A fundamental difference between the two is that the Nikon WU-1a is used with a DSLR while Canon CameraWindow is used with point & shoots. With both systems, you are able to transfer files straight from your camera to your smart device, such as smartphone or tablet. Then you can send them to friends and family or upload them to blogs and social networking sites. In order to run, Nikon requires you to download a free app from Google Play called the Wireless Mobile Adapter Utility app. Canon requires you to download a free Canon CameraWindow app from Apple. Currently, the Canon sharing system is compatible with the iPhone 4 and 4s, the iPad and iPad 2, and the iPod Touch 4 with Android capabilities scheduled for next month. The Nikon WU-1a will be compatible with smartphones running Android OS version 2.3 (Gingerbread) and tablets running Android OS version 3.x (Honeycomb) with additional support for iOS scheduled for release this fall.
Canon CameraWindow will support the transfer of both images and video with compatible file types being JPG and MOV. The maximum number of images that can be sent at one time is 50. The maximum length of video that can be sent at one time is 2 minutes. Files can be sent via Ad-hoc (directly camera to device) or by infrastructure mode (using a Wi-Fi access point). The Nikon WU-1a will support the transfer of images captured by the D3200 and images already saved to a memory card that is inserted into the D3200 via wireless connection. While you cannot transfer videos with the WU-1a, there is an added feature that allows your smart device to be used as a remote control for shooting photos with the D3200 (again, this does not apply to video). Your smart device will display a live view of what the camera is seeing through the lens as well as various shot settings. The setting information includes the camera’s battery indicator, whether or not an AC adapter is connected, number of exposures remaining, shutter speed, aperture setting, and focus points. This innovation opens up unique picture taking possibilities.