Sony has released a new Sky HDR app that you can purchase and download for Sony cameras. It is available in the Sony PlayMemories store for $9.99.
As Sony describes it, “This application lets you optimize the exposure when you shoot scenes containing vastly different brightness levels, such as dark landscapes with the sun in a clear blue sky.
By capturing the scene twice at different exposure and shutter speed settings, then combining the best of both images in a single image, this feature expresses a wide dynamic range without using a graduated ND filter.
Moreover, when you want to highlight hues such as those in a sunset, you can depict them with even greater expressive power by individually adjusting the White Balance setting of the sky and ground. The resulting HDR images can be saved in the RAW or JPEG format.”
The Sky HDR app is compatible with the following cameras:
- Sony NEX-5
- Sony NEX-6
- Sony A7
- Sony A7R
- Sony A6000
- Sony RX100M3
- Sony A7S
- Sony A5100
- Sony A7M2
- Sony RX100M4
- Sony RX10M2
- Sony A7RM2
- Sony A7SM2
- Sony RX1RM2
Am I the only one who thinks Sony creating micro transactions inside your camera for the latest features does more harm than good (at least in the current form)?
I get that micro transactions are massively important in the mobile space right now but the amount of friction an in-camera purchase creates is just too high compared to the ease at which we do on a smartphone. Additionally, Sony’s interface is just clunky (as usual) and purchasing on your camera is not a native action. First, you have to register on a computer by visiting Sony’s Playmemories website. Then, you have to login on your camera.
In all the ways that Sony is winning right now, I simply don’t see the upside to in-camera apps with today’s cameras. If Sony reduces the friction of the sale, then maybe this works out in the future. For now, however, it is just too niche to be an attractive “feature.”
You can find the Sky HDR app inside the PlayMemories tab on compatible Sony cameras, as well as on Sony’s PlayMemories website.
Wow. If the hardware is already capable, and all it takes is a software tweak/addition, then these features should’ve been made free. Even the mac os is now free. What next? Canon charging its future firmware updates? I loathe the possibility…..
This is their trend in the professional/semi-professional camera market as well. Basically pay to unlock features, but taking it down to a new level and making it “app”ified. Sony has done it with their EXPENSIVE digital cinema cameras and there was extreme backlash over it, but it did spur the FS7 market, which heavily influenced the FS5 market. Convergent Design has followed this path recently with their recorders. Avid has a STRONG history of doing this same exact thing – for years the lower end (Xpress) systems were just handcuffed Media Composers, looking for the right dongle…
Interestingly, these are not the newest models on the list, so maybe they’re just targeting older models with additional features so users can get more out of their camera without needing to invest in a new one?
It’s totally different in the professional arena though. Pros can be vultures when it comes to upgrades and capabilities in order to gain a competitive edge, just waiting for that next new feature. Some of them are financed by companies. And above all, they generate income from these equipment and softwares.
The normal Joe just uses them for his son’s birthday. Not really fair to charge people like him for it.
I agree, it’s kinda dumb. I did it on the RX100M4 to see if it would make a difference. I don’t remember what I bought, and I guess I haven’t used them.
Seems like a nice feature… but really Sony? Paying for “apps” to unlock your expensive camera’s features? Not very Kaizen of them. Thank you Fuji for continually improving your cameras with free upgrades.
https://www.playmemoriescameraapps.com
Thanks for sharing… more proof that Sony is screwing their high end camera owners. I see that you can $9.99 there for a time lapse app – Nikon includes it for free on all their cameras.