[web64]

I have a Canon DSLR and my biggest frustration is with the software. I do a lot of night photography and the longest exposure possible is 30 seconds. To go beyond this you need to buy an external shutter release. It should be a simple thing to add a few more options with longer exposures to the menu.

Also, doing things like HDR or stop-motion can be a pain. Better software or the ability to run apps could solve this.

[alkonaut]

If you are a tinkerer, you could (most likely, depending on model) use a custom firmware such as Magic Lantern. Gives you basically anything you could imagine, but that Canon couldn't imagine. http://www.magiclantern.fm/

[musage]

Magic lantern truly is, well, magic. When my 30D died, I bought an 50D with some ambivalence; I wanted a "real body" and can't justify the price tag any of the #D series, but the 50D can't record video. Then I installed magic lantern, and now it can record video and so much more. Didn't end up shooting much video, but the photography features are so numerous and useful.

[web64]

Thanks! I will try out Magic Lantern!

[arethuza]

Camera software reminds me a lot of car software (entertainment and nav stuff) in that its obviously a bit of an afterthought and its a checkbox exercise and they don't give much thought to the actual user experience.

e.g. My wife has a lovely Audi but when I drive it I get very frustrated by how long the nav/entertainment system takes to start up...

[Sharlin]

Canon have finally added a builtin bulb timer to many of their latest-gen models, as well as an interval timer. Of course, the most likely reason for not doing it sooner had to do with wanting to sell remotes rather than any technical difficulty.