Director Mode shows up to four cameras from Canon and Sony side by side on an iPhone or iPad and, if desired, starts all recordings at the same time. The app has recently arrived in the App Store. Behind the novelty is a small team from Florence around filmmaker Claudio Ripalti. Canon and Sony have nothing to do with the project. CineD presents the app in a post.
What can the app do with multiple cameras?
The live images appear in a grid. For each camera you set ISO, shutter speed, aperture, white balance and autofocus, and you start or stop recording individually or via REC ALL for all cameras at once. Monitoring includes waveform, focus peaking, frame guides, desqueeze, custom LUTs, touch focus and tally indicators. Depending on the model, the connection runs via Wi-Fi, LAN or USB-C, as the App Store listing describes.
The scope differs by model. With the Sony a7 V, the app adds AF modes, frame rate, slow motion and time-lapse (S&Q) as well as a shutter angle function. Canon's Cinema EOS models offer AF hold and telemetry with battery, remaining recording time and card status.
The latency depends heavily on the connection. Via USB-C, the developer states around 30 milliseconds for the Canon EOS R6 Mark III and 40 for the Sony a7 V, and via Wi-Fi around 110 to 130. CineD did not verify these manufacturer figures and recommends the cable as soon as you pull focus via the app.
CineD currently considers a third-party app the only realistic way to bring Canon and Sony together on one screen. The author wishes for more cooperation between the manufacturers, but does not believe it will happen.
What does Pro cost, and which cameras work?
Director Mode Basic is free and connects one compatible camera. Pro unlocks up to four cameras, REC ALL, focus peaking and the remaining monitoring tools. The unlock is a one-time in-app purchase with no expiry date, and the App Store shows the amount in Germany. The developer calls the price an introductory price, and CineD expects a later increase.
Director Mode: Basic und Pro
Was die App im Basic-Umfang und mit der Pro-Freischaltung leistet
Im kostenlosen Basic
- Eine kompatible Kamera gleichzeitig
- WLAN, LAN nur bei Cinema EOS, USB-C nur bei Sony
Mit Pro
- Bis zu vier Kameras gleichzeitig
- REC ALL und alle Monitoring-Werkzeuge
- Focus Peaking
- USB-C auch bei der Canon EOS R
Pro ist ein einmaliger In-App-Kauf, der Funktionsumfang hängt vom Kameramodell ab
Quellen: CineD, App Store, Director Mode
The developer lists 26 camera models. For Canon, the EOS R models run via the CCAPI over Wi-Fi or USB-C, and the Cinema EOS models via the XC protocol over Wi-Fi or LAN. Sony Alpha and FX connect via Wi-Fi or USB-C. The Canon C70, C300 Mark III and C500 Mark II need an external Wi-Fi adapter, and the compatibility page names the WFT-E9 for this. On the C50, LAN only works with a USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter and the DR-E6P coupler.
The app runs on iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6 and later, and the App Store listing additionally mentions visionOS 1.3. The interface is in English, and no Android version exists.
What this means for you
First check on the compatibility page whether your camera model is listed with the appropriate connection type. The page itself points out that features depend on model, firmware and setup. CineD recommends this check before purchase.
It's best to try Basic with one camera and pay attention to the latency. For focus work via the app, plug in the USB-C cable, provided the camera and tablet or phone support it.
If you need several angles from Canon and Sony at the same time for interviews, concert recordings or events, there is no way around Pro. Only the display of a single camera stays free.
CineD published the post on Director Mode on November 9, 2026.
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