Canon unveiled a massive list of firmware, including autofocus improvements, flash photography tools, and password protection

Photographer James Artaius holding up a Canon EOS R5 Mark II

(Image credit: James Artaius)

Firmware updates give photographers more features without buying a new camera – and Canon just launched a massive list of firmware updates for several mirrorless cameras. The list of updates includes enhancements to autofocus, flash photography, burst speed, and password protection across several current model mirrorless cameras.

The list of updates includes improvements to the Canon EOS R1, R3, R5, R5 Mark II, R6 Mark II, R7, R8, R10, R50, R50 V, as well as the PowerShot V1 and V10 and C400, C80, C70, R5 C and XF605 cameras.

UPDATE: Canon issued this long list of firmware updates last week, however, pulled the firmware for the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II after users reported an issue using cards over 2TB. Now, Canon has re-released updated firmware for the R1 and R5 Mark II that corrects those bugs and adds the originally listed features.

With some firmware arriving on July 17, others on July 23, and Canon fixing the firmware for two of the cameras on July 24, Canon's July firmware is now available for download. Here’s what’s included.

Autofocus improvements for “net sports”

Applies to the Canon EOS R1 and R5 Mark II

Sports like volleyball and badminton add another challenge for sports photographers in focusing around the net. But Canon is introducing a net sports Servo AF mode that’s designed specifically for locking focus on the athlete and ignoring the net. Canon hasn’t detailed how this technology works, but I suspect that, like eye AF, AI-based subject recognition plays a role.

Easier flash photography with Exposure Simulation

Canon Speedlite — (Image credit: Future)

Applies to the Canon EOS R1, R5 Mark II, R3, R6 Mark II and R8

Exposing for an image taken with flash on an electronic viewfinder can be challenging because the photographer has to imagine the flash effect. Canon is adding a flash exposure simulation to several mirrorless cameras. Canon cameras typically turn the exposure preview off when a flash is added, because setting exposure settings for the flash may make that preview look too dark in the viewfinder. The new exposure simulation mode for flash, Canon explains, allows photographers to choose to leave the exposure preview on when using flash for “accurate previews of lighting conditions for improved results.”

Customizable pre-continuous shooting settings

Applies to the Canon EOS R1 and R5 Mark II

Canon’s pre-continuous burst saves photos when the shutter button is pressed halfway in order to decrease the odds of missing the moment in action photography. With a firmware update, photographers using the R1 and R5 Mark II can now select a custom number of shots to be saved in the pre-continuous burst mode, allowing for increasing the odds of getting the shot or decreasing the amount of photos to go through later.

Panning assist for smoother AF tracking of moving subjects

Canon EOS R1 sat on the court in front of a game of basketball — (Image credit: James Artaius)

Applies to the Canon EOS R1 only

The Canon EOS R3 has a panning assist feature that helps improve tracking when panning with fast-moving subjects. Now, with a firmware update, the R1 will gain this feature as well.

8TB CFexpress card support

Applies to the Canon EOS R1, R5 Mark II, R3 and R5

Can’t get enough storage? With a firmware update, the R1, R5 Mark II, R3, and R5 will now support CFExpress cards that are up to 8TB in capacity. I suspect this is in part a move to help future-proof the CFexpress support, as I can't find a card larger than 4 TB.

VR lens support

Canon RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE lens attached to a Canon EOS R7 camera — (Image credit: Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)

Applies to the Canon EOS R50

The Canon EOS R50 gains compatibility with Canon’s VR lenses with a firmware update. This update allows the budget mirrorless to use the Canon RF-S 3.9mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye and RF-S 7.8mm f/4 STM Dual lenses to capture VR content.

Password-protected cameras

Applies to the EOS R1, R5 Mark II, R3, R5, R6 Mark II, R7, R8, R10, R50, R50 V, C400, C80, C70, R5 C, XF605, PowerShot V1 and V10

The feature coming to the most cameras in the Canon July 2025 firmware updates is password protection. Canon is adding a network security enhancement pin code to more than a dozen cameras. Canon first started adding password protection to cinema cameras and is now adding the feature to still cameras because European cybersecurity regulations are calling for any internet-connected device to have the option to password protect the device. This feature will be added for when the cameras are connected to a network, Canon says.

Firmware should always be downloaded directly from the manufacturer. Most of the firmware launched on July 17 and is available from Canon Support. The password protection firmware for the C400, C80, R5 C, and XF605 was released on July 23.

For detailed instructions, use DCW's guide on how to download Canon EOS firmware.

Editor's note: Canon included CP2A among the listed firmware features in an error; however, CP2A is not included in the July firmware updates. The article has been updated to reflect this.