Canon’s Car AF Mode Coming to EOS R5 and R6 December 2 Through Firmware Update: Digital Photography Review

Screenshot from a Canon promotional video, embedded below, shows the capabilities of its Car AF mode with motorsport photographer Larry Chen.

Canon Japan has announced new firmware updates for EOS R5, EOS R6 and EOS 1DX Mark III The camera system will be released on December 2, 2021, bringing new and improved autofocus performance to each of the three cameras.

Firmware version 1.6.0 for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III brings a unique update: improved head detection performance for those wearing helmets and goggles during season sports winter, such as skiing and snowboarding. While it’s relatively small, it’s a timely update for northern hemisphere photographers and will probably also improve AF performance when shooting friends and family while sledding and the like. .

Firmware Version 1.5.0 for the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 is slightly more substantial, not only delivering improved AF performance for those wearing helmets and glasses while doing winter sports, but ‘Vehicle Priority’ AF mode is also added. give priority to cars and motorcycles when shooting sports car racing. The ‘Spot Detection’ feature can also be implemented to specifically focus on the driver’s helmet inside the vehicle.

This Car AF feature was first introduced during Canon’s EOS R3 camera showcase, so it’s great to see the feature trickle down to its EOS R5 and EOS R6 cameras. However, it is not yet known if it will perform as well on the EOS R5 and EOS R6 as it does on the EOS R3 when available. Interestingly, Canon specifically notes that ‘Vehicles in general, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles may not be detected’, but doesn’t elaborate on why, specifically, non-racing vehicles will. not easily detected.

Here is a video showcasing the Car AF mode used by Canon Ambassador and motorsport photographer Larry Chen on the EOS R3:

Canon has also improved Eye AF detection when shadows on the face or bangs/edges obscure the subject’s eyes, and also added a new body detection element that will focus on the center of the subject if the eye , their faces and heads. hidden or obscured.

Firmware version 1.6.0 for EOS-1D X Mark III and firmware version 1.5.0 for EOS R5 and EOS R6 will be available for download on the camera’s respective product pages on December 2, 2021.