7 Best Canon Apps for Your Camera in 2024

By Tani Adams 17 days ago, Apps and Software

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Among all Canon camera apps, you can find both wired and wireless options for connecting your phone to your camera and making workflow easier. They are useful for remote shooting, camera control, and trouble-free transfer of photos to/from a mobile device. While there aren't many official photo enhancement solutions available yet, they all work pretty well.

Top 7 Canon Apps to Install

  1. Camera Connect & Control - Pro retouchers' choice
  2. Canon Camera Connect - Free app for fast transferring
  3. DSLR Controller - For Canon EOS DSLRs
  4. Helicon Remote - Tethered option for Canon shooters
  5. EOS Remote - For convenient remote shooting with Canon EOS
  6. Canon CameraWindow - For bulk transferring and viewing
  7. Magic Canon ViewFinder - For cinematic framing

You can use USB cables, Wi-Fi connections (if supported), and SD cards to transfer data and view the content of your camera on your mobile device. The majority of Canon apps work via Wi-Fi, so you don't need extra cords. Generally, the top options support a wide range of cameras and allow you to control various settings during the shooting.

1. Camera Connect & Control – Our Choice

Directly share pictures to other apps
  • USB or Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Mobile hotspot and GPS connection
  • Compatible with Nikon, Sony, and GoPro models
  • Most features are free
  • One-time purchase
  • Network connection issues

Verdict: CCC is not only a great option to work with Canon cameras but it is also considered the best Nikon app. It allows you to connect your camera to a mobile device to hone your skills and get more control over the shooting process. It has convenient tools for transferring files from s camera and sharing them on social networks, viewing protected files, focus bracketing, and managing settings from live view. You can transfer pictures in original quality very fast.

The paid version costs $5.99. In addition to the free features listed above, it allows you to use your mobile as a viewfinder. As soon as a photo is on your mobile, you can check its EXIF data (from the time and place of the shooting to the lens length). With the Pro version, you can use your phone in live view and burst mode. If you plan to connect your camera with a cable, please check the list of compatible USB cameras.

camera connect & control canon app

2. Canon Camera Connect

Transfer and save images shot to smartphone
  • Support JPEG, MP4, MOV, RAW (CR3/CR2)
  • Multilingual interface
  • Completely free
  • USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity
  • Remote shutter release
  • There may be connection problems over long distances
  • Restrictions on saving and exporting high-res images

Verdict: This is one of the official applications that is compatible with almost any Canon camera. You can visit the website and check if it fits your equipment. Like other Canon applications, Canon Camera Connect offers several connectivity options. It contains tools for downloading and saving images from a camera to mobile devices, remote shooting, defining location, and more.

Once the connection is established, you can send photos to a phone's album. When you press the remote shooting button, the image from a viewfinder will be displayed on the screen of a phone. You can remotely switch the shutter from your mobile via Bluetooth. Photos are transferred to a mobile in original quality. Like other free Canon apps, Canon Camera Connect has its drawbacks. This is a great option only if you don't plan to spend a dime.

camera connect canon app

3. Helicon Remote

Optimal tethered shooting solution
  • Available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
  • Can control macro rails and stepper motors
  • 3 shooting methods can be combined
  • 30-day fully functional trial period
  • Support for Nikon and some Sony products
  • Connection issues after iOS update
  • One-time purchase is not cheap

Verdict: Helicon Remote is considered the best camera tethering software that allows you to do many things from your mobile. It includes real-time photo transferring from a camera to a phone, automation of focus bracketing, exposure bracketing (HDR), and time-lapse shooting. You can record videos, change many settings, take burst shots with different exposures, set lens length and other key parameters such as white balance, temperature, and brightness.

A special mode allows you to remotely switch a camera shutter via Bluetooth if you are taking a selfie. With this tethering app, you can connect to your camera via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cable. You should be aware that not all cameras have USB OTG (host mode) connectors. Don't forget to check the compatibility list. This is one of the most expensive Canon camera apps so it is recommended for professional photographers. A basic license for one device costs $48.

helicon remote canon app

4. DSLR Controller

Control your Canon EOS
  • Wide range of supported features
  • Wired and wireless connection
  • No root access required
  • You can switch on a grid
  • Multiple display filters
  • Requires learning
  • May not work correctly on new Android versions
dslr controller logo
DSLR Controller

Verdict: It is the oldest and most feature-rich app for remote control from your smartphone or tablet. It was developed for a DSLR camera like Canon EOS. It controls a camera through a phone, using its screen as a viewfinder. You can take pictures with your phone after previewing them, change common settings, scale, control zoom, and even choose lens length to make pictures look more like camera footage.

It provides Live View with highlighted overexposed areas, capture, autofocus, image and video review, time-lapse, HDR/AEB, and focus bracketing. You can even set color parameters such as white balance, temperature, and the like. The paid version costs $7.99. However, you may need to consider other Canon apps as it is not compatible with all models by this brand. This is especially true if you plan to connect via cable.

dslr controller canon app

5. EOS Remote

Remote viewing and photo checking
  • Simultaneous transfer
  • Face ID writes names on images
  • Transfer via Wi-Fi, USB cable, and hotspot
  • You can get and add GPS data
  • Completely free
  • Transfers JPEG files only
  • Connectivity issues after updates
eos remote logo
EOS Remote

Verdict: This is a great choice if you need a free app for cheap Canon cameras like EOS. With it, you can connect your mobile phone to a camera via Wi-Fi or USB cable. Keep in mind that not all cameras have a USB connector, so be sure to check that out. However, it is not the best Canon app for newer models. I recommend using Canon Camera Connect from this list in this case.

You can use this free app to remotely set the focus and some parameters like white balance, temperature, and even lens length. Plus, you can shoot in HDR mode. Also, you can use the application to transfer pictures from a camera to your mobile. This is very handy if you need to free memory on your camera quickly.

eos remote canon app

6. Canon CameraWindow

Up to 500 thumbnails on one screen
  • Automatic backups
  • It is available for business and personal
  • Notifications if backups fail
  • Easy restore process
  • Absolutely free
  • Weak functionality
  • Expensive subscription
canon camerawindow logo
Canon CameraWindow

Verdict: This is the best Canon app for transferring images taken with compact digital cameras. This free official app allows you to transfer photos and videos to your mobile phone quickly and easily wherever you are. All photos are saved in their original quality, so you won't lose anything.

Moreover, you can use it for shooting and switching the camera shutter remotely. You can even set some parameters like white balance, contrast, brightness. As always, don't forget to check the list of compatible devices.

camerawindow canon app

7. Magic Canon ViewFinder

Director's ViewFinder for preproduction
  • Works with multiple camera brands
  • Selects the aspect ratio of a guide frame
  • You can apply LUTs
  • Simulates the use of TV adapters and anamorphic optics
  • Captures video with focal length data and time
  • Ads in a free version
  • You must hold a phone according to the 'nodal point' of a real lens
magic canon viewfinder logo
Magic Canon ViewFinder

Verdict: This app is not really connected to your Canon camera. It imitates your lens and camera and works like a standalone director's viewfinder so you can frame your shot properly. It allows you to take better pictures with your mobile phone. Plus, you can preview how a picture will look and change something if you are not satisfied. This is one of the popular Canon applications and it can be used both for free and by subscription ($1.49/month). In the paid version, you can disable ads and activate options for rails, optical adapters, and anamorphic indexes, as well as get more LUTs.

The application can be useful for filmmakers who are looking for a perfect location for filming. You can see the exact field of view that will be in the future image. Also, you can turn the digital dial to change the length of the lens. Magic Canon ViewFinder has many technologies for saving time without setting up all your equipment. You should keep in mind that this application does not turn your phone into an external monitor.

magic viewfinder canon app
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