New Security Enhancement Being Rolled Out Via Firmware - Power On Password

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Canon has begun to implement a new [optional] security feature.  This is being introduced with new firmware.  This password protection is to meet new European Union regulations under the Radio Equipment Directive. The rollout is staggered.

Compatible EOS R Cameras (this is subject to change)
EOS R1
EOS R3
EOS R5 Mark II
EOS R5
EOS R6 Mark II
EOS R7
EOS R8
EOS R10
EOS R50
EOS R50V

Information about the feature is available below (example R50v).  The process will be the same for any body that receives the feature via firmware that includes the enhancement.

See Setting A Password in the link below.

https://cam.start.canon/en/C021/manual/html/UG-01_Preparations_0050.html#Preparations_0050_5

You  can check if a new firmware version includes the enhancement by reading the release notes.  See more download info.

Improves security features. A password must be set initially.
•Adds the ability to review the history of any changes made to the password, network information, or other settings.
*For more information, please refer to the 'Setting a Password' section in the Advanced User Guide on cam.start.canon.

Note that firmware updates are cumulative so once you install at minimum a version that includes the enhancement, it will be present moving forward. 

Please note that using this feature is optional. After setting a PIN you can opt out of using the feature which means you will not have to enter a password to use the camera when it is turned on or resumes from sleep.  

Select do not ask again to disable the feature.

[shadowsports]

It was for tax.  This way they could designate (define) a camera versus a camcorder.  The recording limit designated the device as a camera.  

[March411]

Amazing, I learn something new every day here but I hope I'm not alone when I say that makes very little sense.

So at 30 minutes it magically turns into a camcorder 😁  

Thanks Rick!

[justadude]

"It was for tax.  This way they could designate (define) a camera versus a camcorder.  The recording limit designated the device as a camera."

This is similar in some ways to my DJI Mini2 drone.  By regulation, all drones under 250 grams do not need licensing (but you still have to pass the safety course)... so DJI made all of their Mini series of drones 249 grams.  😂

[March411]

Yep, I have the same drone Gary but pulled the trigger on the Mavic Air 2 and had to get my license and register. 

[shadowsports]

Here's a brief video from Rudy Winston regarding the new security feature.

[video]

[p4pictures]

Interesting how the password reset wipes the whole camera configuration out. I think this adds to my request for the ability to save camera config to a card for those current models that don’t already have it. Namely EOS R6 Mark II, R8, R7, R10, R50, R50V. 

[March411]

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@shadowsports wrote:

Interesting how the password reset wipes the whole camera configuration out. I think this adds to my request for the ability to save camera config to a card for those current models that don’t already have it. Namely EOS R6 Mark II, R8, R7, R10, R50, R50V.

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Agreed, the R6 MkII was the only body that I own that could not be backed up. I am not sure what the logic was when creating the firmware to allow it to reset the configurations.

[jrhoffman75]

Possibly because there may be personal in the copyright section. The purpose seems to be protecting personal info contained in the camera. 

[p4pictures]

On the EOS cameras there is a field known as Owners name, it is set with EOS Utility, and I know that in the past a full camera reset would not reset this field. It's not actually seen on the camera menu, but is saved in the image metadata. I'm quite interested to know if it will reset when the camera does the reset with this new security firmware. Just need to finish documenting all the custom settings on the EOS R6 Mark II before I do it to my camera!

[March411]

This was posted in the software forum but I thought this may be a good please to leave it too.

Canon worked quickly after the unsuccessful launch of v1.0.1 and released the updated version today.

Nicely done Canon, got this resolved in fairly short order. Direct link below to the Canon USA site to download the update.

EOS R5 Mark II Firmware Update, Version 1.1.1

The R1 was also released:

EOS R1 Firmware Update, Version 1.1.2