New firmware for the Canon EOS 7D

Canon has announced a firmware update for its EOS 7D camera, with a host of improvements for both stills and video.

A number of new features have been included in version 2, including increased burst shooting in RAW format; control over audio recording; maximum setting for auto ISO; and compatibility with the GP-E2.

In the previous version of the 7D, the maximum burst of consecutive frames that could be captured was 15. With this update, the number has been significantly extended. It is now possible to capture a burst of up to 25 frames in RAW and up to 17 if shooting in RAW and JPEG.

It seems that RAW images are one of the strong points that have been focused on when renewing the firmware, as there will be many more possibilities for in-camera processing. RAW files can be edited in-camera and options can be changed before saving the final file. Adjustments can be made to white balance, Picture Style, noise reduction at high ISO speeds, distortion or chromatic aberration corrections, and other parameters.

In order to be able to perform all these functions, it is necessary to keep in mind that this can only be done if we are working with full resolution RAW files, not with M-RAW or S-RAW files.

But it is not only the RAW image functions that have been improved, the new features also affect JPEG files. Within the recording menu, all JPEGs can be resized to reduce them, and saved as new images. One of the advantages is that when doing this, the aspect ratio cannot be changed.

If we are enlarging an image, to check the focus for example, it will now be much easier due to the increased scrolling speed.

There are places and times when the light can be quite changeable; therefore, in this version 2, Canon has included a setting that allows you to limit the maximum ISO when in auto. This provides greater control for overexposure and noise level, and can limit the sensitivity between 400 and 6,400 ISO.

One of the new features mentioned above was the ability to adjust the sound recording. While a video is being captured, it is possible to manually adjust the audio recording levels, among the 64 available, and the sound volume during playback, choosing between 1 and 11 for the latter. In addition, a digital filter has been included to reduce wind noise produced around the microphone.

Another time-saving feature available is the ability to rate images. Following other DSLR models, such as the EOS 60D, EOS-1D X, or the Canon 5D Mark III, the EOS 7D will now be able to rate images from 1 to 5 stars and thus organize them more easily and quickly. In addition, this option has another advantage, and that is that you can use the ratings in software such as Adobe Elements, Adobe Bridge or Apple Aperture.

With support for the GP-E2 receiver (an option already available on the 5D Mark III and 1D X), Canon’s latest GPS device, users will be able to tag and locate photos with longitude, latitude and altitude data, adding this information to the image’s EXIF file. The GP-E2 connects to the camera via USB cable and can be attached to the hot shoe.

Options to adjust file names or time zone have also been included.

This firmware update for the Canon EOS 7D will be available starting next August.

During the DIT course that will take place between July 9 and 20, we will work with several cameras, among them the Canon C300. Here you have all the information.