Currently pending approval by Apple, onOne's DSLR Remote operates thru a server application which runs on a Mac or Windows computer connected to certain Canon single-lens reflex digital camera models. Connection between computer and camera can be made by USB, Firewire, or Canon's Wireless File Transmitter. The iPhone or iPod Touch communicate with the server application via either wireless internet or an ad-hoc wifi network.

The DSLR Remote server application can not only transfer commands sent by the iPhone / iPod Touch to the camera, but allows the captured image to be viewed on the handheld device. If the camera supports live view over USB, the server can also send this stream to the iPhone or iPod Touch, allowing the Apple devices to act as remote viewfinders. Camera functions which can be remotely controlled include the shutter (with on/off bulb mode functionality), shutter speed, aperture, and white balance. At the current time, focusing is not possible remotely, and nor is video recording on the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

A flick of the finger on the iPhone or iPod Touch screen can scroll through captured images, and if the device is tilted on its side, the view automatically rotates so as to fill the screen. It's also possible to zoom in and check focus or fine details by double-tapping on an image. A further nice touch is that the iPhone or iPod Touch can act as an intervalometer, automatically triggering shots at predefined intervals.

Supported camera bodies include the consumer-oriented Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XS and XSi, the mid-range EOS 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D, and 5D Mark II, the professional EOS-1D Mark II, Mark IIn, and Mark III, and finally the EOS-1Ds Mark II and Mark III. Remote live view is supported on the Rebel XSi, the EOS 40D, 50D, and 5D Mark II, the EOS-1Ds Mark III, and the EOS-1D Mark III. Currently, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i is not supported by Canon's SDK, and hence is likewise not supported by onOne's app.

Once approved for sale in the iTunes App Store by Apple, onOne's DSLR Remote will be sold at an introductory price of around $10 - an easy impulse buy. Regular pricing will be in the region of $20. For those who don't want the full feature-set, a special version which can only trigger the shutter remotely will be offered for just $2.

Shooters using other brands, take heart. onOne hasn't forgotten you, noting in their blog entry that presuming all goes well with their initial app, they are considering an equivalent Nikon-compatible release in the future. Owners of Olympus, Pentax and Sony cameras are suggested to voice their desires for an equivalent version via the onOne blog.

For more details, read the announcement post, view the introductory video, and browse the DSLR Remote questions and answers post...

onOne Software's DSLR Remote teaser image. Photo provided by onOne Software.