Canon Drops R1 + R5 Mark II Firmware 1.3.0: Better AF, More Customization, and a New Speedlite to Match
Canon just pushed firmware v1.3.0 for the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II today, and honestly, this is the kind of update that makes me feel a bit better about paying flagship prices. The two cameras get meaningful autofocus refinements, new button customization options, and a few workflow tweaks that pro sports and news shooters have been screaming about since launch. The R1 also gets a brand-new Speedlite EL-1 V2 to round out the kit.
Let me break down what's actually useful.
AF improvements — small but real
The R1 and R5 II both use Canon's Dual Pixel Intelligent AF system, and the v1.3.0 update refines subject detection in challenging lighting and tightens tracking for smaller subjects. From the testing I've seen on DPReview TV (https://www.dpreview.com/videos/3112543853/dpreview-tv-canon-rf-100mm-f2-8-l-is-macro-review) and CineD's bench (https://www.cined.com/), the R1's AF was already top-tier for sports, but it had a soft spot for cluttered backgrounds and small distant subjects. This update targets exactly that.
If you're a wedding or sports shooter, this is the kind of thing that saves a few frames per shoot that you would have lost before. It's not a generation upgrade, but it's a real-world win.
Button customization: Airplane Mode shortcut
This is the small thing that I love. You can now bind a physical button to toggle Airplane Mode, which kills Wi-Fi/Bluetooth in one tap. For anyone who shoots in secure facilities — courts, government buildings, military bases, sports arenas with strict RF rules — this is genuinely useful. The previous workflow was diving into the menu every time. Now it's a button press.
Canon also added more granular customization options across both bodies, including the option to map more functions to the R1's vertical grip controls. If you shoot a lot of portrait-orientation work, you'll notice.
Exposure simulation with flash — finally
This one has been on the wishlist since the R5 II launched. Exposure simulation now works properly when a flash is mounted on the R1, R5 II, R3, R6 Mark II, and R8. Previously, the EVF would show ambient-light exposure and you'd have to take a test shot to check the flash contribution. Now you can see the final image in the viewfinder before you press the shutter.
For studio shooters this is a real time-saver. For event shooters who bounce on-camera flash, it's even more useful — you can actually see if your flash is overpowering the ambient before you take the shot.
IBIS + lens coordinated control (R5 II only)
The R5 Mark II gets a Coordinated Control IS update that works with newer RF lenses that have their own stabilization. The result is smoother handheld video, especially for long telephoto shots. Canon claims up to 8.5 stops of combined IS in some configurations. I haven't been able to verify that in the field yet, but the marketing matches what DPReview measured in their earlier R5 II long-term review.
Improved Servo AF while zooming
For the R3 and R6 Mark II (yes, the older R6 II also got the update), Canon improved Servo AF performance when zooming during continuous shooting. If you shoot a 24-70mm f/2.8 on a gimbal and zoom during a video clip, the AF should hold focus better throughout the zoom range. Small improvement, big quality-of-life boost for hybrid shooters.
The new Speedlite EL-1 V2
To go with the firmware, Canon launched the Speedlite EL-1 V2 — the successor to the original EL-1 from 2020. Key upgrades:
- Faster recycle times (Canon claims a 30% improvement)
- Longer continuous flash bursts
- Dual radio + optical wireless triggering
- Built-in bi-color LED modeling light
- Better heat management for long events
The bi-color LED is the standout feature for product and food photographers — you can preview the flash color temperature on the subject without firing the flash. It's a small touch that should have been standard years ago.
Should you update?
Yes, for both cameras. The R1 and R5 II are flagship bodies at flagship prices; firmware updates like this are part of what you're paying for. Pro shooters should update between jobs, not mid-assignment, but there's nothing in the changelog that looks risky.
If you're a hobbyist with an R5 II or R1, the AF improvements alone are worth the 10 minutes it takes to download and install. Just make sure your battery is fully charged and don't update right before a paid shoot.
The Speedlite EL-1 V2 is a separate purchase (price TBD, expect around $1,099 USD) and is worth considering if you're still on the original EL-1 or the older 600EX II-RT.
---
*For the full changelog and download links, head to Canon Europe's support page (https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer/products/cameras/eos/) and DPReview's coverage (https://www.dpreview.com/news/6850004575/canon-is-updating-one-of-the-flagship-features-of-its-high-end-cameras).*
