Canon has just released the new 1.2.1 firmware update for the Canon 5D Mark III system. While fixing a decently-sized list of bugs, the update also provides two hard-hitting features for the cinematographer and photographer alike. You can click here to skip straight to Canon’s US website to download the firmware or read on for more info about this important update!
Uncompressed HDMI Output
This free firmware update now allows sending clean, uncompressed HDMI Output (YCbCr 4:2:2 8-bit) to an external recorder through the camera’s HDMI terminal, meaning higher quality video with minimal image degradation. Another nice benefit of this is real-time, on-site HD video monitoring while shooting.
Improved AF Performance
Another big feature stepping forward in this firmware update is Cross-Type AutoFocus Support when the maximum aperture becomes as small as f/8. 
This will greatly benefit those who use Canon EF super-telephoto lenses with extenders. When activated, the four AF points surrounding the center act as AF Assist points with the points above & below the center looking for vertical contrast, the left & right points looking for horizontal. Bottom line: this helps by expanding the size of the AF detection area, greatly helping when subjects are smaller in the viewfinder making them easier to track. Efficiency. Accuracy. Boom.
Here is a list of Canon lenses that currently support this new feature on the 5D Mark III:
| With Extender EF 1.4x (I, II or III) |
With Extender EF 2x (I, II or III) |
| EF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6L IS USM* |
EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM* |
| EF 400mm f/5.6L USM* |
EF 300mm f/4L IS USM* |
| EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM* |
EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM* |
| EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM |
EF 500mm f/4L IS USM* |
| EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM |
EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM* |
| EF 70–200mm f/2.8L USM |
EF 600mm f/4L IS USM* |
| EF 70–200mm f/4L USM |
EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM* |
| EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM |
EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM |
| EF 135mm f/2L USM |
EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM |
| EF 200mm f/2L IS USM |
EF 70–200mm f/2.8L USM |
| EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM |
EF 135mm f/2L USM |
| EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM |
EF 200mm f/2L IS USM |
| EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM |
EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM |
| EF 300mm f/4L IS USM |
EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM |
| EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM |
EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM |
| EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM |
EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM |
| EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM |
EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM |
| EF 500mm f/4L IS USM |
|
| EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM |
|
| EF 600mm f/4L IS USM |
|
| EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM |
|
All in all, it seems like a solid firmware update that fixes some bugs and provides some extremely useful features that many photographers and cinematographers have been asking for. As always, if you have any questions regarding this update, don’t hesitate to call us at 877.217.9870 or email us at tech@captureintegration.com.
For your convenience, you can click here to go to Canon’s US website to grab the firmware and try it for yourself!