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Canon Firmware Upgrades for the EOS-1D X and EOS-1D C Digital SLR Cameras Deliver Improved Creative Control and Convenience Firmware Version 2 for the EOS-1D X is Based on Extensive User Input
and Provides More Efficient Autofocus Performance in Low Light, Custom
Controls, and Improved User-Programmed Functionality
MELVILLE, N.Y., October 22, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging
solutions, announces improvements in the functionality and convenient
operation of the EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera and the EOS-1D C Digital
SLR Cinema camera through new firmware scheduled to be available
starting in January 2014 and November 2013, respectively. Firmware
enhancements for the EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera are designed to provide
photographers with greater creative freedom and speed, especially in
sectors such as sports, wedding, nature/wildlife, and journalism, which
often contain rapidly changing action, sometimes in low-light
environments. Service enhancements for the EOS-1D C Digital SLR Cinema
camera improve lens performance, lens status display, metadata storage,
and audio recording.
“Canon constantly strives to provide our
customers with advanced and innovative technology in our products,”
noted Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager,
Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “We
understand the daily life of photographers, we listen closely to what
they have to say, and we use their feedback in our constant efforts to
improve existing products and develop new ones. The latest Canon
firmware for the flagship EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera provides better
automation to help photographers fine-tune how the camera operates
moment-by-moment so users can concentrate on creativity and success.
Filmmakers have also requested improved functionality for the EOS-1D C
Digital SLR Cinema camera, and its new update delivers.”
Improved Operability for the EOS-1D X
Developed as the ultimate Canon EOS camera, the EOS-1D X Digital SLR is
designed with foresight that enables its performance to be periodically
improved with new firmware upgrades, helping to ensure maximum
long-term value for owners and users of the camera. These improvements
are engineered to support and advance the evolving creative needs and
business imperatives of professional photographers and committed
high-end amateurs. The features provided by firmware version 2 are
designed for more efficient automation that takes the task of changing
settings away from the “heat of the moment” and enables photographers to
concentrate on creativity and obtaining valuable shots.
Firmware version 2 upgrades and operability additions include a total of 10 features that are now new or improved:
Firmware version 2 upgrades and operability additions include a total of 10 features that are now new or improved:
• AF Performance with
Moving Subjects – For greater creative control, additional parameters
have been added to AI Servo 2nd Image Priority, enabling users to adjust
these settings for more accurate AF performance according to the
situation at hand. Photographers can fine-tune the balance between
prioritizing focus versus the framing rate for the second and subsequent
shots in a burst.
• Enhanced AI Servo AF Performance in Low Light Conditions – The AI Servo focusing algorithm has been improved to allow more time for light sampling during AF activation prior to shutter release, enhancing AF performance in low-light situations. Additionally, initial AF control is now based on the new “+2 focus priority” setting of AI Servo 2nd Image Priority, which has higher distance measurement capabilities under low-light conditions. Upon full depression of the shutter button, settings from AI Servo 1st Image Priority take over and then settings from AI Servo 2nd Image Priority are applied on any subsequent images in the burst. This increases the probability that the first image in a burst sequence will be as sharp as possible.
• Improved Acceleration/Deceleration Tracking Parameters – To improve tracking performance of fast-moving subjects that fill the frame, additional parameters for acceleration/deceleration tracking in AI Servo AF have been added to provide photographers with more precise control when photographing rapidly moving subjects that accelerate or decelerate quickly or unexpectedly. In response to feedback from professional photographers, these new settings have been added to handle larger differences in speed (i.e., the rate of change in image magnification) compared to the previous firmware.
•
Selection of Initial AF Point While Shooting in 61-Point Auto Selection
AF – This new option in the AF Menu provides more continuity when
switching to 61-Point Auto Selection AF from any other AF Point
Selection mode. The option maintains the AF point selected from the
previous Selection mode as a starting point for 61-Point Auto Selection
AF. It also maintains the ability to change to a pre-programmed AF point
when changing the Selection mode. This time-saving option is designed
to help eliminate the need to stop and think, and helps photographers to
customize their individual shooting style.
• AF Point Switching According to Camera Orientation – In addition to programming the EOS-1D X camera to automatically switch to a different AF point and area selection mode based on camera orientation, firmware version 2 adds the option of programming only the AF point according to camera orientation (horizontal, grip up and grip down). This new ability to select up to three different AF points according to camera orientation allows for greater customization of the camera to specific shooting styles.
• Expanded Minimum Shutter Speed in Auto ISO – In response to user feedback, this improved functionality in Auto ISO enables photographers to select a minimum shutter speed as high as 1/8000th of a second to freeze moving subjects.
• Exposure Compensation in Auto ISO with Manual Mode Set – This new function enables photographers to manually set a desired shutter speed and aperture, use Auto ISO to control the exposure, and use Exposure Compensation to adjust the exposure for challenging lighting conditions (e.g., a very dark or very bright background). This new function can be activated through the Quick Control Dial or by using the Main Dial while pressing the SET button.
• Toggling Between Alternate
Camera Settings – EOS-1D X camera users can now toggle between three
groups of camera settings instantly by pressing the shutter button, AE
Lock button [*] or the AF-ON button. Selectable settings that can now be
assigned to the AE Lock and AF-ON buttons via Custom Controls include:
- AI Servo AF configuration sets (Case 1 through Case 6)
- Currently selected drive mode vs. 14 fps Super High Speed drive mode
With these new options, photographers can reconfigure their EOS-1D X
camera on the fly, while keeping their eye on the viewfinder to maintain
concentration on the shot they are trying to get. For example, the
camera could be set up for One-Shot AF and single shot drive mode on the
shutter button, AI Servo AF in Case 1 with high-speed continuous drive
mode on the AE Lock button, and AI Servo AF in Case 4 with
super-high-speed 14 fps continuous drive mode on the AF-ON button.
• Same Exposure for New Aperture in Manual Mode – This new firmware feature provides users with the ability to maintain consistent exposure levels in Manual mode when the aperture changes, for example when a photographer shoots at maximum aperture with a variable-aperture lens (such as the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom) or when using a lens equipped with built-in extender (such as the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X). The feature gives users the option to have the camera adjust the shutter speed or the ISO to compensate for the aperture change.
• Display Protected Images Only – Users can now page through protected images only via an option on the main dial. This feature already exists with rated images, and is an expansion of that capability.
Enhancements for the EOS-1D C
A versatile,
self-contained 4K cinema camera as well as a robust still photography
camera, the Canon EOS-1D C will also benefit from a new service update
that further enhances the performance of this unique imaging device.• EF Lens Communication – The new service update for the EOS-1D C Digital SLR Cinema camera will enable Canon EF-mount Cinema lenses to store lens metadata in the video recorded by the camera. Furthermore, Canon EF-mount Cinema lenses will be supported by Peripheral Illumination and Chromatic Aberration Correction functions, helping to improve overall image quality [1].
• Audio Recording – In
response to user requests, audio on the EOS-1D C camera has also been
enhanced. Currently audio recording is limited to a MIC input, but the
forthcoming service update will permit selection of LINE or MIC input,
allowing use of a wider variety of external audio sources.
Firmware version 2 for the EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera is scheduled to
be posted on the Canon U.S.A. website in January 2014. Users will be
able to download and install the new firmware on their own, or have it
installed by an authorized Canon Factory Service Center. For more
information please visit: www.usa.canon.com/
The update for the Canon EOS-1D C Digital SLR Cinema camera is scheduled to be available November 2013, and will be installed at no charge as a service upgrade that requires the camera to be sent to an authorized Canon Factory Service Center. For more information please visit: www.usa.canon.com/
