Sony Enhances External Monitor Features of Xperia Pro and Pro-I

Sony has announced a new software update that enables enhanced external monitor capabilities for the Xperia Pro and Pro-I smartphones including live streaming, waveform, and false color capabilities.

A feature of both the Xperia Pro and the Xperia Pro-I made either smartphone function not only as a capture device on its own, but as an external monitor when connected to a Sony Alpha camera as well. Sony markets the two smartphones as able to be used as a 4K viewfinder with multiple features like function checks, luminance, and RGB balance.

“By showing luminance level distribution, this feature helps you find the ideal exposure for your shot. It also lets you view each RGB channel so you can check you’ve got the correct balance,” Sony says in its marketing materials for the Xperia Pro-I.

Starting today, that set of features is getting further enhanced. Sony has enabled both smartphones with new live streaming, waveform, and false color capabilities. The Wave Form monitor function checks exposure and RGB balance. The False Color function assists with iris setting selections by making certain details for exposure more noticeable.

This update also allows those who connect it with a Sony Alpha camera to live stream through the External Monitor feature on the Xperia Pro or Xperia Pro-I with select live stream services, such as YouTube.

The External Monitor software update will also enable the Xperia Pro with extra control features for “select” Alpha cameras. The External Monitor feature of the phone now has a trigger function for recording and stopping which is available when it is connected via a USB-C cable. Sony says it will also be able to provide status visibility on screen including recording status, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and exposure value.

These updates add to what were already very good smartphones. While the Xperia Pro is expensive, PetaPixel found it to be great for a niche set of users. This update makes that even more the case. The Xperia Pro-I is a similar story, and while it’s not going to be the best option for everyone, it’s still one of the best phone cameras on the market.

The software update for both the Xperia Pro and Pro-I smartphones is available for free starting today via a push notification.