkte/gruppen/Kabel/Delock_Cable_USB-B_mini_4pin_Hirose_USB-A_15m_male-male_82208.html

#5 - ifoo - 09/10/2011 - 07:53

nikon

Do you know of any vendors that sell the nikon MC-DC2 plug alone? I'd love to just get the plug without having to buy a cheap release off ebay... Thanks for putting this info together!

#4 - ryan - 08/20/2011 - 17:38

Thankyou!

Thankyou for doing all this research. I am designing a remote shutter adrduino shield and am trying to maximise compatibilty with cameras. This post is a gem to me and has saved me a lot of time!

Best regards!

http://danthompsonsblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/arduino-timelapse-shield.html

#3 - Dan Thompson - 07/04/2011 - 05:11

R1 remote

I believe that the Sony R1 uses the LANC protocol for it's remote.

#2 - John Hedgecoe - 06/02/2011 - 08:40

Sony R1

The Sony R1 seems to work with the RM-VD1 remote control. I think this remote uses some kind of protocol for the communication, because it has to many functions for just 3 wires (stereo jack plug). Unfortunatelly I have no data about it.

#1 - luk - 05/19/2011 - 10:34

I have a Sony R1 can you help with the pin outs for remote triggering.

Thanks

#0 - simon - 05/01/2011 - 20:00


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