Nikon & Sony cameras
Which Nikon and Sony models work with Q-Booth, how to set them up, and what each brand can't do.
Q-Booth can use a Nikon or Sony camera the same way as a Canon: live view, photos, Studio Camera and events. This page lists which models work, how to set them up and what each brand can't do.
Note
Nikon and Sony are available since Q-Booth 5.9.4.0. On an older version, update the app first.
Supported models
Nikon
| Group | Models |
|---|---|
| DSLR | D3, D3S, D3X, D4, D4S, D5, D6, D300, D300S, D500, D600, D610, D700, D750, D780, D800, D800E, D810, D810A, D850, Df, D90, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500 |
| Mirrorless (Z) | Z 7, Z 6II, Z 7II, Z 8, Z 9, Z 50 |
| Not supported yet | D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500, Nikon 1, and the Z 5, Z 6, Z 6III, Z f, Z fc, Z 30, Z 50II |
An unsupported Nikon shows "… is not supported by QBooth" when you press Configure or start an event.
Sony
Sony bodies that have PC Remote in the camera's USB menu and speak Sony's "Camera Control PTP 2" — for example A7 II, A7 III, A7R III, A6100, A6400, A6600, RX100 V A, RX10 IV and HX99. Many newer bodies (A7 IV, A6700, ZV-E10, FX3…) speak it too.
Important
Q-Booth has been tested on a Nikon D5100 and a Sony A7 II. The other models listed should work the same way but haven't been tried yet — do a test run before an event.
Before you start
- Close other camera software (Nikon Camera Control Pro, NX Tether, Nikon Transfer, Sony Imaging Edge) and any Windows photo import window. Only one program can control the camera.
- Sony: in the camera menu, set USB Connection to PC Remote.
- Nikon: keep a memory card in the camera — many Nikon bodies won't take a photo without one, even when photos are saved to the PC.
- Turn the mode dial to P, S (Tv), A (Av) or M to change exposure from Q-Booth.
- Set image quality to JPEG, or RAW + JPEG (Q-Booth uses the JPEG and deletes the RAW copy). RAW only shows an error and waits: set JPEG, then click Retry.
- For long events, use a mains power adapter and set the camera's auto power-off to the longest time.
- Nikon D5100 and similar: live view uses a lot of battery — a full battery lasts about 40 minutes, so use a mains adapter (D5100: EP-5A + EH-5b) for events. The camera's own live-view timer (every few minutes) is undone automatically; live view may blink for a second.
Setup
- Connect the camera with a USB cable and switch it on.
- In Settings › Hardware, turn Status on and set Type to Nikon or Sony. The camera appears in Device (press the refresh icon if you plugged it in after opening Settings). Picking a device is optional — Q-Booth finds the camera on USB by itself.
- Nikon, once per PC: the card shows Download Nikon camera files (14.3 MB) instead of Configure. Click it (needs internet). It covers every supported Nikon model, so switching to another Nikon body later needs nothing more.
- Click Configure. Q-Booth connects and shows the live view.
- Set the options below, click Test Capture to take a real test shot, then Save and Save Settings.
Options in the Configure window
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Camera Model (Nikon only) | Leave on Detect automatically. Pick your model only if the camera isn't found. |
| Orientation / Flip result image | Same as for a Canon or webcam. |
| Save Location | Save to PC or Save to PC + Camera. |
| Autofocus before each photo | The camera focuses before every shot. |
| Camera Settings | ISO, aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation, white balance, image quality and image size — on Nikon also release mode and focus mode. A setting left on Camera (…) keeps whatever the camera itself is set to. |
| Test Capture / Retake | Takes a test shot and shows it; Retake goes back to live view. |
Compared with Canon
These Canon options are not available for Nikon and Sony:
- Use Separate Settings for live view — one set of settings serves both the live view and the photo.
- Shoot from the camera — live view is always on and the photo is taken from Q-Booth. The camera's own shutter button doesn't take the guest's photo: on the Nikon D5100 nothing happens, and on the Sony A7 II the photo is taken but Q-Booth ignores it.
- External flash mode.
Sony limits
- Focus mode is set on the camera body, not in Q-Booth.
- In AF-S, when the camera can't focus (lens cap on, a plain wall), Q-Booth says so within about 3 seconds. Point it at the guest and try again.
- Exposure compensation only works in P, A or S, or in M with ISO AUTO.
- Sony changes ISO one step at a time, so a big ISO change can take several seconds.
Common problems
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| "No Nikon / Sony camera found" | Switch the camera on, check the cable, close Nikon / Sony software. For Sony, check USB Connection → PC Remote. |
| "The Nikon camera files are not downloaded yet" | Open Settings › Hardware and click Download Nikon camera files on the Nikon card. |
| The Nikon won't take a photo | Insert a memory card. |
| "The camera is busy" | Wait a moment and try again. |
| Error about RAW | Set image quality to JPEG or RAW + JPEG on the camera (or in Configure, if it was set to RAW there), then click Retry. |
| "The camera battery is too low for live view" | Charge or replace the battery, or use a mains adapter, then click Retry. |
| The cable was pulled during an event | Q-Booth shows an error with Retry. Plug the camera back in and click Retry. |
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