Firmware Update For Canon EOS M Officially Announced (Auto-Focus 2.3x Faster, Available End Of June 2013)

June 6, 2013
Canon News
11 Comments

Canon EOS M
B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Big EOS M day today, after the announcement of the new EF-M 11-22mm IS STM lens, now we know that we will eventually get the long attended firmware update (ver. 2.0.0) for the Canon EOS M.

Canon New Zealand states it clearly:

The EOS M firmware upgrade will be free to download from the Canon website from the end of June 2013.

Concerning the auto-focus speed:

Further enhancing the performance and utility of the EOS M, Canon also announces today a firmware upgrade that boosts the AF shutter speed, making One Shot AF up to 2.3x faster (¹). The new firmware delivers improved performance as a result of a reworked AF Drive Control System and Canon encourages all existing users of the EOS M to download the new firmware version 2 once it becomes available at the end of June 2013 (²).

Good to know that Canon will not let EOS M users in the rain, despite the fact they will soon announce the successor of the EOS M.

There is a super deal for the Canon EOS M with EF-M 18-55mm IS STM

Canon NZ press release:

Canon today announces enhancements to the EOS M Compact System Camera with a firmware upgrade to enhance AF performance and an addition to the EF-M lens range – the new ultra-wide angle zoom lens EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM.

Expanded horizons with ultra-wide zoom lens

Designed for specific use with Canon’s EOS M Compact System Camera, the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is Canon’s first ultra wide-angle EF lens to feature an Optical Image Stabilizer. Offering a versatile wide-angle zoom range, first-class optical performance, and a new retractable design, the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is the perfect addition for EOS M users wanting to capture very wide fields of view, from beach landscapes to festival crowds or grand architecture.

Firmware upgrade boosts AF Speed by up to 2.3x

Further enhancing the performance and utility of the EOS M, Canon also announces today a firmware upgrade that boosts the AF shutter speed, making One Shot AF up to 2.3x faster¹. The new firmware delivers improved performance as a result of a reworked AF Drive Control System and Canon encourages all existing users of the EOS M to download the new firmware version 2 once it becomes available at the end of June 2013².

“The EOS M is designed for people who want to spontaneously capture the great moments in life, in the highest quality, without missing a beat.” says Robert de Jeu, Senior Product Manager – Technical
Imaging Specialist, Consumer Imaging at Canon New Zealand. “With this firmware upgrade, Canon has responded to the feedback from the community by providing them with an increase in AF speed, enabling users to capture high-quality images quickly. What’s more, with the introduction of the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens, they are able to get even more of the fun around them into the frame.”

Wide-angle video capture

With the ultra-wide EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens, shooting smooth Full HD movies is easy using the advanced Dynamic IS mode, which combats more exaggerated forms of camera shake that occur when shooting video on the move. Canon’s near-silent STM technology also ensures focus noise is suppressed during movie capture, so the audience can enjoy crystal clear sound to match the visual quality of the footage captured.

Designed for performance and style

Incredibly compact and lightweight, the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM has been designed to fit easily into the smallest of spaces so it can be carried everywhere. A new retractable lens design locked in place by a switch, allows users to retract the lens back into the barrel when not in use.

EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM – key features:

Ultra-wide 11-22mm EF-M zoom lens
Compact, retractable lens design
Smooth, quiet STM focusing for movies
Dynamic IS for steady movies
3-stop optical Image Stabilizer
High image quality
0.15m minimum focusing distance
Manual focus ring

The Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens is expected to be available in Australia late July with pricing at dealer discretion.

The EOS M firmware upgrade will be free to download from the Canon website from the end of June 2013.

Footnotes

When using FlexiZone Multi AF and the EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens. Speed improvement is dependent upon shooting conditions and lens
The firmware upgrade also corrects a rare phenomenon that causes the EOS M controls to become unresponsive when the new EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens is used

[via FM forum]