The Canon EOS R10 was released in 2022 so I apologise for the tardy delivery of this setting up advisory post. Having said that some of my setup guides for cameras more than ten years old still get plenty of page views. So I appreciate being appreciated.
Anyway, better late than never so here we go:
This guide is intended for users who are mainly interested in still photography and who like to take control of focus and exposure and make use of the many advanced capabilities of the camera.
Although the R10 is often billed as an entry level model it is actually a very capable all rounder for stills with static or moving subjects and it has extensive video capabilities not covered in this blog. I rate the R10 as more capable than professional level cameras of a past generation.
Purchase
Four years after introduction we can often find discount deals on new R10s. The camera is best purchased with either the RF-S 18-45mm or RF-S 18-150mm kit lenses. Both are very good.
We might find a good deal on a used copy but because the camera is very popular used prices tend to be quite high.
Carry bag
The R10 with RF-S 18-45mm lens attached fits perfectly into a Think Tank Mirrorless mover 10 carry bag with plenty of space for spare batteries, memory cards and cleaning cloths.
Lens protect filter
Some people fit one permanently, others claim the filter impairs image quality or AF performance. I mount a high quality protect filter on each of my lenses permanently and have never noticed a problem. It is much easier and safer to clean the filter than the front element of the lens, especially if it has accumulated salt spray or dirt.
Memory cards
The R10 can take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards UHS 2 level. UHS2 cards are easy to identify as they have two rows of contacts. UHS1 cards are still compatible. I generally use 64GB cards, one in the camera and one spare.
Batteries
The R10 and many other Canon cameras uses the LP-E17 battery. Original Canon versions last well in use and retain their power for a long time in storage. The camera comes with a separate charger, the LC-E17E. It can also be charged directly by USB-C. I carry at least one spare LP-E17 for a day out and about with the camera.
Remote controller
For no-touch operation of the camera such as on a tripod we can pair the camera with the Canon Camera Connect smartphone App and that works. But I find it a bit tedious to set up and not always reliable. So I generally just use the 2 second timer delay.
Advanced User Guide
Download and save the R10 Advanced User Guide PDF from a Canon website. At 920 pages this looks a bit daunting at first however it is logically designed and reasonably easy to follow with the camera in hand. I recommend reading at least the first 85 pages soon after receiving the camera. Fear not, there is not much material on each page so this will not take long.
Password
Information about this is on pages 56-57 of the User Guide and screen 6 of the yellow wrench menu. Note in particular the [Do not ask again] setting which allows us to set up the camera so a password is not required every time we turn it.
Neck strap
This comes in the box. Some people like to use it. Mine always stays in the box. I use a generic wrist strap instead. These are smaller, lighter, less intrusive and interfere less with camera operation.
Firmware
As at 26 May 2026 the latest firmware is 1.8.0. The procedure for updating firmware is well described in the information available on any Canon Regional website.
Logo blackout tape
People who want a camera that says “Look at me” might go for one of the Fujifilm models with lots of brightwork and bling, or the new Lumix L10 with the flashy “titanium” finish. But the R10 is styled for ergonomics not display. We can make it even less conspicuous by sticking black electrical tape over the white Canon and EOS R10 logos on the front of the camera.
Date time and time zone
The first time the camera is powered up it will prompt the user to set the time. Otherwise that is on the Yellow wrench menu, screen 1.
Viewfinder diopter
This is adjusted with the slider beneath the viewfinder eyepiece. Look at the camera data numerals, not the preview image when adjusting diopter.
My Menu, green, white star
We can copy any menu item to My Menu, but I find the only essential one is Format. I also copy Camera ISO speed settings to My Menu so I can adjust what minimum shutter speed the camera will use at any focal length setting when Auto ISO is set. Just follow the prompts on the My Menu screen.
Customize Buttons, Orange camera icon, Screen 3
Button function settings are very much a matter of individual preference. I offer my own settings as a possible starting point for further experiment.
* Shutter button half press: Metering and AF start
* Red dot Movie Button: Movie
* M-fn button: ISO
* AF-ON button: OFF, no function
* AE Lock button *: Quick Control Screen
* AF Point button: Magnify/reduce
* DOF Preview Button: DOF preview or OFF
* Lens func button (where relevant): AF Stop
* Cross keys, Up Down Left Right: Direct AF Point selection
* SET button: Return AF area to center
* Multi-Controllers (Thumb Stick): Direct AF Area Selection.
Note: This gives me three ways to move the active AF area, The thumb stick, the cross keys or the touch screen. That is a bit of overkill but I use each in different situations.
Customize Dials, Orange Camera Icon, Screen 3
* Main (front) Dial: Tv (Time value), Shutter speed setting in M Mode
* Quick Control (rear) Dial: Av (Aperture value)
* Lens Control Dial (where relevant): Exposure Compensation (Hold metering button down)
Customize Quick Controls
The Quick Control single screen menu is very useful for making frequently used adjustments in the Prepare Phase of operation. For some reason access to this setup menu item is found in the shooting (Camera red) menu Screen 8.
We can leave the Quick Control menu at default or select the items we wish to appear there. I allocate the Quick Menu to the [*] button on the back of the thumb support for quick access without having to take the camera down from my eye.
Go to the Camera red (shooting) menu, screen 8 [Customize Quick Controls] click on this then follow the prompts for allocating items to this menu.
I have
* AF Area. Note, when the AF Area logo is selected there appears on screen a little white disc with three unequal horizontal lines adjacent to it. This is the Tracking symbol. When the text reads “Enable” it means Enabled, which means tracking is active. When the text reads “Disable” it means Disabled, not active. Toggle between the two with the [Info] button. I just leave tracking enabled all the time with no problems.
* AF Operation (One Shot/Servo). In Canon language Servo means the AF system will try to maintain focus on a moving subject while the shutter button is half or fully depressed. In Canon-world Continuous AF means the camera will always be trying to focus on something whenever it is powered on. We do not want this as it just eats up battery power.
* Drive Mode
* Image Stabiliser mode
* Subject to detect
* Wi-fi/Bluetooth connection
* Focus Guide
* RAW Burst mode
Main Menus. If I do not list a menu item that indicates I leave it at factory default. I offer my personal settings as a starting point from which to explore alternatives.
When in doubt, leave a setting at default pending further experience with the camera.
Camera red Shooting Menu
* Image Quality: For speed, set JPG Large-Fine. For image quality with post processing, set CRAW. There is no benefit to setting uncompressed RAW.
* Camera ISO Speed settings: ISO Speed Auto, ISO Speed Range 100-12800, Auto Range 100-12800, Min Shutter speed Auto, Slower/Faster setting: I use +1 on the slider. This tells the camera to set a one EV step faster shutter speed than the standard 1/ff equivalent focal length. This setting is good for rapid street and documentary work but can be reduced for slower, landscape type work or increased for moving subjects. That is why I have it on My Menu.
* All other items on screen 2, OFF
* Metering Mode : Evaluative. I never change this. This is one of many situations where becoming familiar with the way the camera behaves in default mode is preferable to experimenting with alternatives.
* Color Space: sRGB
* Picture Style : Fine Detail, for evaluating focus and sharpness post capture on the monitor screen.
* Lens aberration correction. Settings here depend on whether we are using JPG or RAW capture and the lens mounted. In general we can leave settings at default.
* Long exposure noise reduction: OFF
* High ISO speed noise reduction: Low or OFF
* Disable Multiple exposure, RAW burst Mode and Focus Bracketing
* Drive Mode: Set at the Quick menu
* Silent shutter function: OFF
* Shutter Mode: Electronic First Curtain. I use this shutter mode all the time for everything.
* Release shutter without card: OFF
* IS Mode: Adjust in Quick Menu
* Touch shutter: Disable
* Image Review: Nil, OFF
* Display Simulation: Exposure
* OVF Sim view assist: OFF
* Shooting info disp: This leads to an extensive submenu for the EVF and monitor. We can configure each independently. The general rule I use is to limit screen clutter as much as possible. We toggle between each selected display with the [Info] button.
There are several levels to these submenus. After selecting the main display group(s) we can press the [Info] button for further adjustment to each display.
* Reverse display: ON
* Disp. performance: Smooth
* AF Operation and AF Area: Allocate to Quick Menu
* Subject Tracking: ON
* Subject to detect: On Quick Menu
* Eye Detection: Enable
* Switching tracked subjects: 1
* The Servo AF settings, screen 2 of the magenta AF menu, are confusing. There appears to be no consensus on user forums as to the best set of options. In that case the default settings might be best.
I have Case 1 (Versatile multipurpose setting) set with tracking sensitivity and Accel/decel tracking at default which is 0.
* One shot AF release priority: Focus
* Preview AF: Disable
* Lens drive when AF impossible: ON. This option may be relevant when using long lenses with birds and wildlife. Quite often repeatedly releasing and re-pressing the shutter button can help the camera acquire focus.
* AF Assist Beam firing: OFF
* Touch and drag AF settings: OFF
* Limit AF Areas: This limits the number of AF Areas which can be selected in the AF Area tab in the Quick menu. Fewer available options means less scrolling.
* Orientation linked AF point: This quite useful as our subject will often be closer to the top of the frame in portrait orientation. Set option 3: Separate AF Pts. Pt. Only.
* MF peaking settings: OFF. I find the Canon swinging arms MF guide easier to use and very accurate.
* Focus Guide: ON.
* Electronic full time MF: ON.
* Lens Electronic MF: Disable after one shot.
* Focus/control ring: Focus
* Focus Ring rotation : default
* RF lens MF focus ring sensitivity: default
In the Playback menu I leave most items at default.
* Highlight alert: Enable
* AF Point disp: Enable
* Settings for the purple Wi-Fi/Bluetooth menu depend very much on individual preferences. I find it best to disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when I am not actually using them. Setting Airplane Mode ON will also achieve this.
Now we come to the yellow wrench setup menu
* Copy Format card to My Menu. Always format a card before using it to memorise photos in any camera.
* Auto Rotate: ON for camera and computer
* Time, date and time zone are here if you missed them previously
* Video System: Country and region dependent
* Mode Guide: Disable
* Screen/viewfinder display: Auto 2
* Screen brightness: 4
* Viewfinder brightness: Auto
* No need to fine tune VF color tone
* Touch control: Standard
* Sensor cleaning: Auto Cleaning Enable. Runs a ultrasonic vibration whenever the camera is turned on or off.
* Custom Shooting Mode: There are two Custom positions on the Mode Dial. I use one for tripod landscape work and one for wildlife and sport. These are very useful as they allow us to change many camera settings with one simple action.
And now the orange camera menu
* I leave most of these items at default. We have already dealt with Customize Buttons and Customize Dials.
And that’s about all there is.
The settings I have suggested here are the ones I use, but everybody will in due course develop their own ideas about settings which suit their particular requirements.
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