PDMOVIE has teased the SMART FUSION, a native Sony E-mount smart adapter that joins the LIVE AIR 4 SMART ecosystem and offers something neither Tilta nor Viltrox currently provide: the ability to switch between the camera’s own phase-detection autofocus system and PDMOVIE’s high-speed LiDAR hybrid autofocus with a single button press. The adapter is compatible with mainstream Sony Alpha and FX series cameras, works with manual E-mount lenses and E-to-PL adapter solutions, and will retail for $199 with a pre-order price of $169.
The market for smart lens adapters that bring autofocus to manual cinema lenses has become increasingly competitive over the past few months. Tilta recently launched its Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter, while Viltrox’s NexusFocus F1 hit Kickstarter earlier this year. Both of those solutions rely exclusively on the camera’s phase-detection AF data to drive external motors on PL-mount lenses. PDMOVIE’s SMART FUSION takes a fundamentally different approach by combining native camera AF with the company’s own LiDAR ranging technology, all within a native E-mount adapter rather than a PL-to-E-mount solution.
How the SMART FUSION works
The SMART FUSION sits between the camera body and an E-mount manual lens (or an E-to-PL adapter), using a native E-mount architecture. It directly drives the LIVE AIR 4 SMART motor using the camera sensor’s native phase-detection data, giving users access to Sony’s full suite of autofocus features, including Real-time Recognition, Real-time Eye AF, and Touch Tracking. Communication between the adapter and the LIVE AIR 4 SMART motor happens wirelessly, so no cables are needed between the two components.
What makes this approach particularly interesting is the one-button switching between three distinct focus control modes: native camera autofocus, LiDAR autofocus from the LIVE AIR 4 SMART motor, and traditional manual focus control. This hybrid capability means operators can choose the best tool for each situation rather than being locked into a single AF methodology.
One of the image graphics PDMOVIE shared on Facebook and other channels. Image credit: PDMOVIEWhy offer both camera AF and LiDAR?
Each autofocus approach has its strengths and limitations. Camera-based phase-detection AF excels at subject recognition, tracking, and works brilliantly in well-lit, straightforward shooting scenarios. LiDAR, on the other hand, measures actual physical distance independent of the image, which can be advantageous in specific situations: extreme low light where the camera’s AF sensor struggles, when shooting through optical elements like 2x anamorphic adapters that can confuse phase-detection systems, or when working with lenses that don’t communicate electronically with the camera body.
By combining both systems in a single ecosystem, PDMOVIE is positioning the SMART FUSION as a versatile solution that covers a wider range of production scenarios than either approach alone. The LIVE AIR 4 SMART motor already features an advanced hybrid zoom LiDAR system with point, line, and plane scanning modes capable of autofocusing at distances up to 50 meters indoors, so pairing that with native Sony AF creates a genuinely comprehensive focus control package.
Compatibility and connectivity
The SMART FUSION supports both wireless and wired communication and is designed for compatibility with mainstream Sony Alpha and FX series cameras. PDMOVIE states that it works with E-mount manual lenses as well as E-to-PL adapter solutions, which opens the door to using PL-mount cinema glass with the hybrid AF system. The adapter also includes a USB-C expansion port, which the company says will unlock additional functionality in the future, though no specifics have been shared yet.
We’ll see how the new PDMOVIE adapter compares to the Viltrox and Tilta solutions that are currently entering the market as well. Image credit: PDMOVIEA different approach to the competition
It is worth placing the SMART FUSION in context alongside what Tilta and Viltrox are doing. The Tilta Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter is a PL-to-E-mount adapter priced around $300 that relies entirely on camera PDAF data and feeds it to Nucleus-M II or Nucleus Nano II motors. The Viltrox NexusFocus F1 takes a similar PDAF-only approach with its own FIZ motors, starting at $699 for the dual-motor Kickstarter kit. Both are PL-to-Sony-E-mount solutions.
PDMOVIE’s SMART FUSION is a native E-mount adapter instead, and its headline differentiator is the dual AF methodology. At $199 retail (or $169 pre-order), the adapter itself is competitively priced, though it requires the LIVE AIR 4 SMART motor system to function, which is a separate investment. For users already in the PDMOVIE ecosystem, however, the entry cost is particularly appealing: existing LIVE AIR 4 SMART owners receive an additional $30 discount, bringing the price down to just $139.
Pricing and availability
The PDMOVIE SMART FUSION will have a regular retail price of $199. Pre-orders will be available at $169, and existing LIVE AIR 4 SMART users qualify for a special price of $139. Pre-order availability and additional technical details are expected to be announced soon. For more information, visit PDMOVIE’s website.
The smart adapter space for manual cinema lenses is heating up quickly, and PDMOVIE’s hybrid approach of combining camera-native AF with LiDAR is a genuinely unique proposition. Could the ability to switch between two distinct autofocus systems give the SMART FUSION an edge over the competition? And would you prefer a native E-mount adapter or a PL-to-E solution for your workflow? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!