Canon W-E1 Wifi Adaptor Confirmed

[Canon Rumors]

<a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/canon-eos-7d-mark-ii-related-announcements-coming-for-photokina/">We reported last week</a> that the EOS 7D Mark II would see a wifi adaptor that would be a lot cheaper than the WFT-E7A, and it appears that adaptor will be the W-E1.</p>
<p>Specifications for the W-E1</p>
<ul>
<li>Size: 24.0Mm x 32.0Mm x 2.1Mm</li>
<li>Weight: about 2g</li>
<li>Transmission scheme: IEEE 802.11B / G / N</li>
<li>Transfer range: 10m/33ft</li>
<li>Allows the camera to be remote controlled from a smartphone</li>
<li>Wireless remote operation possible using EOS Utility</li>
</ul>
<p>You an see a page from the manual after the break.</p>
<p><!--more--></p>
<p><a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/canon_W-E1_001-1.png"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-26280" src="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/canon_W-E1_001-1-231x575.png" alt="canon_W-E1_001-1" width="231" height="575" srcset="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/canon_W-E1_001-1-231x575.png 231w, http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/canon_W-E1_001-1-411x1024.png 411w, http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/canon_W-E1_001-1.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px" /></a></p>
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[Bennymiata]

I wonder if it will also work with other, Canon, cameras?

 

[Chaitanya]

I wonder if it will also work with other, Canon, cameras?

dont hold your breath, its Canon they will be gimping this product. Also wondering the "cheaper" mean on what features will it be gimped.

 

[Meatcurry]

I wonder if it will also work with other, Canon, cameras?

dont hold your breath, its Canon they will be gimping this product. Also wondering the "cheaper" mean on what features will it be gimped.

My guess is that it will work on any Canon with an SD slot, but maybe only certain models will allow remote control whilst others will just have image transfer, I guess the SD contacts would have to be designed to allow remote control of the system from the card. That may rule out older models from being fully compatible. Also I guess there's a chance it doesn't even have storage built in, and can only be used on dual card cameras.

 

[AvTvM]

My guess is that it will work on any Canon with an SD slot, but maybe only certain models will allow remote control whilst others will just have image transfer, I guess the SD contacts would have to be designed to allow remote control of the system from the card. That may rule out older models from being fully compatible. Also I guess there's a chance it doesn't even have storage built in, and can only be used on dual card cameras.

I expect pretty much the same. Probably even image transfer function only for jpgs, not for RAW images.

 

[midluk]

Wasn't the argument against Wi-Fi in the higher end bodies that it doesn't properly work with all the metal around?
And now they tell us it will just work when you place the adapter into a random place without any effort on antenna placement. Then why haven't they put Wi-Fi into the camera in the first place?

Is there any confirmation that this really is for the 7DII?

 

[Chaitanya]

Wasn't the argument against Wi-Fi in the higher end bodies that it doesn't properly work with all the metal around?
And now they tell us it will just work when you place the adapter into a random place without any effort on antenna placement. Then why haven't they put Wi-Fi into the camera in the first place?

Is there any confirmation that this really is for the 7DII?

Metal chassis of high end cameras do block Wifi and other radio signals, still the memory card door is made of plastic and is void of metal parts around that area. Thats why eye-fi and other wireless SD cards worked in any camera bodies. Also with special placement of wireless antennas its possible to get wifi and gps working in highend cameras. Samsung had implemented Wifi in their Nx1 even when it was a full mag alloy chassis for body.

I wonder if it will also work with other, Canon, cameras?

dont hold your breath, its Canon they will be gimping this product. Also wondering the "cheaper" mean on what features will it be gimped.

My guess is that it will work on any Canon with an SD slot, but maybe only certain models will allow remote control whilst others will just have image transfer, I guess the SD contacts would have to be designed to allow remote control of the system from the card. That may rule out older models from being fully compatible. Also I guess there's a chance it doesn't even have storage built in, and can only be used on dual card cameras.

If that's the case then its a bad trade-off, having dual card slots is a big advantage in field and losing one memory card slot just for added wireless functionality is not worth it. Also I would much rather like to see video controls via wifi like Canon recently implemented in 80D. But since its Canon and not Fuji, I dont expect them to add new functionality in old cameras even if its a paid extra like additional wireless adaptor.

 

[LDS]

My guess is that it will work on any Canon with an SD slot.

It has the dimensions of a SD card, and probably cameras designed with built-in EyeFi support may work with it, unless Canon used something different enough to require a specific firmware also. But I wouldn't be surprised if these are made by EyeFi for Canon.

Some local storage may be needed for buffering anyway. A 10m range is not so great...

 

[AvTvM]

"metal blocking WiFi" always was a 100% bullS___ excuse. Canon could abnd should have built fully working WiFi including remote control functionality, intervalometer and RAW-file transfer into all their cameras ... at least into generation since 5D3, 7D2. Just ridiculous.

They could have put an antenna around the bezel of back LCD in all these cameras, with the WiFi module itself modular -> small external WiFi-transponder similar in style but better in functionality than Nikon WiFi thingie WU-1A @ USD 59,95 ... http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/wireless/wu-1a-wireless-mobile-adapter.html
It plugs into rarely used wired remote control jack, not blocking an SD-slot or flash hotshoe.

That way Canon could also have avoided the often quoted excuse of different WiFi legislation in different countries, bla bla bla!

As so often: STUPID Canon. :

 

[squarebox]

Weight: 2g!

That seems like it will just be a wire.

 

[Otara]

Seems an odd thing to do as a separate feature. Was it really that urgent to do it now instead of putting it into the next model?

 

[leWrat]

Weight: 2g!

That seems like it will just be a wire.

It's a typo, it should say 2kg!
i.e. Lots of wire ;D

 

[AvTvM]

Seems an odd thing to do as a separate feature. Was it really that urgent to do it now instead of putting it into the next model?

modular approach is best for WiFi stuff given country-specific regulations and limitations everywhere. Also if WiFi transponder is removable, one can make sure it thing does not such power in some form of standby-mode.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

The grip based wifi unit has some serious range. I used the one for the 7D for some professional events I was contracted for. It's really very good, but it's eye wateringly expensive and is complicated to connect to a laptop. It needs a Canon camera battery to power...but doesn't come with one in box, which is really disappointing. It requires 3rd party ftp software and dedicated ipaddress and wifi hot spot. But it can pass over to the ftp software everything that the camera shoots. The eye-fi cards are very convenient and have their own bundled software which is one of the weak points. It's got a very limited range in comparison and suffers from regular drop outs.

After a using both systems at events, it's a lot simpler to shoot on two cards and rotate them out to the laptop every 15 mins or so.

 

[eosuser1234]

size dimensions and weight is the exact same for an SD card. So maybe Canon will start to produce SD cards.

In Japan, Toshiba Flash Air is ready available and cheap, but does not offer movie downloads.
Lets just keep fingers crossed for 7Dm2 to be able to record 4k with firmware update.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

Estimate of demand to actually use among the people who gripe and moan over added features is 100:3.

What a bunch of vinegary ingrates, just going by the tone of the geniuses who bash and second guess.

Sorry, just woke up, saw a nice feature soon to be available at a cheaper price, and a bunch of really sour posts following. Give me some coffee.

Well...Mr Sour grapes in the morning...I have used both systems in a professional capacity and yes I stumped up the cash for them both and compared both systems. What you are reading is a general dissatisfaction for camera based wi-fi devices in general. They both suck...ok. The grip based version is a lot better...but also a LOT more expensive. Both are let down by wireless network infrastructure tecnology...neither of these systems are "plug and go". Both need a lot of configuring on the laptop and the wifi card / grip. Both systems need 3rd party software to work...so don't think that you can rock up to a venue with this kit in an unopened box...it won't work unless you do a few dry runs first. I used an eye-fi card (with a CF adapter) on a 5DII and a WFT-E5 on a 7D. The WFT-E5 needs a LP-E6 battery to function (the camera still needs it's battery too) and doesn't have one in the box...neither does the blurb tell you this when you buy it. Thankfully, I have several spares. But that's an additional £50 spend.
The eye-fi's range is very over stated and the WFT-E5 is very understated. The eye-fi's range is line of sight from the side of the camera door. It's a lot less from the other side of the camera and things like walls really reduce that signal. The WFT-E5's signal punches through any wall...but that's the difference between a £50 product and a £500 product. Both systems assume that you have your own private wi-fi router to connect to. If you just have a laptop, things get quite complicated. In the manual for the eye-fi card, it clearly stated that the limitations of range and functions were due to various camera models and their card slots. I've not tried one on a 5DIII. The eye-fi card felt like a toy in comparison, and wasn't reliable in a professional capacity. Maybe that's changed with this new card.

This isn't sour grapes...it's an honest evaluation on my experiences and disappointments with two similar items of technology.
To quote the late Douglas Adams: "Science is what we hope for...technology is what we get stuck with". Some one answered him..."So...what's Technology then?"...to which Douglas replied "Does it need a manual?" and walked away.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

size dimensions and weight is the exact same for an SD card. So maybe Canon will start to produce SD cards.

In Japan, Toshiba Flash Air is ready available and cheap, but does not offer movie downloads.
Lets just keep fingers crossed for 7Dm2 to be able to record 4k with firmware update.

I think more likely is a collaboration with eye-fi. I guessing Canon have asked eye-fi to make the device and Canon have integrated some of the functionality to the camera firmware needed to make the two work better. I'm guessing that it'll only work on newer models with this new firmware integration, starting with the 7DII and probably the 5D4.

 

[Loswr]

But since its Canon and not Fuji, I dont expect them to add new functionality in old cameras...

Right. Because they didn't add features to the 5DII (manual audio gain, etc.). They didn't add features to the 7D (a 66% increase in RAW buffer depth, Auto ISO limits, etc.). They didn't add features to the 5DIII (uncompressed HDMI out, f/8 AF, etc.). They didn't add features to the 1D X (f/8 AF, EC in M mode). So if you wouldn't expect Canon to add new functionality in old cameras, it's because either your memory or your knowledge of facts – or both – is badly flawed.

What a bunch of vinegary ingrates, just going by the tone of the geniuses who bash and second guess.

Sorry, just woke up, saw a nice feature soon to be available at a cheaper price, and a bunch of really sour posts following. Give me some coffee.

Just don't let anyone piss in your Wheaties. It seems to have happened to some here, and it didn't end well.

 

[ewg963]

"metal blocking WiFi" always was a 100% bullS___ excuse. Canon could abnd should have built fully working WiFi including remote control functionality, intervalometer and RAW-file transfer into all their cameras ... at least into generation since 5D3, 7D2. Just ridiculous.

They could have put an antenna around the bezel of back LCD in all these cameras, with the WiFi module itself modular -> small external WiFi-transponder similar in style but better in functionality than Nikon WiFi thingie WU-1A @ USD 59,95 ... http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/wireless/wu-1a-wireless-mobile-adapter.html
It plugs into rarely used wired remote control jack, not blocking an SD-slot or flash hotshoe.

That way Canon could also have avoided the often quoted excuse of different WiFi legislation in different countries, bla bla bla!

As so often: STUPID Canon. :

+100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 8) 8) 8)

 

[Lee Jay]

The English unit dimensions are kind of, ummm, interesting.

0.94 x 41.26 x 0.08 in.

I think it was supposed to say:

0.94 x 1.26 x 0.08 in.