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Canon EOS R Firmware update brings Sony-like Eye-AF

by 22 Comments

I guess Eye-AF is the future. Following Sony’s and Nikon’s Eye-AF releases, Canon could not afford to be left behind. So, Canon is releasing their own firmware for the Canon EOS-R which mainly includes a new eye-AF functionality.

While Canon HK published the news about two weeks ago, the actual update became available via Canon Canada only now.

Canon says that

In the new firmware version 1.2.0, “Eye-detection AF” function will be available in “Servo AF” or “Movie Servo AF” settings. This function helps to track and ensure subject’s eye is continuously in focus during photo and video shooting. When EOS R is used with large aperture lenses, such as RF 50mm f/1.2L USM in a move or to shoot a moving subject, “Eye-detection AF” function will be able to keep the subject’s eye in focus for a crispy clear portrait shot.

There are also some other features and fixes included in this 1.2.0 release for the EOS R :

Eye-detection AF [new]

  • Supports Servo AF when shooting still images.
  • Now available when shooting movies regardless of “Movie Servo AF” setting.

Small AF Frame Size [new]

  • Supports Servo AF when shooting still images.
  • Now available when shooting movies regardless of “Movie Servo AF” setting.

[fixes]

  • Under certain conditions the electronic level displayed in the electronic viewfinder did not display properly.
  • Under certain conditions information displayed in the electronic viewfinder was not properly rotated.
  • Under certain conditions updating the firmware for the wireless file transmitter WFT-E7 was not possible.

This firmware update is for cameras equipped with firmware up to Version 1.1.0. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.2.0, this update is unnecessary. When updating the firmware of your camera, please first review the instructions thoroughly before you download the firmware.

The firmware update takes approximately 6 minutes.

Caution:
The user guide has been revised to reflect the functional improvements to the product. Please download the latest version of the user guide together with the new firmware. The latest version of the user guide can be downloaded from Canon’s Web site.

Now, we need a comparison of all three major brands eye-AF!

[Canon EOS-R firmware 1.2.0]

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  • Zeno

    Will such thing ever come to 5dmk4?

    • Garett Harnish

      I would suspect not without replacing the digic 5+ processor with a digic 8 processor. And, even then, only in live view.

      • Zeno

        Digic 6+. But it still doesn’t have it?

        • Garett Harnish

          Sorry, fat fingers. yes, digic 6+. I really don’t know for sure

          It might be technically possible, but I suspect it would require a lot of work (more than just copying the code like they did with the new DSLR they announced) to make it work.

          If it will cost them money to do, I can’t see them doing it.

          • Charles

            Everything in the camera costs money to do. If it will expand sales and market share, add to profitability… they will do it. They are first and foremost in business to make a profit. They are not a charity.

        • WW

          Have you tried face-detect on the 5d4 with fast lenses wide-open? It always focuses on the nearest eye, try it.

          • Charles

            People comment on cameras they don’t own or don’t know how to set up properly and then blame the camera. I always look for comments from real users, like you. 😉

  • Garett Harnish

    The EOS R has had Eye AF since it launched; but it was limited to one shot AF.

  • barry wilson

    Just another example of why Canikon never gives customers what customers want (unless their engineers and bean counters approve from on high) until a bloodthirsty competitor forces action. Sort of like Sprint forcing unlimited on Big Blue and Big Red.

  • pieter van der walt

    Well it works well after update , almost instant but sadly you still need to be a few meter from subject . I’ve never owned a Sony but it seems from what I’ve seen the Sonys can do a full body shot with lots of background with no problems. Its not practical having to switch between modes till the camera finally decides it close enough for eye AF .

    • Speeding

      At “full body distance” if the face is detected, the eyes are also in focus no?

      • pieter van der walt

        Well that would be determined by focal length x aperture ? So if you have a wide lens with shallow depth of field at more then half body length it would be most likely in focus then then a 135mm f1.8 at same frame due to it’s much more shallow depth of field.

        • Speeding

          With the same framing (full body)?

          Both of these frame a full body shot:
          24mm f/1.4 at 1.5m = 31cm DOF
          135mm f/1.8 at 8m = 37cm DOF

          That’s more than enough DOF to get the entire head in focus using face-detect. Eye, nose, tooth detect would be redundant at that distance as the DOF is 30+cm.

          • pieter van der walt

            Cool thanks for that data , I had a feeling it becomes less of a concern the further you are from subject , and the fact we rarely print larg these days . I wonder if canon factored all of this in and just could not be bothered to go the extra mile with they eye detect

    • Charles

      A few meters away? That is not true. I own the R. Firmware updated. No problem. Do you own one?

  • ZorroRules

    I could care less about the “eye focus” thing to be frank and having some dumb square boxes moving all over hell’s half acre just seems distracting to me. If a person is moving does anyone want to JUST get the eye in focus, what about the rest of the person. Just seems like a big nothing to me. It’s just the internet 4k types that are driving all this crap. Nice to have, sure, fine, big deal, not, just a marketing

    • James Williams

      If you don’t care about eye auto focus you’re obviously not a portrait photographer. The eye being in focus is the most important part of a subject being in focus. Having eye af is like cheating to me. It makes my life insanely easy. I can focus more on the composition, exposure, and body being cut off in the right area instead of focus.

      • Charles

        I don’t shoot video at all. I’m a portrait and fashion photographer and the eye AF on the R is a Godsend. @ZorroRules it isn’t so much the 4K video people driving this. I never, ever shoot video. There are far more wedding, portrait, and fashion photographers who find this extremely useful. My keeper rate has skyrocketed. The AF on the R for guys like me is leagues ahead of my 5D Mark III… even with adapted EF lenses that had to be AFMA every now and then. A real chore. No need whatsoever for AFMA now. The eye AF and the extremely good AF on the R has made my life far easier. Eye AF can be turned off if one doesn’t like it or want it in a particular situation in the same way AF can be turned off completely and manual focus can be used when needed. The drag focus, for me, is also far superior to the joystick on my 5D Mark III. So while you consider it crap and “just marketing” (whatever that means) … insignificant, that may be true for you. For a lot of us it is the bomb. BTW: Stopping down with EYE AF on will still get the whole person in focus. If using an f/1.2 lens or even f/2.8 lens wide open… one has to step back a distance to get the whole person in focus and deep enough DOF to accomplish that anyway. So yeah, it is a big deal to many people. I understand if you don’t like or need it, but to say it isn’t a big deal for everyone and just a marketing gimmick (which the words you used imply), that’s just an uninformed statement that doesn’t take into consideration use cases other than your own. It doesn’t get JUST the eye in focus. However, it ensures the eye is in focus. Especially the iris. That’s what wows my customers and magazine editors. I also have about 40 old MF lenses (I’m a collector). The focus peaking has really helped when I use them with my old eyes.

  • Markthetog

    Updated my camera and the eye AF does work better.
    If, however, it is close to Sony in performance then the Sony AF is way over-hyped because the AF is OK but not save -your-life great.

    • Garett Harnish

      I found this update improved AF in general, resulting in a lot more sharp shots (even san AF).

  • Tomy

    Will this come to the EOS RP ?

  • Ken

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