Rooting cameras !! like android phone !

Hacking Cameras - Not many Know this..

A camera, whether it's a point and shoot or a the DSLR, is able to take pictures thanks to the combination of the hardware and the software bundled into the system.

DSLR was this point and shoot :

To be  precise cameras are broadly divided into two categories first one is point-and-shoot cameras and second one is the DSLR cameras . The consumer grade point-and-shoot cameras are designed for beginners while the DSLR are cameras are for professionals.

What is meant by hacking a camera?

A camera is a tiny computer. The firmware of your camera is the camera how to run different functions on your camera. When we talk about hacking a camera we need the firmware enhancement and not the hardware enhancement. This is somewhat similar rooting an android phone or jail breaking an IOS device. Installing a custom firmware in your camera will improve its functionality; give the features which the stock firmware that came with your camera would not provide.

How to Hack a camera

Step one: Installing CHDK

CHDK is a nondestructive and a temporary firmware upgrade, so you can always remove it it leaves your stock firmware untouched. It simply installs in your memory card and so when you format a memory card to camera is back to normal. Furthermore it does not void your camera's warranty.
So first log on to : http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#Q._What_camera_models_are_supported_by_the_CHDK_program.3F

to get a list of supported camera models and firmware versions that are currently supported by CHDK.

Step two:

Download the correct build for your camera from : http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Downloads

Installing it involves copying the required CHDK program files to your camera's memory card. It gets loaded into your camera's memory upon bootup (either manually or automatically). For loading it manually every

time you turn on your camera, use the firmware update method when you use the camera's built-in firmware update menu item to loaded CHDK . If you wanted to load automatically when you turn on your camera use the beatable as departmental. Follow the instructions in the following link and then lock your part by sliding the lock switch on its side you will see CHDK logo flash on the screen when you turn on the camera.

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Bootable_SD_card


Uninstalling CHDK from the file system requires you to delete those files from your memory card. Since CHDK is loaded into the RAM, no permanent changes are made to your file system.

New features CHDK brings to your camera:

With the support of many developers CHDK is continuously growing and working towards improvising it features four different camera models. some of the enhancements that it brings to your simple cameras are:

RAW - CHDK can record raw files, giving you access to every bit of data the sensor saw, without compression or processing. Raw files can be manipulated on the camera, or processed on your PC. CHDK also has experimental support for the open DNG raw standard.


Override Camera parameters - Exposures from 2048s to 1/60,000s with flash sync. Full manual or priority control over exposure, aperture, ISO and focus.

Bracketing - Bracketing is supported for exposure, aperture, ISO, and even focus.

Video Overrides - Control the quality or bitrate of video, or change it on the fly. Extended video clip length - 1 hour or 2GB.

Scripting - Control CHDK and camera features using ubasic and Lua scripts. Enables time lapse, motion detection, advanced bracketing, and much more. Many user-written scripts are available on the forum and wiki.

Motion detection - Trigger exposure in response to motion, fast enough to catch lightning.

Edge overlay - Detect the edges in a scene, and display them later. Ideal for timelapses, stop-motion, stereography and much more.

Live Histogram - CHDK includes a customizable, live histogram display, like those typically found on more expensive cameras. (RGB, blended, luminance and for each RGB channel)

Zebra-Mode - Displays under and overexposure areas live on the screen.
GRIDS - Create custom grids and display whichever one suits your shooting conditions.

And many more....

Will it wreck your camera.

It does not write to the ROM so it's fairly safe ,but no warranty or guarantee is taken. No bricking has been reported yet .the software goes through beta testing before it reaches you, and by that time it has been used by thousands of users. So, the chances of wrecking your camera are low.