New EOS 7D DSLR Firmware Extends Burst Significantly

Canon has announced new firmware for its EOS 7D. The new 2.0 version increases the burst length for raw files and allows for in-camera post-processing of these files. GPS support has also been added.

The announced firmware v2.0 update for the EOS 7D DSLR increases the camera’s burst length from fifteen to twenty-five raw images. The buffer ceiling for jpeg files has also been increased to 130 photos. Canon says it has achieved this by applying improved memory management algorithms it has developed for the new EOS 1D X series. The EOS 7D, the current flagship of Canon’s aps-c DSLR line and announced in 2009, can shoot up to eight 18MP images per second.

In addition to increasing the buffer depth for raw files, the update adds the ability to edit raw files in-camera. For example, the white balance can be adjusted, and the Picture Style mode and parameters can be set as sharpness. Also, things related to the lens, such as vignetting, distortion and chromatic aberrations, can be corrected in the camera after the shots. The edited raw files are written as new jpeg files. In addition, jpeg files can be reduced in size.

Canon is adding with the firmware update the ability to set the maximum ISO value when using the auto ISO functionality to any value between ISO 400 and ISO 6400. The latter is the maximum native ISO value of the camera . Furthermore, with the update, Canon adds the possibility to record 16-bit audio with a sampling frequency of 48KHz with video, while manually choosing the audio level.

The latest addition is support for Canon’s new GP-E2 GPS receiver. The company plans to roll out the new firmware in August.

Update, 13:40: The term ‘burstrate’ has been replaced by the ‘length of the burst’.