2nd Gen Wireless Tethering for Canon

Starting from version 16.8, you can now shoot cable-free with supported Canon cameras and work with a fully editable RAW file dramatically faster than before. Traditional wireless tethering can take 10 to 25 seconds per RAW file. With the new high-speed wireless solution in Capture One, images can appear in as little as one to two seconds, depending on network conditions.

This feature is designed for fast-paced tethered workflows where speed, reliability, and full RAW editing flexibility are essential.

Contents

• How 2nd generation wireless tethering works
• Compatibility
• What is a smaller RAW file?
  • Smaller RAW file signifier
• How to use 2nd generation wireless tethering
• General recommendations
  • Router security
  • Battery usage
• Maximizing performance
• FAQ
• Additional information

How 2nd generation wireless tethering works

When you capture an image, supported Canon cameras send a smaller RAW file over Wi‑Fi immediately after capture. This file appears in Capture One within seconds and is fully editable from the moment it arrives.

While you work, the full-resolution RAW file transfers in the background in chunks. This background transfer does not block new captures. Once complete, Capture One automatically reconciles the files, replacing the smaller RAW file with the full-resolution version without interrupting your workflow.

If the wireless connection drops, Capture One reconnects automatically. ReTether has been extended to support wireless tethering workflows, improving recovery from interruptions and ensuring transfers continue cleanly.

Compatibility

• Supported cameras: Canon EOS R5 Mark II, Canon EOS R1
• Capture One 16.8 or higher

What is a smaller RAW file?

A smaller RAW file is a lower-resolution RAW file generated by the camera and sent to Capture One immediately after capture. It is a real RAW file, not a JPEG preview.

You can edit it straight away using masks, crops, styles, AI tools, and all other editing tools. Any edits you apply are preserved and automatically carried over to the full-resolution RAW file once it finishes transferring.

When the full-resolution RAW file arrives, it replaces the smaller RAW file on disk. No action is required from you, and your edits remain intact.

If a full-resolution RAW file transfer cannot be completed, the smaller RAW file remains fully usable and exportable, although with smaller dimensions.

Smaller RAW file signifier

While an image is still represented by a smaller RAW file, a small signifier appears on its thumbnail in the Browser. This signifier disappears automatically once the full-resolution RAW file has finished transferring.

The signifier is informational only and allows you to see at a glance which images are still waiting for their full-resolution data.

If a full-resolution RAW file transfer fails permanently—for example, due to a long disconnection or the camera battery running out before the transfer queue clears—the signifier remains visible. In this case, the smaller RAW file stays fully usable and exportable.

The full-resolution RAW file will still be available on the camera’s memory card and can be imported manually later. However, it will not automatically replace the smaller RAW file in this scenario.

How to use 2nd generation wireless tethering

1. Connect your supported Canon camera wirelessly using the standard Canon wireless tethering workflow.
2. Ensure a memory card is inserted in the camera.
3. Once connected, second-generation wireless tethering is enabled automatically.

4. Optionally, you can toggle the setting under Camera Settings>Wireless Mode>Fast. Switching to Standard brings back the regular wireless mode.

   

5. Start shooting and begin editing images immediately as they appear.

This feature builds on existing wireless tethering functionality. Refer to the Canon wireless tethering setup article for connection instructions.

General recommendations

For the best experience when using second-generation wireless tethering with Canon cameras, follow these general setup recommendations.

• Use C-RAW when possible: C-RAW files transfer faster than standard RAW files.
• Use a dedicated router: A dedicated router is strongly recommended for tethering. For best results, use a router that supports Wi‑Fi 7, ideally on the 6 GHz band, to reduce interference and maximize transfer speeds.
• Connect the computer via Ethernet: A wired Ethernet connection between the router and computer provides the most stable performance, although wireless connections are also supported.
• Use a fast memory card: Memory card choice affects transfer speed. High‑performance CFexpress cards are generally faster than SD cards for both smaller RAW and full‑resolution RAW files.
• Use the recommended preview size: Preview size has a direct impact on rendering speed. Using the recommended preview size provides the best balance between image quality and performance.

Router security

Router security settings can influence wireless tethering performance, particularly with some camera models. For the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, improved performance has been observed in certain setups when the router is configured to use WPA3-only security instead of mixed WPA2/WPA3 mode.

Where possible, we recommend using WPA3-only, as it may help reduce latency and improve transfer reliability. If WPA3-only is not available, mixed security modes are supported, but performance may be reduced.

Battery usage

Battery consumption when using 2nd Gen Wireless Tethering for Canon is comparable to standard wireless tethering. No additional or unusual battery drain should be expected when using this feature.

Maximizing performance

2nd Gen Wireless Tethering for Canon is designed to be fast and responsive, but performance can vary depending on the camera, network, and capture settings. The recommendations below show which choices typically result in faster transfers and which can slow things down.

For the most consistent results, combine as many of the “Faster” options as possible. Wireless tethering will still work with “Slower” configurations, but transfer times and responsiveness may be reduced.

FAQ

Can I edit images before the full-resolution RAW file arrives?

Yes. The smaller RAW file is fully editable as soon as it appears in Capture One. All edits carry through automatically when the full-resolution RAW file replaces it.

What happens if the wireless connection drops?

Capture One reconnects automatically. ReTether has been enhanced to support wireless workflows and recover gracefully from interruptions.

What if the full-resolution RAW file never finishes transferring?

The smaller RAW file remains usable and exportable. The full-resolution RAW file can still be imported manually from the camera’s memory card.

Do I need to enable this mode manually?

No. Second-generation wireless tethering is enabled automatically when a supported Canon camera is connected wirelessly and a memory card is present. It can also be toggled in the Camera Settings tool menu.

Additional information

Capture One's 2nd Gen Wireless Tethering technology, including the preview-first RAW transfer and seamless preview-to-full-quality workflow described above, is the subject of pending patent applications.