Summary
- Sony has released version 3.0 of the Monitor & Control app
- EL Zone, vectorscope and Image Overlay have been added
- The app now supports the Sony α7R VI and FX5
- The FX5 supports simultaneous connections from multiple devices
- Multi-Camera Monitoring gains vertical shooting and USB connectivity
- EL Zone, Image Overlay, vertical shooting and automatic Snapshot saving are paid features
Sony is significantly expanding the monitoring capabilities available through mobile devices.
Version 3.0 of the Monitor & Control app adds EL Zone, vectorscope, Image Overlay and new multi-camera features, while introducing support for the Sony α7R VI and FX5.
The update is particularly important for professional filmmakers and video creators, as it brings exposure, color and composition tools commonly found on dedicated production monitors to smartphones and tablets.
EL Zone for exposure control
The most notable addition is support for EL Zone, a tool that visualizes exposure according to stop values.
Using this method, different parts of the frame are displayed according to their deviation from a selected reference value. Operators can therefore assess the brightness of faces, shadows and highlights more accurately.
EL Zone can also make it easier to recreate lighting setups and maintain consistent exposure between different scenes. The feature is available as part of a paid plan.
Vectorscope for color monitoring
The application also gains a vectorscope, allowing users to visually check the hue and saturation of their footage.
The tool is particularly useful in productions involving more than one camera, as it can help reduce color differences between shots.
Combined with the exposure tools, the vectorscope offers more accurate control over both brightness and color reproduction.
Image Overlay for repeatable shots
The Image Overlay feature allows a previously captured photograph or an image stored on the device to be displayed over the live view.
Users can adjust the transparency of the reference image and directly compare the subject’s position, composition and camera angle.
The feature can be useful for repeated shoots, product photography, stop motion, visual effects and productions requiring precise frame matching. Image Overlay is a paid feature.
Support for the Sony α7R VI and FX5
Version 3.0 adds compatibility with the Sony α7R VI and FX5.
The FX5 now supports simultaneous connections from multiple devices, allowing more members of a production team to monitor or operate the compatible camera from separate devices.
New Multi-Camera Monitoring capabilities
Multi-Camera Monitoring now supports shooting with cameras positioned vertically. This addition is available through a paid plan.
Support for USB connections has also been added, providing another option alongside wireless connectivity when working with multiple cameras.
Automatic Snapshot saving
The Snapshot feature gains an automatic saving function for images captured through the application.
This is also a paid feature and could speed up the creation and organization of reference images during a production.
Which features require a subscription
According to the version notes, the following are identified as paid features:
- EL Zone
- Vertical-position shooting in Multi-Camera Monitoring
- Image Overlay
- Automatic saving in the Snapshot feature
Paid options are displayed only in countries and regions where Monitor & Control subscription plans are available.
By contrast, vectorscope support, USB connectivity in Multi-Camera Monitoring, compatibility with the α7R VI and FX5, and simultaneous multi-device connections for the FX5 are not marked as subscription features in the update notes.
What we think
Version 3.0 turns Monitor & Control into a more complete production tool, particularly for users who rely on a mobile device as an external monitor. EL Zone, vectorscope and Image Overlay are meaningful additions, although placing several of them behind a subscription reduces the value of the free version.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EL Zone?
EL Zone is an exposure visualization tool based on stop values, helping users assess the brightness of different areas of the frame more accurately.
Is EL Zone free in Sony’s application?
No. In version 3.0, EL Zone is identified as a paid feature and is available only in regions where subscription plans are offered.
What does Image Overlay provide?
It places a transparent reference image over the live view, allowing users to recreate composition, subject position and camera angle accurately.
Which new cameras are supported?
The application adds support for the Sony α7R VI and FX5.
What changes for the Sony FX5?
The FX5 can now accept simultaneous connections from multiple devices through the Monitor & Control application.
