Use your Sony Camera as a Webcam without the need for a Capturer

Sony was one of the few still photography brands to launch its own solution to turn its cameras into the best webcam for video conferencing and streaming. Now to finally do it, Imaging Edge Webcam is the application that allows you to use up to 35 different Sony cameras as a Webcam. Although there is an option to use other non-compatible models. We show you how to do all this and without resorting to the use of a video capture device.

Turn your Sony camera into the best webcam

Use your Sony Camera as a Webcam without the need for a Capturer
Use your Sony Camera as a Webcam without the need for a Capturer
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Imaging Edge Webcam is Sony’s new application with which you can make high-quality video conferences and stream with a wide variety of cameras, from the popular alpha to the latest models such as the Sony ZV-1 or the most recent Sony a7S III. This application is available to download from the official Sony website and allows you to use them without having to buy a video recorder. An option that has logical advantages, but the great disadvantage of being an extra expense.

So let’s see how this new application works and what you should keep in mind. First of all, the application to convert Sony cameras into webcam has been updated and already offers support for both Windows and Mac.

Therefore, not only users who stream games from their PCs will benefit but also all those other users who use a Mac for video conferences, online courses, etc. The quality of their video will improve and that will be an important benefit for them and for those who watch them.

Continuing with the theme, the cameras supported by Imaging Edge Webcam are 35 models in total. These range from the models included in the Sony alpha series to others somewhat older or from the family of compact offered by the manufacturer. The complete list of compatible cameras is below:

Sony E-mount cameras

  • Sony a7 II
  • Sony a7 III
  • Sony a7R II
  • Sony a7R III
  • Sony a7RM4
  • Sony a7S
  • Sony a7SM2
  • Sony a7SM3
  • Sony a9
  • Sony a9M2
  • Sony a5100
  • Sony a6100
  • Sony a6300
  • Sony a6400
  • Sony a6500
  • Sony a6600

Sony mount

  • Sony 77 II
  • Sony 99 II
  • Sony 68

Sony compact cameras (DSC)

  • Sony DSC-HX95
  • Sony DSC-HX99
  • Sony DSC-RX0
  • Sony DSC-RX0 II
  • Sony DSC-RX100 IV
  • Sony DSC-RX100 V
  • Sony DSC-RX100 VI
  • Sony DSC-RX100 VII
  • Sony DSC-RX10 II
  • Sony DSC-RX10 III
  • Sony DSC-RX10 IV
  • Sony DSC-RX1R II
  • Sony DSC-WX700
  • Sony DSC-WX800

How to use Imaging Edge Webcam

To use Imaging Edge Webcam the first and logical thing is to download the application. To do this, you just have to go to the Sony website and follow the following steps:

  1. Access the Imaging Edge Webcam download page
  2. Select the model of your camera by checking its corresponding box
  3. The download button is activated and you can now click to get the application
  4. Then install the application on your Windows PC
  5. Launch the app

Now that you have the application downloaded and installed, the next step is to prepare your Sony camera. What you have to do next is enable the option that allows remote control through the computer. Depending on the camera model, this option will be in one menu or another. Basically, the different options that you can find are the following.

Sony a9 II and a7R IV cameras

In these cameras, you will have to go to the menu and then to the Network settings page. There you have to look for the Smartphone Control options and deactivate them. Then the Remote PC settings enable them and set the connection method as USB.

Sony ZV-1 cameras

In Sony’s small vlogging camera the process is very similar, although it only takes two steps. The first is in Menu> Network> Ctrl with Smartphone to activate the function and then in Network> Remote PC to re-enable the control.

Rest of the Sony cameras

For the rest of Sony cameras compatible with the application, the process is as follows:

  1. Open the menu
  2. Access the Network settings
  3. Activate Smartphone Control
  4. Then go to the USB connection settings page and activate the remote PC option

Ready, you have everything configured in your Sony camera, whatever model is among all the compatible ones to start using the application. So the next step is to connect the camera to the PC through the included USB cable or another one you have available.

Before doing so put the camera in Auto mode. Once it has been connected and with the application started, you will be able to switch to video mode, but at first, there are cameras that need it to be this way to be detected correctly.

From this moment on, you will be ready to use your Sony camera as the best possible webcam when it comes to videoconferencing or streaming, being able to take advantage of technologies such as its autofocus system, color profiles, etc.

The only thing you will have to do is select the camera in the application you are going to use. For example, if you use OBS for streaming, you will have to go to its source settings and choose the Imaging Edge Webcam source in Video Capture (this is how it will appear). In the same way, if you want to use it in other tools such as Zoom, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, or Skype.

It is also important and interesting that you take into account some of the tips that Sony gives regarding its use. And it is that they recommend not connecting any other USB devices while the camera is being used and that it is disabled in automatic sleep mode of the PC. And finally, if the camera supports charging via USB, activate the option. Thus while you are using it with the PC, the battery will not discharge, cutting the signal in the middle of the broadcast.