Canon has introduced a new compression method defined as RAW Light on its new firmware update (1.3.0). The RAW Light is implemented on the Canon EOS R5 and EOS 1D X Mark III and can reduce the file size by more than 30% compared to the original RAW.
Canon Firmware Version 1.3.0: More options for filmmakers
The new firmware (1.3.0) was announced a few days ago, focuses on adding more options for filmmakers. The main features of the upgrade are the RAW (Light) compression method and Canon Log 3 profile which allows enhancing the dynamic range (as claimed by Canon). Read the release notes regarding the Canon EOS R5:
- Adds [Canon Log 3] to [Canon Log settings]. You can select [Canon Log] or [Canon Log 3] from [Canon Log settings] in the Shooting tab of the menu.
- Support for RAW movies shot with Canon Log3 and RAW (Light) will be available in Cinema RAW Development and in the Digital Photo Professional version in a future update.
- Digital Photo Professional will also support the processing of RAW movies shot in Canon Log3 settings and the application of Viewing LUT in future update.
- Adds [RAW (Light)] to the movie recording size and [IPB (Light)] to 8K/4K to enable lower bit rate shooting. These settings can also be selected when RAW+MP4 is set.
- Adds a high frame rate of 119.9 fps/100.0 fps to the Full HD movie recording size.
- Adds [Electronic full-time MF] to the AF tab of the menu. When a lens is attached, manual focus adjustment is always possible with both One-shot AF and Servo AF.
- Adds [6: Monitor Off] to [Shooting info. disp.: Screen info. settings] in the Shooting tab of the menu. This update makes it possible for the camera’s monitor to be turned off at all times during shooting.
- The transfer time (estimated value) now displays on the camera monitor during FTP transfer.
- Adds the ability, when transferring images via FTP, to select protected images that failed to be transferred and protected images that have not yet been transferred and transfer them all at once.
- Adds [Save/load cam settings on card] to the Function settings tab of the menu. This allows you to save the camera settings to a card, or load a saved file and restore the camera to the settings you saved to a card.
- Fixes a phenomenon, in which, in rare instances, the camera does not function normally when using certain CFexpress cards.
- Fixes a phenomenon, in which in rare instances, the camera cannot function normally when the drive mode is set to “High-speed continuous shooting” to shoot still images continuously.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which the power may become suspended when the camera is powered via USB for an extended period of time.
Canon RAW (Light)
The Canon RAW (Light) is a new RAW by Canon (not to be confused with the known Cinema RAW Light implemented on Cinema EOS cameras) which offers a better compression/bitrate ratio. The original RAW of the Canon EOS R5 is a very heavy codec that eats your memory card. Thus, Canon has introduced a “Light” version of it. The RAW (Light) is available on the EOS R5 and EOS 1D X Mark III cameras only (for now). For instance, when recording 8K on the EOS R5, in RAW mode the bitrate is 2,600 Mbps vs 1,700 Mbps in the RAW (Light). That’s more than 210 MB/s which is very high, but still a lot more forgiving than 325 MB/s compared to the original RAW. The math shows a delta of more than 30% percent which is a significant reduction in file size.
Final thoughts
The new RAW (Light) introduced by Canon and executed on the EOS R5 and EOS 1D X Mark III allows the privilege of shooting RAW with some mercy on the memory card. There’s a possibility that Canon is testing the RAW (Light) to replace the initial RAW which is quite heavy and hasn’t been widely used by filmmakers due to the heavy file sizes produced.
What do you think about the new RAW? Comment below.
Hello, I own a Canon R5 and I am very interested in this new Canon Raw (Light) feature. I am doing mostly still photography and I am wondering, for astro, pano and low light situations, if you believe that this compression might affect the image quality or dynamic range of the ral file? And if this compression solution is only available for video or also for still images?
Thanks in advance.
Andrea
The RAW (Light) is relevant for videos.
Hi Yossy, What is the difference between Canon log and Canon log 3?
Hi Eran,
Canon Log is Log curve built into previous Cinema EOS and other select cameras like the C100, C300, 1D C, and XC10. Canon Log is an 8-bit curve that produces roughly 13.5 Stops of dynamic range in the EOS C300 Mark II.
Canon Log 2 is a 10-bit curve designed specially for the EOS C300 Mark II to deliver 15 stops of dynamic range. Canon Log 2 traditionally requires heavy grading in post production.
Canon Log 3 is a secondary 10-bit curve raises the black point to produce cleaner shadows much like Canon Log, while still maintaining the pleasing highlight roll off and dynamic range of Canon Log 2.
What about the new recording times for the 1dx mark iii? This whole article was only about the R5. The previous recording limits with standard raw where 35min for 24p and 24min for 60p on the 1dx mark iii on a 512gb card. How is it now with raw light?