Camera Controller Supported Camera List

Camera Controller uses the camera manufacturers Software Developers Kit (SDK) to communicate with a particular camera.  All camera communication takes place through a camera support module that provides a common interface to Camera Controller on one side and communicates with the camera - via the SDK - on the other side.  When you select a camera model in Camera Controller, you are selecting which camera support module Camera Controller should use to communicate with the camera.  Not all cameras will have a camera support module designed specifically for them.  The suggested camera model for each supported camera is show in the following tables.

The links below will direct you to the list of cameras supported by the selected manufacturer.

Olympus Cameras
How to make your own camera support module

Olympus Camera Support

About Olympus Camera Support
Olympus Registry Strings
Obtaining a firmware Upgrade

About Olympus Camera Support

Olympus provides four SDKs to communicate with it's camera line.  The V1.5 SDK is used for old serial only cameras, the V2.0 SDK is used for the older USB cameras, the V3.0 SDK works with the newer USB auto-connect cameras, and the E-Series SDK for the E-Series cameras.  The list of cameras supported by Camera Controller for each SDK follows.

Also, Your camera's firmware version is critically important to your success with Camera Controller.  Many cameras were originally shipped - particularly the first versions of new camera models - with firmware versions that do not work with Camera Controller.  We have begun compiling a list of the firmware versions that work with Camera Controller.  This list is incomplete but it may help you.  We will continue to update it as we get more information.  If your camera does not have at least the firmware version shown in the tables below, it will not work with Camera Controller.

Olympus camera firmware versions can be found in the Exif data of any picture taken with the camera.  Use an Exif reader to display the "Software" tag.  Alternatively, you can open the picture with notepad and find the firmware version in plain, readable text somewhere near the beginning of the file.  The number that matters is the number after the "-"  The numbers preceding the "-" identify the camera model.

V1.5 SDK Cameras

The V1.5 SDK cameras are not supported.

V2.0 SDK Cameras

Model Camera Controller Model Registry String Minimum Firmware Support Level
D-360L Olympus D-490 Not required Any Full
D-460 Olympus D-490 Not required Full
D-490 Olympus D-490 Not required Full
C-211 Olympus D-490 Not required Full
C-2100 Olympus C-2100UZ Not required v352u-73 Full
C-3000 Olympus C-3000Z Not required v353p-75 Full
C-3030 Olympus C-3030Z Not required v351u-78 Full

V3.4 SDK Cameras

Model Camera Controller Model Registry String Minimum Firmware Support Level
C-2040 Olympus C-2040Z C-2040ZOOM Any Full
C-3100/C-3020 Olympus C-3020Z C3100Z/C3020Z,C-3100ZOOM,C-3020ZOOM,C-3020ZOOM(U) Full
C-360/D-575 Generic Olympus V3.4 Camera X350,D575Z,C360Z Full
C-3040 Olympus C-3040Z C-3040ZOOM Full
C-4100/C-4000 Olympus C-4000Z C4100Z/C4000Z Full
C-40/D-40 Generic Olympus SDK V3.0 Camera C-40Z/D-40Z v553u-77 Full
C-4040 Olympus C-4040Z C-4040ZOOM,C-4040Z v552u-a79 Full
C-5050 Olympus C-5050Z C5050Z v558-78 Full
C-5060 Olympus C-5060WZ C5060WZ v756-81 Full
C-700 Olympus C-700UZ C-700UltraZoom v357-78 Full
C-730 Olympus C-730UZ C730UZ Any Full
C-740 Olympus C-740UZ C740UZ v754u-83 Full
C-750 Olympus C-750UZ C750UZ v753u-83 Full
C-760 Olympus C-750UZ C760UZ   Full
C-765 Olympus C-750UZ C765UZ   Full
C-70/C7000 Olympus C-8080WZ C70Z,C7000Z,C70Z/C7000Z Full
C-7070 Olympus C-8080WZ C7070Z,C7070WZ Full
C-8080 Olympus C-8080WZ C8080WZ Full
E-100RS Olympus E-100RS E-100RS v151-u79 Full
SP-350UZ Olympus SP500 SP350UZ Version 1.3 Full
SP-500UZ Olympus SP500 SP500UZ Version 1.1 Full
SP-700UZ Olympus SP500 SP700UZ Version 1.1 Full

E Series SDK Cameras

Model Camera Controller Model Registry String Minimum Firmware Support Level
E-1 Generic Olympus E-Series Camera Not required PC Only
E-300 Generic Olympus E-Series Camera Not required PC Only
E-330 Olympus E-330 Not required PC Only
E-500 Generic Olympus E-Series Camera Not required PC Only

Obtaining Firmware Updates for Olympus Cameras

Olympus is now providing software and firmware updates for the newest camera models on line at http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/#firmware.  The newest cameras can also be updated via the Olympus Master software that came with your PC.

Older model cameras that require firmware updates must be sent to Olympus Service to be upgraded.

Olympus registry strings

The Olympus V3.4 SDK requires camera id strings placed in the registry before the SDK will recognize the camera.  New versions of camera support modules will add the string for you but if you're using an older version, you can add the string yourself with regedit.  This will allow your camera to work but some camera features may not be available.  To add the registry string for your camera, use the following procedure:

  1. If running, stop camera controller.
  2. Run regedit.  Caution!  Run regedit at your own risk!  The improper use of regedit can be devastating to your installation of Windows.
  3. Locate the key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Olympus\Rye\SupportedCamera - the key will already contain a string value called TYPE_S.
  4. Select the TYPE_S value and hit enter to edit it.
  5. Replace the current value with the value in the "Registry String" column in the above table for your particular model camera.  The string must be exactly as shown, including case.
  6. Click "OK" to save the new value.
  7. Exit from regedit.
  8. Run camera controller and verify connectivity.

Also, as of version 1.04.0006, a tool called OlyReg.exe is installed in the Camera Controller installation folder.  This tool makes it very easy to view and change the current string.  To use, simply run the tool and the current Type_S string will be displayed in the text box.  Either replace the current string with the string for your camera or add the string for your camera to the end of the current string, separating it with a "," (no spaces).  Then click update, exit the OlyReg tool, and run Camera Controller to verify connectivity.

Using the Find Olympus Strings SnapIn

Camera strings for new camera models can usually be inserted using the Find Olympus Strings snapin installed with camera controller.  Follow the procedure below to use the snapin.

  1. Make sure the camera is in PC control mode.  See PC Control Mode for details.
  2. Run Camera Controller.
  3. Click past all the errors to get to the main window.
  4. Select SnapIns/Find Olympus Strings from the main menu.
  5. Locate and select your camera in the list presented.
  6. Click the add button.
  7. Close the snapin and restart camera controller to find the camera.

How to determine the correct string for your camera

If your supported camera isn't in the list above or the string in the list above doesn't work, you can try looking for the correct string in the registry.  The correct string is part of a key in the registry located in the device enumeration list section of the registry.  To locate it, do the following.

  1. Run regedit.  Caution!  Run regedit at your own risk!  The improper use of regedit can be devastating to your installation of Windows.
  2. Locate the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USBSTOR\
  3. Under this key, you will see one or more keys that look something like what is shown highlighted in the following screen snapshot.
  4. You may have multiple keys.  Look for the key which starts with "Disk&Ven_OLYMPUS".  In the example shown in the screen snapshot, the key for my C750 is the highlighted key "Disk&Ven_OLYMPUS&Prod_C750UZ&Rev_1.00"
  5. The correct string is the part of the key which follows the "Disk&Ven_OLYMPUS&Prod_" up to the next "&".  In the example shown in the screen snapshot, the correct string for my C750 is "C750UZ". 

Upgrading your firmware

Olympus has posted an SDK compatible firmware update for the C5060 and other cameras at http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/#firmware . 

PLEASE NOTE: The C740 and C750 firmware updates also found at this location are NOT SDK compatible.  If you want to use your camera with Camera Controller, DO NOT install the C740 and C750 updates found at this location.

The newest cameras can be upgraded online using the Olympus Master software provided with the camera.

For all remaining cameras, the only way to upgrade your camera firmware is to send your camera into your local Olympus service center.  Camera firmware is NOT user-upgradeable.  It may help to send the form letter at http://www.arrakis.cc/olycamupgrade.html along as well.  Also, see http://www.pinetreecomputing.com/camctl_olycoupon.asp for information on obtaining a coupon to obtain the firmware upgrade for only $29.95USD + S&H.

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What is firmware?

There are three "wares" - hardware, firmware, and software. 

Hardware is the physical component of a device.  For example, lenses, CCD's, CPU's, SmartMedia cards, motors, shutter buttons, and ROM's (Read-Only Memory), are just some of the hardware that make up a camera.

Firmware is low-level programming instructions stored in a hardware device, usually a ROM, that tells the hardware what to do.  For example, the firmware in your camera is the glue between the shutter button and CPU in the camera that tells the CPU to use the other hardware to take a picture when the shutter button is pressed.  Firmware deals directly with the hardware at the lowest levels of control.  Firmware is usually somewhat difficult to change - often requiring physically removing and replacing a hardware component (the ROM) to update it.  Some firmware (stored on a FlashROM) can be updated via a serial or USB port but it can be a tricky and dangerous process that, if it fails, can leave the hardware in-operable.

Software is high level programming instructions that can tell a device made up of both hardware and firmware what to do.  For example, Camera Controller is software.  In general, software does not deal directly with hardware but rather controls the hardware indirectly though the firmware and the CPU subsystems in the hardware device.  Software is usually very easy to update and does not change or modify either firmware or hardware.  Since software does not modify firmware or hardware, updating software cannnot physically break  a hardware device.