Camera remote release pinout list

Most DSLR and SLR cameras can be triggered remotely using a release cable. Unfortunately the connectors used for the external release have rather exotic shapes. Below you will find the pinouts for the common camera types. The standard solution consists of three wires: ground, focus and shutter. To focus the camera the focus wire has to be connected to ground. To release the camera both wires have to be connected to ground.

Canon

All Canon EOS cameras are equipped with a remote release connector. There are two types of plugs. Refer to this article for more details on the electrical data of the external trigger ports. Most types can be released by pulling down just the shutter wire.

2.5mm Jack Connector

This connector is used with:
EOS 350D, 400D, 450D, 500D, 550D, 600D, 650D, 700D, 750D, 760D,
EOS 60D, 70D, 80D,
EOS 1000D, 1100D, 1200D, 1300D.
The 60D is the first two digit camera using a jack plug. It's is a DIY friendly stereo (3 pole) 2.5 mm jack plug. It is not the standard plug used in mp3-players etc. which has a diameter of 3.5 mm! But don't worry, you can buy this smaller plug in a bigger electronics store. The 'official' remote controller with this plug sold by Canon is called RS-60 E3.

N3 Connector

This connector is used with the EOS 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D, 5Dmk2, 5Dmk3, 5Dmk4, 5DS, 6D, 7D, 7Dmk2 and all types of the 1D. The only way to get the connector is canibalising a cheap remote control. The 'official' remote controller with this plug sold by Canon is called RS-60 N3.

Fuji (Fujifilm)

Fuji has currently three types of wired shutter release connectors.

2.5mm Jack Plug

Some of the Fujis have the standard 2.5mm jack socket to connect the microphone. This socket also serves as a shutter release socket. The wiring is compatible with Canon and Pentax (see above) and cheap remotes designed for these brands can be used. This DIY friendly connection exists in the models:
X-T1, X-T10, X-T20, X-E1, X-E2.

Fujifilm RR-80

Cameras specified to work with the Fuijfilm RR-80 remote control can be controlled using a miniUSB plug and some additional circuitry. The male miniUSB plug is offered by bigger electronic component vendors.
The images below show the wiring of an adapter cable to the standard jack plug as needed by the SmaTrig for example. the cable.

This cable works with the models:
FUJIFILM X-S1, X-E1,
FinePix HS30EXR, HS33EXR, HS25EXR, HS28EXR, HS20EXR, HS22EXR,
S205EXR, S200EXR, S100FS.

Fujifilm RR-80A

The RR-80A has a proprietary plug that will be hard to find. The only advantage compared to the RR-80 is the additional compatibility to the HS50EXR. Adapters from the RR-80 to the RR-80A plug exist and are probably the only way for DIYers to control for the HS50EXR. Compatible types:
FUJIFILM X-S1, X-E1,
FinePix HS50EXR, HS30EXR, HS33EXR, HS25EXR, HS28EXR, HS20EXR, HS22EXR,
S205EXR, S200EXR, S100FS.

Fujifilm RR-90

This is the successor of the RR-80 with the smaller microUSB plug. This plug is commonly used for charging smartphones. You can use a miniUSB-female to microUSB-male adapter to connect the older RR-80. Most probably the circuitry shown above will also work with a microUSB plug instead of the miniUSB. Compatible types:
FUJIFILM X-T1, X-T10, X-T20, X-E2, X-M1, X-A2, X-A1, X100T, X30, XQ2, XQ1, FinePix S1

Hasselblad

Hasselblad uses the same 2.5mm stereo jack connector as Pentax and the smaller Canons. It fits the H, H1 H1D, H2, H2D, H3D.

Nikon

With three different types, Nikon is the unbeaten leader in inventing remote release connectors.

MC-DC1

This type fits the D70s (not D70!) and D80.

MC-DC2

This type fits the D90, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D7000, D7100, D7200, D600, D610, D750 and DF. It was introduced to connect the GPS-receiver. The D90 was the first cam to appear with this new connector.

10-pin connector (MC-20, MC-22, MC-30, MC-36)

This is the connector found in the bigger Nikon cameras like D200, D300, D500, D700, D800, D800E, D810, D850, D3, D3x, D4, D5, etc. Several analog cameras like the F100 use this connector too. It is also used by the Fuij S3 and S5 Pro. Nikon offers a cable called MC-22. It's an adapter cable for the round 10 pin plug ending with three banana connectors for own circuitry.

No connection...

Unfortunately the models D40 (2006), D50 (2005), D60 (2008), D70 (without s) and D3000 don't have a cable release connector. IR or USB-tethering are the only control options here.

Olympus E-system

RM-UC1 connector

This is the plug found on the Olympus RM-UC1 remote release. According to the Olympus web site it fits the models:
E-P1, E-P2, E-P3, E-P5, E-PM1, E-PL2, E-PL3,
E-30, the E-400 series, E-510, E-520, E620,
OM-D E-M1, E-M5, EM10, etc.

It's also compatible with the compact cameras:
XZ-1, SZ-20, SZ-30 MR, SP-565, SP-570 and SP-590.

RM-CB2 2.5mm jack connector

With the OM-D E-M1 Mark 2 Olympus is switching to the simple 2.5 mm jack connector also used by Canon or Pentax (Thanks for the info Eric!). The corresponding remote control is called RM-CB2.

RM-CB1 connector

The plug shown above can be found on the older Olympus RM-CB1 remote release. Compatible camera models are E-1, E-3, E-300 (via battery holder), E-10 and E-20.

Panasonic/Lumix

Panasonic/Lumix goes an unusual way and uses just one wire to control the focus and the shutter. As shown in the picture above, only the shaft and the first ring are used. Resistors are used to choose the function.
This connector can be found in the DMW-RS1 and DMW-RSL1 remote control from Panasonic and is compatible with the following camera models:
G1, G2, G3, G5, G6, G7, G10,
GF1,
GH1, GH2, GH3, GH4,
GX1, GX7, GX8,
FZ25, FZ30, FZ50, FZ100, FZ150, FZ200, FZ1000, etc.

My experiments showed that the more common resistor values of 33k, 3k3 and 2k2 also work. A possible wiring of the cable is shown here. Note that the grounds of the plugs are not directly connected.
If you are building the cable yourself, I recommend to recycle the 2.5mm side from a ready made cable to avoid buying and soldering the 2.5mm 4 pole plug.
Some of the Lumix cameras (e.g. G3, G6, FZ1000) have the remote plug on the right side. This is not typical and a longer cable will be needed.

Pentax

Pentax are the good guys and use the common 2.5-mm stereo jack plug. The pinout is the same as for Canon cameras (see above). These models can be connected using the jack plug: 645Z, 645D, K-1, K-3, K-5, K-5II, K-5IIs, K-7, K-50, K-500, K-30, K20D, K-m, K10D, K100D and K110D. Unfortunately the K-r and the K-x have no remote control socket. These models can be released per IR only. Pentax standard wired remote shutter release is called CS-205.

Sigma (SD-14, SD-15)

The plug is the same like Canon, but the shutter and focus pinout is swapped. Thanks to sigma_fan for providing the info!

Sony

Sony has currently two types of connectors.

Old Minolta Connector

In the bigger models Sony uses the old Minolta connector shown below. The A77ii proved also to work with this cable.

Multi Terminal

The newer and more compact camera models use a connector similar to a micro-USB port but equipped with an additional row of contacts for extended functionality. In the image below you can see the front row and the standard USB contacts with a larger pitch in the background. The plug is about 3 mm longer than the standard micro-USB. Sony uses the same trick for their Multi interface shoe to make their own equipment and older flashes compatible.
This plug can be found in the Sony RM-VPR1 remote. It fits the models:
RX10, RX100ii, RX100iii, RX100iv,
ILCE 3000,
DSC-QX30,
DSC-HX400V,
A7, A7ii,
A5000, A6000,
SLT-A65, SLT58, etc
In the plug I analysed the ground was on the metal housing. Other sources specify the second pin as ground. The other pins have other functions like zooming, but need a special protocol.

No Connection

Several Sony models do not have a remote connector and can be controlled only with a wireless remote.

Disclaimer

No guarantee for nothing. Please be careful when experimenting with your camera.

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