Canon confirms details of 5DmkII firmware. Mid march release.

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In a press release from Canon UK the following was announced at 0001 Tuesday 2nd March GMT. Thanks to Canonrumors.com for this

Canon adds 24 and 25fps HD Movie recording to the EOS 5D Mark II with Firmware 2.0.3

London, 2nd March 2010 – Canon today pre-announces the release of a firmware update for the multiple award-winning EOS 5D Mark II. Originally announced in late 2009, the update adds 24* and 25 frames per second (fps) recording to the camera’s EOS MOVIE video function, and will be available as a free download from the middle of March.

Developed following feedback from photographers and cinematographers, Firmware 2.0.3 further enhances the EOS 5D Mark II’s excellent video performance. The addition of new frame rates expands the camera’s video potential, providing filmmakers with the ability to shoot 1080p Full HD footage at 24fps (actual 23.976fps) – the optimum frame rate for cinematic video. 25fps support at both 1920×1080 and 640×480 resolutions will allow users to film at the frame rate required for the PAL broadcast standard, while the new firmware will also change the 30fps option to the NTSC video standard of 29.97fps.

A new histogram display for shooting movies in manual exposure, shutter-priority (Tv) and aperture-priority (Av) have been added, and exposure modes will also be available in movie mode. Improved audio functionality will allow users to set sound record levels manually using a sound-level meter displayed on the LCD screen. The audio sampling frequency has also been increased from 44.1KHz to 48KHz, providing the optimum audio signal typically required for professional or broadcast material.

With its full frame CMOS sensor and compatibility with Canon’s wide range of premium lenses, the EOS 5D Mark II is already recognised for its outstanding HD video performance. Launched in September 2008, the camera immediately created a wide range of new possibilities for photographers and videographers, and the addition of new frame rates and manual audio levels extends those possibilities even further – allowing movie makers to shoot stunning movies to suit practically any creative purpose.

Extreme sports photographer Richard Walch was one of the first to be given the chance to use the newly updated EOS 5D Mark II to shoot the snowboarding movie “I Love My Friends”. Commenting on the EOS 5D Mark II’s video performance, Richard said: “The addition of the new frame rates opens up a whole new range of possibilities. If you’re a cinematographer, independent film maker or just enthusiastic about making your own movies, get out there and give it a try”.

 

The download will be available from here

50 comments

  1. Nice to the audio issues will be addressed as well. Wonder how soon the manual audio functions will be available for the 7D.

    Yep, just getting greedy. :>

  3. This is great news for people who own the 5D. All Canon HDSLR owners need to petition Canon to make sure these same features get added to the 7D, The 1DMKIV and maybe even the T2i. Birns and Sawyer is Supposedly holding a showcase event with Canon’s Tim Smith in Los Angeles on March 16th (also rumored date of firmware release) If you are planning to attend, please let Tim Smith know how important these updates are to you and your camera. I love how they string people along to keep sales going, and because 5DII sales have no doubt slumped they’ve decided that March is the time for Release.

    It’s funny to see how it has taken them well over a year to respond to customer requests (but good that they did) – I shot the world’s first feature length film using the 5DII in January/February of 2009, and yet Tim Smith, nor anyone at Canon has shown me any consideration or respect despite the wealth of creative and technical information I have offered them.

    Not even Phil Bloom or Vincent LaForet appears to have received a pre-release firmware… I would have to blame Canon USA, as it seems they are the Slow Stepchild of this multinational corporation.

    At Creatasphere HDExpo last month the Canon Reps acted like they hadn’t even heard of the Rebel T2i but were still plugging away trying to sell Newbies on the 5DMark II – meanwhile Canon Europe already had sample clips up for viewing on youtube for nearly a week. Way to Go Canon USA! That’s the American Spirit!

  4. Awesome! This is one great news for all Mark II owners who still sticked to it when 7D came out. 😉 Is there a sample video yet somewhere (24p)?

  6. This is super exciting. I’ve been trying to decide between the T2i, 7D and 5D for a long time and the 30p and 44.1 were keeping me from buying the 5D. The full frame of the 5D is just incredible. If you want 60p as well, it makes sense to also buy a T2i, if you can swing it, and then you have a 2nd body as well. Really glad Canon is finally releasing this update. Thanks for the write-up!

  8. Very exciting stuff! I wonder if they were quiet about the actual release date for so long (sticking with the ambiguous “first half” thing) while they were seeing if they could implement the audio features.

  11. Yes, it’s great that they are also working on the audio. Thinking of getting a second 5D but then still need a slow-mo solution – probably new 550 as ‘backup’. Wonder if 5D hardware will be updated this fall for photokina.

  16. For sound control, magic lantern have made a good work already. Canon can copy/paste this part of the source code…
    In middle of March, the Canon web server will be crash because to much downlads…

  18. Great news. Thank you, Phillip! You are always my first port of call for news. And you never fail.

    I wonder if the long delay in getting this update out was down to the engineers trying to get some safe viable solution to the 60fps problem – ie over heating of this big sensor?

    A big leap forward, though, but!!

  20. Yay finally.

    My new 550D will dull the pain of no 60p. The new sound features are a bit of a bonus.

    It doesn’t say whether the sample frequency is selectable. Is this going to cause an issue mixing footage again just as we get the frame rate mismatch sorted? My Zoom R16 also records at 44.1KHz.

  22. Philip, I have been swept up in the Video DSLR revolution, am on the brinks of purchasing an entire system when some cinematographer I know burst my bubble. His claim is that this format is going to be wiped out within a year. He says there are too many problems (rolling shutter, H.264, etc.) and it’s not worth investing in. Only a cynic or some truth to this? On the other hand, if I need a great camera with interchangeable lenses NOW then what other options are there at this price range? Would love your feedback on the cynics. Thanks! Daniella

  23. Help me understand. Why is shooting in 23.976 and 29.97 so important over non-drop framerates? Is there something important other than possible distribution for broadcast TV? Because honestly most of what I shoot is web-based and progressive.

  24. I have to be honest. I’m disappointed with the lack of 60fps. Any idea why it is not included? People are saying the hardware can’t handle it. If this is true than the 5DMKII will obviously never have beautiful slow-mo.

    I gotta admit, as great as 24 fps is, it is not as visually stunning as 60fps overcrank. All of us tech types will appreciate the 24fps but my audience probably wont.

    Now if I had some delicious slow-mo….

  25. Manual sound control is now a must for the 7D and T2i. By omitting that, they would be dropping the ball just as much as they did by leaving out the frame rates from the 5D in the first place.

  26. so does this now put the 5d ahead of the 7d when it comes to video capabilities? the 60p on the 7d makes it a borderline issue for me.

    if you had to choose now, would you go full frame over 60p?

    has anyone played around with twixtor much? its a bit pricey.

  30. Great news indeed. Now I want to know how many 7D’s will hit the market with people wnating to go for a 5D that finally does 24 and 25 FPS.

      2. Sweet! Cant wait!
        Its a bit late and a bit limited but glad to be able to shoot native 24 and save time with all the conversion, and be able to capture more in frame. Lets hope it does not over heat a-la 7D or 2ti style lately.

        Looking forward to seeing a lot more of your work since I take you will be using it a lot more now?

        Also will you be doing an updated DVD on the new features and what not?
        Ill buy the update disk.

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