Last Updated on May 31, 2023 by cameraconsumer
Have you updated your Canon EOS R5 to the latest firmware update?
The sensors and computers in modern cameras have really developed over the past decade. So, updating your firmware to the latest version upgrades your camera significantly.
Newer cameras, particularly mirrorless cameras rely more on software and sensors, than mirrors and mechanical hardware.
A Canon R5 with 2023 firmware is definitely a better camera than an R5 with 2020 firmware. So let’s get your camera updated to the latest firmware version, which is currently 1.81. And then we’ll take a look at what’s new for version 1.81.
This will only take a few minutes, and it’s really easy!
Step 1: Download the Firmware
The first step is to download the newest firmware update. (If you just recently bought your R5, it might already be updated, so check your camera first.)
If you do a Google search for “Canon R5 firmware update”, the first result should be the right page. Or, you can find the latest firmware version here. The current version is 1.81, but it might change, of course, depending on when you read this.
Find the correct version – Mac or Windows.
Then, after you click the Terms and Conditions checkbox, it will give you the download button. Click the button to start the download.
If you haven’t already, register your camera with Canon. They’ll email you the next time an update is released. This way, you’ll always have the newest firmware update as soon as it’s dropped.
While that downloads – and it won’t take very long – we’ll move on to Step 2.
Step 2: Format the Memory Card
Now, take one of your memory cards, and format it.
Place the card in your camera and then go to go to the tool tab (the yellow tab) in the menu, and choose format card. The format will take just a few seconds.
Just keep in mind, you will lose all of the data on the card.
Step 3: Install the Firmware
Turn your camera off and remove your memory card.
Plug the memory card back into your computer. Then, go to your Downloads folder, and find the folder that we downloaded in Step 1. It should be named eosr5-v181-win for Windows or eosr5-v181-mac for Mac. Double-click on this folder.
When you open that folder, you’ll see a .FIR file. Take the .FIR file and drag or copy and paste it over to the memory card.
Step 4: Update the Firmware
Eject your memory card and then place the memory card back into your camera.
Press the menu button, head back over to the yellow tool tab, and go to “firmware”. You’ll see your current firmware version on the screen. Then, it will ask you if you want to update your firmware – click on “ok”.
Leave your camera alone for a minute while it updates. When it finishes installing, it will say “Update is complete”, and it will ask you to click on “OK”. So, click the “OK” button.
That’s it…you’re updated to the latest firmware version!
What’s in Version 1.81
Now that your Canon R5 is updated with the latest firmware update, let’s take a quick look at what’s new, and what has been fixed or upgraded.
According to Canon, there are 5 “fixes and enhancements” with version 1.81.
- New IBIS High Resolution Shot
- Ability to save and load communication settings to your card
- Ability to crop and resize images during FTP transfer
- Added image protection during FTP transfer
- Minor issue fixes
1.) New IBIS High Resolution Shot
The IBIS High Resolution Shot is the feature that many have been waiting for. It enables you to take a single photo with up to nine photos stitched together to create a 400-megapixel image.
Press the shutter button completely, and nine images are captured continuously. Then they’re combined into a single image and recorded to your memory card.
So, to enable IBIS High Resolution, go to the menu, and select the Camera icon. Click on “IBIS High Resolution Shot”, and then on the next screen, click on “Enable”.
The IBIS High Resolution Shot has a lot of potential for the Canon R5.
It’s capable of producing some impressive photos, but you’ll have to play around with it a little to get the maximum benefits. And it certainly works much better for static subjects. So, you’re probably best off using a tripod.
First Impressions Using IBIS
IBIS works by using built-in image stabilization and moving the sensor nine times.
When you hold down the shutter button, it takes nine photos, and then it will stitch them together. There are a few downsides though. First, it can’t shoot raw, it only shoots in JPEG. And the image takes a while to process – about 9 to 15 seconds, depending on what settings and shutter speeds you were using.
And it creates weird artifacts on moving objects.
If you’re more of a studio photographer and you’re taking photos of non-moving static objects, this is an amazing feature. But if you’re a landscape photographer, or if you shoot a lot of moving objects, then this won’t really work for you.
2.) Adds “Save/Load comm. settings on card”
This feature allows for settings from the wireless features tab to be saved on a card and transferred to other cameras. And it works the other way around too. So, settings configured on the wireless features tab on other cameras can also be applied to your R5.
To use this feature, go to the wireless tab, and click on “Save/load comm. settings on card”. Then, click on “Save to card”, and then on “OK”.
To load those features on another camera, go to the same settings menu, but choose “Load from card” in the 2nd step.
3.) Ability to crop and resize images during FTP transfer
Not the sexiest feature, but it adds a little functionality to FTP transfers. You can now crop and resize images during the transfer to an FTP server.
4.) Added image protection during FTP transfer
This basically makes it possible to determine whether or not the image has been FTP-transferred.
5.) Minor issue fixes
They don’t elaborate on this one, but we’re guessing they fixed the bugs on version 1.80.
Conclusion
When a camera is still being supported, the firmware updates are somewhat frequent. And while most updates offer incremental upgrades, those small improvements add up over time.
It’s what allows a camera from 2020 to still hold up in 2023!
Version 1.81 offers some extra functionality, and fixes some minor issues. And while it doesn’t offer any AF improvements, it’s still definitely a worthwhile update!
