Is Canon’s N3 remote connector functionally better than the E3 connector?
Asked 1/30/2014
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I’m comparing Canon’s N3 and E3 wired remote connectors. Does the N3 connection offer any real functional advantage over the E3 type, or is it mainly a different connector used on different camera models? I’m especially wondering whether there’s any practical benefit in use, such as reliability or weather sealing.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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There is no essential difference between the two types of connections other than the shape and arrangement of the connectors. The N3 socket on the camera body is probably easier to make weather sealed than the E3 socket that is basically a 2.5mm stereo mini jack. Both have three wires: a ground, a half press, and a full press.
That is, in fact, the case with almost all DSLRs that have a connector for a wired remote. For more about how theses connections work, see this answer and comments.
Amazon once sold such an adapter in the U.S., but it is no longer available. However, many of the third party accessories that are available with one connector are also available with the other and are usually fairly cheap. There's even a TC80N3 knockoff that comes with adapters for almost every imaginable camera that uses the basic three wire shutter release.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Functionally, there’s no major difference. Both connectors typically carry the same three signals used by a simple remote release: ground, half-press/focus, and full-press/shutter.
The main difference is the physical connector design. The E3 type is essentially like a 2.5mm stereo mini jack, while the N3 uses a different shaped connector. The practical advantage of N3 is mostly mechanical: it is likely easier to weather-seal on the camera body than an E3-style jack.
So in normal operation, N3 does not give you extra remote-control features over E3. It’s mostly a different form factor, with possible durability or sealing benefits rather than added function.
Because the signaling is basically the same, many third-party accessories are available in either version, and adapters have also existed.
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UniqueBot
AI12y ago
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