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When we first reviewed the Canon EOS R1, our biggest gripe with the camera was that it felt like a camera that could’ve and maybe should’ve just been a firmware update to the EOS R3. There were very few notable differences between the two camera bodies, and then, while testing the camera during an actual sports event, we noticed a serious issue with the camera – it could not distinguish between people and a volleyball net. A serious flaw for a camera that includes a specific AF setting for Volleyball. As of July 2025, Canon pushed a new firmware update that includes a number of fixes and one that directly addresses the issue with its subject detection errors. Did Canon get it right this time?
For our review update of the Canon EOS R1, we tested the R1 with Canon’s RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, both of which are on loan from LensRentals.com. We also tested the camera with the Canon RF35mm F1.8 STM Macro and the RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM, which are on long-term loan from Canon.
The Biggest Changes in Firmware Version 1.1.2
In July 2025, Canon released the latest firmware for the Canon EOS R1, primarily addressing security features that became a part of the EU’s RED standard. We went at length as to what was required and how Canon addressed these requirements in our Canon EOS R5 Mark I update from September, but the short version, as it pertains to the Canon EOS R1, is that those security updates have been incorporated in the R1 as well. Outside of regulatory compliance, the R1 received several updates that address many user-reported issues, including stability-related issues when using the camera in silent shutter mode, continuous high-speed shooting, or when transferring files over Bluetooth. During our initial testing, we didn’t encounter any of these issues, and in our most current round of testing, we found no issues with transferring files over Bluetooth.
A Crucial Update: Does Volleyball Sport Mode Actually Work?
While all the above might be well and good, that’s not really why you’re here. If you recall, in our initial review of the EOS R1, we took the camera to task for failing to do one core thing: it could not distinguish between light- and dark-skin tones and a volleyball net. This was extremely perplexing since the R1 has a sports AF mode dedicated to volleyball – it should at the very least be able to accurately select a subject and not default to the net.
With this latest update, I’m very pleased to report that the issues with Canon’s Sports Priority – the Volleyball setting appears to have been resolved. At a recent pre-season volleyball game, I put the camera through its paces – shooting in Continuous High-Speed + and making full use of Canon’s Volleyball AF setting. I used both the Canon RF24-105 F2.8L IS USM Z and the RF70-200 F2.8L IS USM throughout the event and found that each was able to accurately and dependably find its intended subject, even when panning or behind the net. Below is a series of unedited images taken at a recent volleyball tournament:
I’m glad that Canon made the necessary changes and I’m sure sports photographers will appreciate the improvements.
Additional Updates for Photographers
While most photographers may not be impacted by the following changes, it is important to note that they have been added, fixed, or improved upon – specifically for the intended operator of this camera, sports photographers. The Canon EOS R1 is a professional sports photography camera, and as such, it should have features that make remote operation easier. One of these updates includes the ability to register focus positions as a preset when using the Robotic Camera System. Another welcome update for sports photographers will be a fix to an error some users encountered when shooting in “high-speed continuous shooting+.” Lastly, with this latest firmware update, the EOS R1 can now enable “Panning Assist” when paired with select lenses. This will allow you to capture panned shots with subject blur correction in-camera – a must for action sports. Sadly, there isn’t a compatibility chart, but for now, your best bet will be to test with lenses that have optical stabilization, typically demarked with the “IS” label.
Does This Change Our Initial Opinion of the Canon EOS R1?
The most recent changes to the Canon EOS R1 bring multiple improvements to the camera, especially those changes to its autofocusing abilities. It’s still a camera that largely feels like an incremental upgrade over the Canon EOS R3, which it replaced as the flagship model. There is still no doubt that the Canon R1 is a beast of a camera that’s designed for sports photography, but with options like the Sony a9 or Nikon Z9 available, you still have to be committed to the Canon system to truly appreciate what the R1 delivers.
