Canon EOS C300 Mark III and C500 Mark II Firmware Updates Released

Firmware Update

by Jakub HanOctober 24^th, 2022

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Canon EOS C300 Mark III and C500 Mark II cameras got new free firmware updates bringing support for the new Canon EU-V3 expansion unit, new display options when used with the new full-frame Canon cinema zoom lens, the CN-E 45-135mm T2.4, new LUTs, new AF features, additional commands for Canon IP (XC protocol) and more.

Both EOS cinema cameras from Canon have already gotten a few firmware updates in the past. The full-frame Canon C500 Mark II (announced back in 2019, here is our lab test) and the Super35 Canon C300 Mark III (announced in 2020, here is our lab test) both still feature Canon’s “older” SLR lens mount – the EF mount.

I wonder when the company will refresh these higher-end production cameras with the new mirrorless mount. Meanwhile, both cameras recently got another new firmware update – let’s take a brief look at what is new.

Canon EOS C300 Mark III and C500 Mark II firmware updates

The new features and improvements contained in this recent firmware update are almost identical for both cameras. They both get support for the new Canon EU-V3 expansion unit, new display options when used with the new full-frame Canon cinema zoom lens, the CN-E 45-135mm T2.4, new LUTs, new AF features, additional commands for Canon IP (XC protocol) and more.

While the Canon EOS C300 Mark III gets an update to version 1.0.4.1, the full-frame C500 Mark II gets an update to version 1.0.6.1. The full list of the new updates for the C300 Mark III (1.0.4.1) contains the following enhancements:

1. Adds support for EU-V3 Expansion Unit 3
2. Adds Focus Position Guide feature
3. Adds support for additional commands for Canon IP [XC Protocol]
4. The following features are enabled when the following lenses are attached: CN8×15 IAS S/E1, CN8×15 IAS S/P1, CN-E45-135mm T2.4 L F, CN-E45-135mm T2.4 L FP
   • Displaying metadata, such as the model name and the focal distance of the lens attached.
   • Displaying T number
   • Support for Peripheral Illumination Correction and Chromatic Lens Aberration Correction.(EF only)
   • Support for [Dual Pixel Focus Guide] (EF only)
5. Enables face detection and tracking when S&F shooting frame rate is set from 24 to 120 frames per second
6. Adds support for 4CH display in audio meter
7. Improves the retention of the recording settings when switching between normal shooting and S&F shooting
8. Adds [Canon 709 / BT.709] to the Gamma/Color Space in Custom Picture setting
9. Adds [CMT 709] in LUT and Sub Rec Color Conversion
10. Adds [G Gain] in White Balance in Custom Picture settings
11. Adds support for the CFExpress VPG 400 (Video Performance Guarantee)
12. Fixes minor issues when using the CINE-SERVO lens

The firmware update to version 1.0.6.1 for the Canon EOS C500 Mark II contains all the enhancements from the above-mentioned update plus one more update:

• Enables AF when S&F shooting frame rate is set to 24/25/30/48/50/60/100/120 frames per second.

It is good to know that, according to Canon, the firmware version can’t be restored to a previous version, once updated.

Price and availability

Both firmware updates are available free of charge directly from the Canon support website – here for the C300 Mark III and here for the C500 Mark II.

The cameras currently retail for $10,999 (C300 Mark III) and $15,999 (C500 Mark II).

Do you use any of the mentioned Canon cinema cameras? What do you think about the recent firmware update? Let us know in the comments section underneath the article.