Canon is getting ready to release the next firmware update for the Canon EOS R, there are some feature updates as well as bug fixes.
From Canon Asia:
The new firmware for EOS R (version 1.2.0) will be available on Canon website from the middle of April 2019.
Firmware version 1.2.0 incorporates the following enhancements and fixes.
Enhancements:
- Eye-detection AF
- Supports Servo AF when shooting still images.
- Now available when shooting movies regardless of “Movie Servo AF” setting.
- Small AF Frame Size
- Supports Servo AF when shooting still images.
- Now available when shooting movies regardless of “Movie Servo AF” setting.
Fixes:
- Under certain conditions, the electronic level displayed in the electronic viewfinder did not display properly.
- Under certain conditions information displayed in the electronic viewfinder was not properly rotated.
- Under certain conditions updating the firmware for the wireless file transmitter, WFT-E7 was not possible.
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Either way, I'm very happy to see this. Even the single shot small AF point size is a little big to my liking, and then when you switch over to AI servo, the AF point goes to the larger size, and this is just way too big for my taste.
That's a good question. I initially thought it was the spot AF as seen in the RP (and other higher-end DSLRs). But maybe you're right - maybe it's just the smaller AF that is found on non-servo. Crossing my fingers hoping that it's the former (RP's single point).
But like you said, I too am very happy to see this.
I really hope Canon will be able to further improve the face and eye detect autofocus system in the R’s with firmware updates as it is still sadly lacking performance compared to the Sony a7 cameras.
I was at the Photography show in Birmingham the other week and the auto focus face and eye detect on the Sony a7’s is so much more accurate and quicker than that of the EOS-R’s.
Also, some good news to report, I’m getting over 800 combined images and short movie clips on the EOS-R battery before it starts flashing red. I have a back up battery which is a non-Canon brand and that is ok as a backup and cheap enough but doesn’t last anywhere near as long as the Canon genuine battery. A little off topic I know but it’s nice to be able to report positive Canon news these days.
Happy shooting folks
While these features were promised already, I am not sure what else they will offer after firmware 1.2 besides fixes...
To look at the home computing market as a comparison, Apple have long been releasing OS updates which improve speed of operation, and even battery life. If the R could get an update that shaved half a second off the start-up time, that would be amazing (one can dream)
But I am getting used to just simply move that focusing point where I want, the less the camera needs to think instead of me, the better.
Link to announcement here.
The Eye AF still has a long way to go (at least the current iteration) before one can confidently rely on it under most shooting conditions (read One Shot)
With Servo AF, we hope it can latch onto the eye quickly, regardless of whether only one eye is detected or both eyes are.
I’ll be very happy if the firmware update addresses these issues.