Canon EOS R3 gains 240fps 1080p video, EOS R5 can disable automatic overheat shutdown with new firmware

Canon has released a number of new firmware updates for its EOS R3, EOS R5 and EOS R6 mirrorless cameras. Amongst the standout features are the EOS R3’s newfound ability to shoot 1080p video at up to 240 frames per second in “High frame rate” mode. You can also set a maximum number of images to shoot when in high-speed continuous shooting mode. You’re able to choose anywhere from 2 to 50 images at speeds of around 30-195fps.

The Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 updates are fairly minor, with some performance enhancements and the ability to convert multiple HEIF images to JPG. But the EOS R5 gets one extra trick, an “Auto Power Off Temp” setting that lets you choose to not have the camera automatically turn off when it thinks it’s overheating.

The higher 1080p frame rate and continuous shooting mode image cap aren’t the only new additions to the EOS R3 in version 1.2.0, as you can see here in the complete firmware notes list:

Firmware Version 1.2.0 incorporates the following enhancements and fixes:

• Adds the ability to set “Custom high speed continuous” to the Drive mode. It is possible to shoot from 2 to 50 images continuously at a speed of approximately 30 to 195 fps.
• Adds the ability to select “FHD 239.76 fps/200.00 fps” in “High frame rate.”
• Adds the ability for in camera “Depth compositing” during “Focus bracketing.”
• Adds Focus bracketing and depth compositing with a flash (Speedlite EL-1).
• Adds the ability of time-lapse movie recording. Note that the time-lapse movie setting is retained even if the camera enters the Auto Power Off state before starting time-lapse movie recording.
• Adds the ability of Cloud RAW processing functionality. RAW processing with the latest image processing technology is possible. This is a paid service that requires the purchase of a Canon Imaging App Service Plan, which will be available starting July 25, 2022.
• Adds the ability to convert multiple HEIF images into multiple JPEG images..
• Adds the ability to set [Still Image Crop/Aspect] to [Custom Controls]. The assigned button can be used to switch between crop and aspect ratio.
• Adds the ability to crop and resize images during transfer to an FTP server.
• 802.1X authentication/WPA2-Enterprise now supports the PKCS#12 certificate format.
• Adds an electronic shutter sound to be played when the mechanical shutter or electronic 1st-curtain is set.
• Enhances the performance of “Movie Digital IS”. It stabilizes the image when taking selfies or walking shots using a wide-angle lens.
• Adds [Auto Power Off Temp.: Standard/High] to the menu for still shooting.
• Fixes an issue, which displays Error Code 70 on the camera, that may occur, in rare instances, when the [Disp. performance] setting is set to [Smooth].
• Fixes minor issues.

The EOS R5 update will be quite welcome for filmmakers who regularly face overheating issues – although they have lessened to some degree over the course of several firmware updates. Given that you can disable it, though, I am curious just how hot the camera is going to get in the real world and if it’ll potentially cause any long-term issues if this feature is set and users are regularly ignoring that temperature warning.

Firmware Version 1.6.0 incorporates the following enhancements and fixes:

• Adds [Auto Power Off Temp.: Standard/High] to the menu for movie recording. When [High] is selected, the camera will not automatically turn off when the temperature of the camera body and card become high, which may allow for longer movie recording than before, depending on the shooting conditions. Note that the temperature of the bottom surface of the camera may increase at this time.
• Adds the ability to convert multiple HEIF images into multiple JPEG images.
• Enhances the performance of “Movie Digital IS”. It stabilizes the image when taking selfies or walking shots using a wide-angle lens.
• Fixes minor issues.

The EOS R6 firmware update is essentially the same as that for the EOS R5, except without the Auto Power Off Temp addition.

Firmware Version 1.6.0 incorporates the following enhancements and fixes:

• Adds the ability to convert multiple HEIF images into multiple JPEG images.
• Enhances the performance of “Movie Digital IS”. It stabilizes the image when taking selfies or walking shots using a wide-angle lens.
• Fixes minor issues.

All three firmware updates are available to download now from the Canon website.