Firmware for the Canon EOS R5 coming "soon", addressing the overheating issue and adding more video functions (report)
(Image credit: James Artaius / Digital Camera World)
The first firmware update for the Canon EOS R5 is already being worked on, with reports that it will provide "increased record time limits" in addition to adding some additional high end video functions.
By now everybody is aware of a) how brilliant the Canon EOS R5 is, and b) that it is also prone to overheating when shooting anything above 4K 30p internally – which necessitated recording limits on the camera to prevent it getting too hot and damaging itself (or, indeed, the user).
It should come as no surprise that Canon is already hard at work on addressing the issue, both in terms of hardware and software solutions. The manufacturer has already designed an RF mount adapter that would vent some of the excess buildup, and of course its R&D teams have been beavering away on a firmware fix that would alleviate the issue as well.
According to a report by Canon Rumors, the first firmware update is coming "soon" – and in addition to upping the limit of recording times, is also set to introduce some extra functions for shooting video.
"I have been told that we will see an update 'soon', no date was given," wrote the website. "As with most firmware updates, it’ll be released when it’s done. The source claims the following will be added to the Canon EOS R5, but cautions it may not come all at once in a single firmware update.
• Addition of Cinema RAW light option to 8K recording
• Addition of CLog 3
• Increased record time limits (but don’t expect a huge boost)
• Various bug fixes
These additions may not be all that is coming, but the source claims these features are what’s coming first."
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Currently, the R5's recording limits are as follows:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Movie recording size / format
Max recording at 23°C (73.4F)
8K RAW 30p
20 minutes
8K 30p
20 minutes
4K 120p
15 minutes
4K 60p (uncropped)
35 minutes (29m59s + second 5m video)
4K 60p (cropped) 5.1K oversampling
25 minutes
4K 30p high quality 8.2K oversampling
30 minutes
4K 30p
Not limited by heat
Once those recording limits have been reached, the camera needs to be turned off for at least 10 minutes to resume video recording above 4K 30p (again, regular 4K 30p has no recording limits).
Whether the new firmware will increase the base recording limits, or simply speed up the 'cooldown period' between them isn't known, but either would be a valuable and much-needed amendment to the EOS R5's video functionality. More info as we receive it…
James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes.
