Canon EOS 7D Firmware Version 2 Coming Soon

[candyman]

I am very happy with this firmware update as well
I welcome the AUTO ISO MAXIMUM SETTING and IMPROVED RAW MAXIMUM BURST
And, SUPPORT FOR THE GP-E2 GPS UNIT is a great addition as well
Well done Canon!

 

[bloodstupid]

If they add better AutoISO in the 7D maybe there is hope they will improve it in the 5D III too...

 

[traveller]

"IMPROVED RAW MAXIMUM BURST In the EOS 7D the maximum burst of RAW file frames was 15 – with the firmware update this will be significantly increased so that the camera’s buffer will handle up to 26 RAW frames in a continuous burst."

That's quite an improvement, how are they managing to improve this without increasing the amount of RAM in the buffer? Is it more efficient data transfer protocols, or have they found a way to utilise the improved transfer speeds of the latest generation of CF cards?

 

[Tymo93]

I want a grip with a joystick for the 7D!!!

 

[unfocused]

I see this as very good news for the future of a 7DII. I seriously doubt Canon would be upgrading the 7D firmware and referring to it as its "flagship APS-C sensor" camera if they were planning to kill it off in a few months.

It also shows a commitment to their flagship model customers that, frankly, I appreciate. Yes, it makes good business sense for them to do this, but as long as I benefit, I'm not complaining.

On the downside, I do wonder if this means no 7DII by Photokina. But, I wouldn't say that for certain. If they continue the tradition of passing down the flagship sensor to lower level models it seems like they'll have to upgrade the sensor soon. Should be an interesting next few months.

 

[msdarkroom]

"IMPROVED RAW MAXIMUM BURST In the EOS 7D the maximum burst of RAW file frames was 15 – with the firmware update this will be significantly increased so that the camera’s buffer will handle up to 26 RAW frames in a continuous burst."

That's quite an improvement, how are they managing to improve this without increasing the amount of RAM in the buffer? Is it more efficient data transfer protocols, or have they found a way to utilise the improved transfer speeds of the latest generation of CF cards?

+1

I don't understand how a jump from 15 to 26 can be done with a firmware update either. Good question.

 

[cycomachead]

Wow! This has been my one major complaint with Canon - that they limit firmware only to when it's shipped -aside from bug fixes.

I'd be really happy to see this because it adds two things I've wanted - Auto ISO limit, and file name changing. However, it also leaves off the other one feature I've really wanted: 5 and 7 shot auto bracketing would be excellent, which the 1D series (and now 5D3) have.

 

[lonelywhitelights]

Obviously means no 7DII coming soon.

SUPER happy with new firmware =D

Or it means that the 7DII is going to be way more expensive ($2500) and they are going to keep the 7D in the product line.

I don't think the 7D or the 5DII will disappear from the product line/ get discontinued any time soon.

 

[Britman]

I think the burst increase is, as has been said, a feature that being enabled. As for the firmware, it's one of the best, as in features, I've seen Canon release, it now makes me wonder what the 7D2 can gain. As for people thinking FF, the next 7 doesn't need it. All Canon need do is drop the price of the 5D2 so it's the same as the current 7D.

 

[DianeK]

AUTO ISO MAXIMUM SETTING Within the EOS 7D’s shooting menu photographers will have the ability to set a maximum ISO speed for ISO Auto, within the ISO range of 400-6400, so that you can minimise the amount of noise in your images.

It's as if my prayers have been answered...

Yes, this is the very one feature my 60D has that I was missing on my 7D - yeah. This also makes me happy I picked up a used 7D instead of waiting for a 7DII because I'm thinking this is going to happen later rather than sooner. Now if they gave the 60D a firmware update to give it AFMA, I'd be doubly happy.
Diane

 

[Kufat]

I don't understand how a jump from 15 to 26 can be done with a firmware update either. Good question.

A friend and I brainstormed a few possibilities:

• They had previously used the available RAM as a simple linear buffer, but changed their algorithm to use it as a circular buffer, allowing more images to be taken after the first was written to the card.
• There was already a circular buffer, but the write order was optimized.
• A redundant write verification step may have been disabled.
• A delay that only became evident when the camera was used with higher-speed cards than were available at launch may have been discovered and eliminated. (If you need a very fast card to get 26; otherwise, it's not this one.)
• Someone did something really boneheaded in the original coding and it slowed everything down.

 

[RLPhoto]

I cant believe I didnt even notice this on the CR website. I Already love my 7D and this is gonna make Even More Awesome. I always hated not having manual audio control and an increased burst rate makes this the best sports camera for the $$$$. I almost forgive you canon for the 5D3 but if you can do this with the 7D, you could surely do a wicked firmware update for the 5D3. (60fps at 1080P would be nice.)

 

[Arkarch]

Thank-you Canon. It makes my 7D and 5D Mark III all that much more a great pair.

I don't understand how a jump from 15 to 26 can be done with a firmware update either. Good question.

A friend and I brainstormed a few possibilities:

• They had previously used the available RAM as a simple linear buffer, but changed their algorithm to use it as a circular buffer, allowing more images to be taken after the first was written to the card.
• There was already a circular buffer, but the write order was optimized.
• A redundant write verification step may have been disabled.
• A delay that only became evident when the camera was used with higher-speed cards than were available at launch may have been discovered and eliminated. (If you need a very fast card to get 26; otherwise, it's not this one.)
• Someone did something really boneheaded in the original coding and it slowed everything down.

Good thoughts.

I have to believe they already use Circular Buffers, but they may not have been very good at it. This brings the other elements into play. At the time they may have prioritized other tasks thinking they had the time; or yes, it could have been crappy programming. The hack guys may have a better opinion of the quality of Canon's embedded programming. It could also be an improvement in their proprietary OS that gave them more time/space headroom.

[quote author=RLPhoto]
I almost forgive you canon for the 5D3 but if you can do this with the 7D, you could surely do a wicked firmware update for the 5D3. (60fps at 1080P would be nice.)
[/quote]

I have to believe this round is a derivative of the work done for the 5D Mark III. Sounds like the same team. But yes, hopefully they can get back to 5D3 upgrades; or maybe they'll be tasked with the high MP camera.

 

[lonelywhitelights]

So, what will a 7DII be like? Are these hints of a probable change towards FF or aps-h?

7DII would never be FF. wildlife & sports photographers would go crazy

 

[Kufat]

I have to believe they already use Circular Buffers, but they may not have been very good at it. This brings the other elements into play. At the time they may have prioritized other tasks thinking they had the time; or yes, it could have been crappy programming. The hack guys may have a better opinion of the quality of Canon's embedded programming. It could also be an improvement in their proprietary OS that gave them more time/space headroom.

The question on my mind is whether the technique they used here could be used to squeeze one or two more photos out of a RAW burst on the T2i/T3i/etc. Not that they'd bother backporting it even if it could...

 

[Arkarch]

So, what will a 7DII be like? Are these hints of a probable change towards FF or aps-h?

7DII would bever be FF. wildlife & sports photographers would go crazy

That 1.6X Extension for Free is too good to have available. I see the 7DII likely to benefit from the work on High MP sensors. Low Noise, higher FPS (maybe 12 as crop), great AF. With that, it maintains a great pairing with the FF's for those who need a backup or need the reach with the same lens bag.

 

[lonelywhitelights]

IMPROVED RAW MAXIMUM BURST

In the EOS 7D the maximum burst of RAW file frames was 15 – with the firmware update this will be significantly increased so that the camera’s buffer will handle up to 26 RAW frames in a continuous burst.

now... with my 600x/90mbs cards I can shoot 26 RAW frames continuously already so I don't really understand this...

 

[HowardLive]

They had me at manual volume control. ;D FINALLY!

 

[Bob Howland]

well, since they were at it, they could have gone the full mile ... and added EC in Manual mode with Auto ISO too.

I can't think of a reasonable explanation why they wouldn't include that and AEB capability in both the 5D3 and this new 7D firmware. It seems like such a nobrainer. I also want a shutter speed safety shift for when there is too much light (e.g., the sun comes out from behind the clouds) in "M" W/Auto ISO and the camera starts to overexpose. Using "A" with Auto ISO would almost do this except that, with my 5D3, the fastest "Min Shutter Speed" that can be set is 1/250. I want 1/1000, at least.

 

[DaveQ]

Thanks Canon! Some welcome additions! ;D

Obviously 7DII won't be coming for some time, but these are really worthwhile upgrades in the meantime.