Syrp Genie Micro review

This trendy remote for time-lapse sequences and camera control is useful but on the pricey side

Syrp Genie Micro
(Image: © DIgital Photographer)

Digital Camera World Verdict

There isn’t much to complain about with the Syrp Micro Genie, but the limited camera compatibility is disappointing. Build quality is high, and the app control is seamless. The device feels pricey for what it is, but it does exactly what it’s designed to do without a glitch, and that’s a top find in a busy photo accessory market.

Pros

  • +

    Simple app interface

  • +

    Small and compact sizing

  • +

    Pleasing design

Cons

  • -

    Expensive for a remote

  • -

    Limited camera compatibility

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When it’s possible to pick up a basic camera remote for under £15/$15, some might question the rationale behind investing in a pricey option like the Syrp Genie Micro. But to dismiss it as a simple triggering remote would be a misunderstanding of its intended use and variety of features. 

Syrp has built a solid reputation in recent years for its innovative camera motion-control equipment, like the amazing Genie programmable motion time-lapse controller. Its latest product – fittingly titled the Genie Micro – is Syrp’s smallest product to date: a universal smart camera remote for DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

Syrp Genie Micro: Unboxing

The device comes in a compact, cardboard box that’s sealed without using any plastic materials (Image credit: Future/Lauren Scott)

Starting with the unboxing, the Genie Micro arrives neatly packaged in a tiny, round cardboard box, which feels reassuringly eco‑friendly.

Although the device is called Micro, for some reason its diminutive size is still surprising – about the size of a Jaffa Cake, or 5cm-diameter, if that’s easier to visualise. Build-wise, there isn’t much to say. The device is made from smooth, black plastic, and a small leather tab on the front edge adds a stylish touch. 

In the product box you’ll find a USB-C to USB-A male adapter cable for connecting your camera to the Genie Micro, and a USB-C to USB-A male cable for charging the device. It also comes with a microfibre lens cloth, and a quick set-up guide to help you get started.

Syrp Genie Micro: Ease of use

You need to connect your camera to the Syrp Genie Micro using a USB cable – ideally the original one that came with your camera (Image credit: Future/Lauren Scott)

Mounting the Genie Micro onto the hotshoe is as straightforward as you’d think – it simply slides on, and then connects via a cable to the camera (Syrp recommends the original cable that came with your camera, if you have it). 

The device has integrated Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi connectivity that extends up to a range of 10 metres, and once you turn on the device with a quick tap to the power button, lights on the top indicate whether these connections are active. 

The device has an internal rechargeable Li-ion battery with a quoted battery life of seven hours, which should be enough to get you through the most rigorous of time-lapse sequences. We didn’t use it continually for this long, but it was still at half power after a day of intermittent testing.

Syrp Genie Micro: Features

The Genie Micro works with a free app, which can be used to control the device settings remotely from up to 10 meters (Image credit: Future/Lauren Scott)

Using the Syrp Genie Micro is very much a plug in and go affair, and once you’ve downloaded the Syrp app and installed the product (which takes around five minutes in total) you can use the Live Control mode to adjust exposure settings instantly.

The Syrp app interface is simple, intuitive and responsive, and there are several tutorials on there to help you with the device’s basic operations. Setting up a time-lapse is also straightforward, and you can choose from six pre-programmed options, or set up your own values for record time, interval and play time.

In the Syrp app there’s a range of default time-lapse options to choose from, such as stars and night traffic (Image credit: Future/Lauren Scott)

Syrp Genie Micro: Camera compatibility

The main disadvantage of the Micro Genie is that camera compatibility is currently limited. There’s a list of tested and working cameras here, and Syrp says that “if your camera is not listed it does not mean that it won’t work, however we cannot 100% verify it until we have tested that specific model.” Besides the steep-ish price, this is likely to be the biggest failing for would-be users.

Syrp Genie Micro: Verdict

The Genie Micro is a tiny disc, and it can be kept in a pocket or camera bag compartment when it isn’t needed (Image credit: Future/Lauren Scott)

Is the Syrp Genie Micro for you? Yes – if you want to control your camera remotely in diverse ways using a smartphone app, and more importantly, if you have a compatible camera. 

Syrp is working through testing as many models as possible, beginning with Nikon and Canon cameras, and the company says it will be adding Sony and other manufacturers soon.  

Overall the app interface is smooth and straightforward, with tutorials to help you out if you’re not sure what to do.

If the price doesn't put you off, then it's a well-made product that will make your life easier as a photographer or videographer.

Read more

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Lauren Scott
Managing Editor

Lauren is the Managing Editor of Digital Camera World, having previously served as Editor of Digital Photographer magazine, a practical-focused publication that inspires hobbyists and seasoned pros alike to take truly phenomenal shots and get the best results from their kit. 


An experienced photography journalist who has been covering the industry for over eight years, she has also served as technique editor for both PhotoPlus: The Canon MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine and DCW's sister publication, Digital Camera Magazine


In addition to techniques and tutorials that enable you to achieve great results from your cameras, lenses, tripods and other photography equipment, Lauren can regularly be found interviewing some of the biggest names in the industry, sharing tips and guides on subjects like landscape and wildlife photography, and raising awareness for subjects such as mental health and women in photography.