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Canon 7D Firmware Upgrade Due in August… Bigger RAW Buffer, GPS Adapter Compatibility and Manual Audio Levels

June 28, 2012 By Eric Reagan

Canon 7D

The previously teased firmware update for the Canon 7D is now officially set to be released in August.  The firmware set looks to be a mighty big one with a RAW image burst buffer that now allows 25 consecutive images over the previous 15.

7D RAW Buffer

The firmware update will also provide support for the Canon GP-E2 GPS receiver.

Canon 7D with GP-E2 GPS Receiver

Another big feature for the 7D will be the addition of manual audio level adjustment, which is something 7D HDSLR shooters have been wanting ever since the camera was released.

Manual Audio Levels 7D

There are a whole lot of additional features fully detailed in the press release below.  There is also a (rather hokey) video preview of the new features on Canon’s website.

New Firmware Enhances Functionality Of EOS 7D Digital SLR

Free Update Increases Buffer Capacity to 25 RAW Images, Adds In-Camera RAW Processing and Many Other New Features

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., June 28, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced a firmware update for the EOS 7D Digital SLR camera that adds new functionality to improve its performance for serious photographers and semi-professional users. The update, free to all EOS 7D owners, gives the camera more advanced shooting options, including an increase in the maximum number of burst images taken in the RAW file format (from 15i frames to 25ii frames) as well as the ability to process RAW image files directly in the camera and the option to set a maximum ISO setting in ISO Auto mode. The firmware also adds the ability to adjust up to 64 audio levels manually prior to recording video, supports custom file naming, and allows for compatibility with Canon’s newly introduced, optional GPS Receiver GP-E2.

“By introducing this firmware we want our customers to know that we are always looking to enhance the user experience for all of our current products in the marketplace,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “The latest firmware for the EOS 7D Digital SLR enhances the capabilities of the camera and brings new possibilities to its users, making it a more valuable tool for their craft.”

Enhancing the Imaging and Audio Capabilities

For budding action photographers who use the EOS 7D as their camera of choice, being able to capture the perfect shot comes down to a matter of milliseconds. The EOS 7D is capable of taking photos at a high-speed burst rate of up to 8 frames per second (fps). With the firmware installed the camera captures up to 25 consecutive frames when shooting in RAW and up to 17iii consecutive frames when taking RAW+JPEG images.

Once the firmware is installed the EOS 7D will also be able to process RAW images directly in the camera, allowing dynamic adjustment of exposure compensation, white balance, picture style, noise reduction at high ISO speeds, distortion correction, and other processing parameters. For mobile photographers, this ability to adjust RAW images quickly and re-save them as JPEG files can be a huge time-saver as opposed to downloading files to a computer and making adjustments later. The camera will also be able to re-size JPEG image files in-camera. These features will be accessible through the Quick Control functions which will be accessible while the camera is in playback mode. When viewing images on the camera, image files can also be given a star ranking for easy sorting during post processing. The firmware will also enable faster scrolling of images when displayed in a magnified view on the camera’s LCD screen.

The new firmware enables photographers to have more control over the maximum ISO speed when the camera is in ISO Auto mode by setting a maximum ISO range. In certain low-light scenarios, such as during a sunset, where light changes each minute, photographers can lose the brilliance and color if the ISO setting is too high. Now, photographers can ensure their ISO setting will remain within specific parameters allowing them to concentrate on the moment, knowing that they will achieve the desired photographic results. The firmware also adjusts the available ISO Auto range, previously 100-3200 and now ISO 100-6400.

In addition to these enhancements, the new EOS 7D firmware enables manual adjustment of audio levels prior to recording video, similar to the functionality found on the EOS 5D Mark II. Videographers can now manually adjust up to 64 audio levels on the EOS 7D so that they can refine the captured audio to match their particular needs.

Similar to the new EOS 5D Mark III, a new submenu provided with the EOS 7D firmware update enables photographers to modify the first four characters of file names, in the camera. This valuable feature makes it easier to use the EOS 7D camera in multi-camera shooting situations by providing a way to identify the files coming from a particular camera without opening each image individually.

Canon GPS Compatibility

The new firmware adds full compatibility for the EOS 7D with Canon’s GPS Receiver GP-E2. This GPS Receiver can be mounted to the camera’s accessory shoe or clipped to a belt and tethered via a USB cable. The GP-E2 was created to serve outdoor photographers; it records shooting locations including latitude, longitude and altitude, as well as camera direction. The camera’s internal clock can now synced through the GPS unit using UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), the primary standard by which time is regulated, for accurate time recording or syncing clocks on multiple cameras. A GPS Logging function can display the photographer’s route on a map, using supplied software.

Availability

The new firmware upgrade for the EOS 7D Digital SLR camera together with installation instructions will be available in early August at no charge through Canon U.S.A.’s website. For more information please visit the following link to view an online video about the new EOS 7D firmware features, www.usa.canon.com/eos7dfirmwareupgrade

Filed Under: Canon Tagged With: buffer, canon 7d, dslr, firmware update, GP-E2, gps, manual audio, RAW burst

 

Comments

  1. LOADWICK says

    June 28, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    Why can’t we have the video crop mode with a 7.2x zoom crop like on the much cheaper models?

  2. Alex B says

    June 28, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    Cant wait. Just in time for IRL Baltimore!

  3. vitamins says

    June 29, 2012 at 3:39 am

    The features are good, but no matter what the upgrade is it cannot reduce the NOISE at high ISOs which is the ONLY weakness in Canon 7D

    • bboy says

      June 29, 2012 at 3:42 am

      you are right, the Nikon dslrs are really good at high ISO. I really wish my Canon 7D could perform good at least like the D7000 at ISO 3200 and above.

  4. Roelof says

    August 3, 2012 at 8:38 am

    I am also waiting, but August has 31 days! So when in August? It can by on the 31st!
    Canon also do not have the GPS in stock, so is that also in August?
    I am stil like a child (74) when I want somthing, I canot wait!
    Good luck thanks for news letter
    Roelof

Trackbacks

  1. KLMcKeePhotography » Canon 7D Firmware Upgrade Due in August… Bigger RAW Buffer, GPS Adapter Compatibility and Manual Audio Levels says:
    June 28, 2012 at 11:41 am

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  2. Canon 7D Firmware Update Turns It Into A New Camera says:
    June 28, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    […] Via: Photography Bay […]

  3. An Interesting Article: Canon 7D Firmware Update Turns It Into A New Camera « Jeremy's (almost) Daily Musings says:
    June 28, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    […] Via: Photography Bay […]

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