New EOS RP Firmware update program triggered randomly, bricks camera

[behnkejh]

I received a new,  much-anticipated EOS RP as a Christmas gift. 

The first time that I turned the camera on, it immediately displayed this message:

There was no option to cancel out of this; the camera is completely inoperative while in this state, and even turning camera off  didn't work (the only way to turn the camera off was to remove the battery).

I was able to follow the instructions from the Canon web site, download the latest 1.4 firmware to an SD card, and update the firmware.  The camera then seemed to work fine and I was happily taking photos.  I was able to turn the camera off and on with no problem without getting this message.

The next morning, I turned the camera on and the message appeared again.  Again, I was unable to cancel out of the request, the camera was completely inoperative, and I had to remove the battery to turn it off.  Replacing the battery simply caused the firmWARE update request to re-appear.  

I updated the firmware for a second time and the camera again worked fine for a few hours; IIwas able to take Xmas morning photos and was shooting all day.    Note that when updating the firmware for the second time, the camera stated that I was updating from version 1.4 to version 1.4; the most current firmware was already loaded on the camera and I was just overwriting it.

The message appeared a third time, again after simply turning the camera on. Again, there was no way to refuse to update the firmware and the camera was completely inoperative.  This time, I believe that I just swapped out the battery or opened / shut the battery door and the camera turned on normally.

I turned on my camera again this am and, again, I was prompted to update the firmware and my camera is now completely operative.  I've swapped out both batteries and several cards, but each time I try to turn the camera on the same message appears w/ no functionality.

The only similar issues that I could find on the Web / Canon support were some users describing similar problems that they had with a 70D and 6D:

https://www.pixellicious.com/canon-firmware-update-program-error/

Canon Community article:

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS/70D-frozen-on-quot-Firmware-update-program-quot-Update-file/t...

https://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=15285.0

Again...this message requesting (demanding?) that I update the firmware appeared the very first time that I turned the camera on and gave my no option to refuse / cancel out.  I've already updated the firmware twice and don't want to do so again.  I could fix the issue most likely by just updating the firmware again, but obviously having a brand-new camera randomly fail / ask for a firmware update in the middle of a photo shoot is completely unacceptable.

Has anyone experienced similar problems with firmware / the EOS RP?  Why would the camera's firmware update program be randomly triggered when the latest firmware is already installed?  

I'll try to contact Canon technical support today, but my instinct at this point is that this unit may be a "lemon" and that I should exchange it at the store for another EOS RP that actually turns on without requiring a firmware update.

Thoughts?  Any information appreciated.

-Jim

[RobertTheFat]

It does sound as though there's something wrong and that your proposed action items are the correct ones. I assume you bought the camera from an authorized Canon dealer. Otherwise, things could be more complicated.

[behnkejh]

Thanks for the quick reply...I've already spoken to the store, am planning a Monday trip to B and H in NYC to exchange. 

The problem with this issue is that they might offer to just update the firmware, in which case the camera will likely work just fine as before...but for how long?  Given the random nature of the failures, I'll never be confident that the issue won' re-occur.  I've never had any issue of this kind with the two Rebel cameras that I've owned.

Thanks again!

[Waddizzle]

After you did the firmware update, did you delete it from the card.  I immediately reformat the card after an update.

[behnkejh]

I deleted the firmware update from the card after performing the update / before using it in the camera again.  Note that the first time that I turned the camera on I was using a brand new SD card...

[Waddizzle]

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@behnkejh wrote:

I deleted the firmware update from the card after performing the update / before using it in the camera again.  Note that the first time that I turned the camera on I was using a brand new SD card...

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Did you format the new SD card, which I assume was full size SD card.

[behnkejh]

Prior to inserting it into the camera the first time?  No...95% sure that I inserted it out of the package...

[Waddizzle]

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@behnkejh wrote:

Prior to inserting it into the camera the first time?  No...95% sure that I inserted it out of the package...

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SD cards should always be formatted, preferably in the camera, prior to first use.  I think you need to contact Canon Support.

[RobertTheFat]

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@behnkejh wrote:

Thanks for the quick reply...I've already spoken to the store, am planning a Monday trip to B and H in NYC to exchange. 

The problem with this issue is that they might offer to just update the firmware, in which case the camera will likely work just fine as before...but for how long?  Given the random nature of the failures, I'll never be confident that the issue won' re-occur.  I've never had any issue of this kind with the two Rebel cameras that I've owned.

Thanks again!

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It would be unlike B&H to handle it that way. If you ask for an exchange, my bet is that they'll give it to you.

[ebiggs1]

"Why would the camera's firmware update program be randomly triggered when the latest firmware is already installed?"

Why? It easy, there is something wrong with the camera.  B&H will make it right, I have no doubt.

It is not likely the fault with the SD card or the fact you didn't pre-format it. However, sometimes unpredictable issues may occur during data read/write if you try to use an unformatted SD card.  Perhaps you might try to format it on your Windows computer and see if the camera now works.