Canon’s Major Firmware Updates Bring Better Autofocus, Flash Control, and More

Canon will release major firmware updates today, July 17. The R1 and R5 Mark II will now support C2PA content authenticity. This means Canon joins Sony and Leica in offering content verification, which is becoming more crucial in our AI-driven world.

But that’s not all. Canon has also added password protection to 17 cameras to comply with European cybersecurity laws. Plus, for sports photographers, there are performance upgrades that will help track fast-moving subjects more easily. These updates are free and apply to a range of cameras, from their top models to the PowerShot series.

Network Security Gets Serious

Do you remember when cameras were just for taking pictures? Those days are behind us. Canon has added password protection to 17 different camera models, from the high-end R1 to the more compact PowerShot V10. This isn’t just about Canon being overly cautious — though a bit of caution is good in cybersecurity.

New regulations in Europe are pushing for better protection of personal data when cameras connect to networks. Your camera collects information like IP addresses and MAC addresses when you upload photos using Wi-Fi.

The full list of affected models includes all cameras in the R series (R1, R5 Mark II, R3, R5, R6 Mark II, R7, R8, R10, R50), along with the C400, C80, C70, R5 C, XF605, and both PowerShot V models. Note, however, that the new firmware with security password protection for C400, C80, C70, R5C, and XF605 will be released after July 23.

Sports Photography Gets a Boost

Canon has clearly taken note of what sports photographers want. The new R1 features an advanced panning assist function from the R3, which is great for capturing action shots on the sidelines. Both the R1 and R5 Mark II also include a special Servo AF mode made for shooting through nets. If you’re a sports photographer, you must know it can be tricky to capture a badminton smash through netting. This improvement makes it much easier.

Additionally, both cameras have customizable settings for pre-continuous shooting mode. This means you can control how many frames are taken before you hit the shutter button. For action photographers who need to catch that perfect moment, this level of customization is incredibly useful.

More Updates Worth Noting

Canon has added support for 8TB CFexpress Type B cards to the R1, R5 Mark II, R3, and R5 models. This means you’ll have plenty of space for those 45MP RAW photo bursts. For flash photographers, there’s good news too. When a flash is connected to the hotshoe, exposure simulation will be available on the R1, R5 Mark II, R3, R6 Mark II, and R8.

The compact R50 is also getting some updates. It will now work with Canon’s RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye and RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lenses for creative 3D projects.

All of these Canon’s major firmware updates will be available today and they’re completely free.

Update July 18, 2025: This article has been edited to remove a previous mention of the Content Authenticity update (CP2A). Canon confirmed that the inclusion of CP2A wasn’t intended for this release and will not be part of this update.

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