Big changes are on the way, and Canon users are waiting on what might be a major firmware update for the new Canon EOS R5 Mark II.
For those that have missed some of the current issues with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, I’ll also share my own experience testing the EOS R5 Mark II on firmware version 1.0.3 — including some strange autofocus issues and how I worked around them.
Canon’s Upcoming Firmware Update for the EOS R5 Mark II
Back in January, we expected to see a major firmware update coming to the R5 II that would add significant updates.
If you remember the original EOS R5, we saw big upgrades come through firmware like Canon Log 3, better autofocus, and improved heat management. So it’s reasonable to hope for big things here too.
Major Firmware Specs (Rumoured):
- 4K 60p Fine Recording
This is a long-standing request. The R5 II already shoots 8K60, so 4K60 downsampled from that sensor seems doable. Even if it comes with heat warnings, many of us would like the option. - Opengate Recording
Opengate means using the full sensor — great for video shooters. It’s not confirmed yet, but it’s possible. - APS-C 17:9 Mode at 120fps in RAW
This would let you record high-quality, cinematic slow motion in RAW using a cropped part of the sensor. That’s a big deal for filmmakers and color graders.
Why not give us full frame 120fps RAW?
Heat.
That would be a data firestorm, possibly cooking the camera, choking your CFexpress cards, and stressing your editing system. So, APS-C 120fps RAW sounds like a smart middle ground.
ICYMI: Canon EOS R5 Mark II Autofocus Woes on Firmware 1.0.3
Now let’s get into my own experience. I updated my Canon EOS R5 Mark II to firmware 1.0.3 back in March. Right after, I noticed some strange behaviour with autofocus. Sometimes it was fast and snappy, other times… totally unresponsive.
Here’s what happened:
- Sometimes the autofocus locked up, refusing to refocus.
- I’d half-press or even fully press the shutter and nothing.
- Sometimes it took over a minute before the autofocus woke up.
- Even worse: AF tracking would appear to work perfectly, but when I got home, the footage was out of focus.
I was using the Canon RF 100–500mm (firmware 1.1.0) and testing in bright, sunny weather. Temperatures were around 8–13°C (46–55°F). Oddly, when I turned off power saving, the problem disappeared.
If the camera went to sleep and I woke it up, the AF would misbehave. Sound familiar? It’s like waking a grumpy teenager — confused, slow, and not very helpful.
I’ve tried reproducing this issue under controlled conditions, and it’s inconsistent. Some days, no problems at all. Other days, autofocus just wouldn’t cooperate.
Could it be temperature related? Maybe. Battery issues are also widespread. Canon support confirmed those are their number one complaint. Autofocus issues seem less commonly reported… but that could change if more people speak up.
- 45MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS
- DIGIC Accelerator Processing
- Dual Pixel Intelligent AF, Eye Control
- 8K 60 Raw/4K 60 SRAW/4K 120 10-Bit
- Up to 30 fps, Pre-Continuous Shoot
- 5.76m-Dot EVF with OVF Sim
- 3.2" Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
- In-Camera Upscaling to 179MP
- CFexpress & SD UHS-II
My Workarounds (and What You Can Do)
Until Canon delivers a fix, here’s what worked for me:
- Turn off power save
Letting the camera go idle causes problems. - Flip the AF/MF switch
Sometimes toggling from AF to MF and back kicks the autofocus back into gear. - Hard reset
Turning the camera off and on again, or even removing the battery, helped.
I’ve sent my findings to Canon, and they’ve asked for more details. Field data like this helps them track issues that might not show up in their labs.
What can you do?
If you’re having problems, call Canon and report it. Even if you get a scripted answer or repeated steps, your report is logged. The more reports, the higher the priority the issue gets. It’s the best way to help Canon fix this sooner.
Final Thoughts
Firmware updates matter. They can fix bugs, unlock features, and extend the life of our camera. Nikon just showed they’re still supporting older models. Canon is preparing to deliver big new capabilities to the R5 Mark II, but first, they need to fix some bugs.
If you’re having issues with autofocus or batteries, don’t wait for someone else to report it. Help the community by reporting the issue to Canon. And if you’re testing too, let us know your experience in the comments.
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I've been sitting on my hands in the last couple of months hoping for 8K oversampled 4K60p (4K60p FINE) recording to be included via a firmware update before making the purchase.
I rented the Nikon Z8 a couple of times and really liked the incredibly detailed 8.3K oversampled 4K60p. Hopefully, Canon matches this with this update.
It does 3K.
Maybe 2K SRAW
I couldn't care less since I don't use either of them.
(As long as there are no concrete news about battery and AF issues...)
But beyond that I would love to be able to continue using the EVF and/or rear screen (although this not so much) while recording to an external monitor.
I want to be able to send what I'm photographing to an external monitor to record it.
Basically no disabling of the EVF (or LCD) shooting to an external monitor.
Shouldn't be an issue. Nikon have it.
I couldn't care less.
(As long as there are no news about battery and AF issues...)
I want to learn video and was thinking about getting a gimbal. The main one that keeps popping up is the "DJI RS 4 Pro Combo". Does anyone know of this gimbal or others that work great? Maybe in the range of $1-$1.5k. If there's better ones that cost more, I'd be happy to hear about those.
Also, any recommendations on the monitor that attaches to the hot shoe would be great. I'm honestly not even sure if the screen needs to attach to the hot shoe or on some type of rig. I know VERY little about shooting video but those things seem like they may be necessary. Obviously I could be wrong. I'm not sure about constant lights. Unless I'm doing interviews of some sort.
Video seems a bit overwhelming, there seems to be so many different settings. I think I'd enjoy learning it though.
Thanks in advance for any help and advise on how to start out with video! (P.S - I may be just starting out but I'd be willing to put money into higher-end gear. I rather not buy cheaper stuff (unless it's great) and regret/out grow it quickly.)☺️