GPS inaccuracy on EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS 6D Mark II

[kriscowling]

Hi folks,

Over the past few months I have noticed that when I upload photos to webpages that show map locations of my photos, based on the GPS readings in the EXIF data, the locations are increasingly inaccurate.  The same occurs when I literally copy-and-past the EXIF Lat/Long data into Google maps.  The locations indicated on the maps are sometimes several hundred feet away from where I know the photo was taken.

The distances and directions of the errors are not consistent.  Both cameras’ GPS Position Update Intervals are set to update every second.  The 5D Mk IV is on Firmware version 1.4.0 and the 6D Mk II is on Firmware version 1.2.0.  I believe both of these versions are up-to-date.

I realize that these are “old” cameras but I guess I still expect that the GPS readings would be correct.  Other people rely on the accuracy of my photo location data and being off by several hundred feet can create great frustration.

Has anyone else experienced this, or can anyone else explain what might have happened and how/if I can fix the issue to get back to having reliably accurate GPS EXIF data?

Thank you very much!

[kriscowling]

Thanks for the video link, Tom.  It’s a really nicely done tutorial video.  None of the information was new to me but it’s great to see that such tutorial videos exist in the Canon support system as a resource for answering questions.  Thanks again!

[shadowsports]

Just to add.  I used GPS mode 2, so my GPS was only active when the camera was powered on.  I always got signal acquisition in under a minute.  I used this mode to conserve battery.  

[kriscowling]

I use Mode 2, also.  Although I usually have the GPS disabled and I only enable it when I need the GPS data to be included in the EXIF data.  Thanks, Rick, for confirming my assumption that Mode 2 would be best for battery life!

[Waddizzle]

“ Anyway, something has changed because these cameras used to be extremely accurate.  Maybe it’s something in how the GPS satellites function. “

John raised a very good point about civilian GPS compared to a military GPS.  It was changed.

I had a Garmin GPS in my vehicle in the early 2000s.  I recall having to update the firmware because signal reception was being changed. The change was made to prevent rogue nations from using GPS data in guided missiles.

Not only was delay added in initially acquiring a GPS lock, if the receiver was moving faster than a certain speed, then no GPS lock was possible. 

[kriscowling]

Thank you very much for the input!  It’s only been over the past several months that I’ve noticed the change to the accuracy.  I would think that if the GPS satellite signals being transmitted had changed that recently, everyone would be experiencing something similar.  Perhaps what has changed is the environment in which I am relying on GPS, sometimes under cover of a tree canopy or near cell towers and power transmission lines.  Thank you again for replying!

[jrhoffman75]

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@Waddizzle wrote:

“ Anyway, something has changed because these cameras used to be extremely accurate.  Maybe it’s something in how the GPS satellites function. “

John raised a very good point about civilian GPS compared to a military GPS.  It was changed.

I had a Garmin GPS in my vehicle in the early 2000s.  I recall having to update the firmware because signal reception was being changed. The change was made to prevent rogue nations from using GPS data in guided missiles.

Not only was delay added in initially acquiring a GPS lock, if the receiver was moving faster than a certain speed, then no GPS lock was possible. 

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I remember that. My Garmin eTrex wouldn't capture a location when I was in a plane.