Will a firmware update or a reset remove the languages?
Short answer: an official firmware update can — some models keep the added languages, others go back to the regional list. A settings reset is a different thing. Here is what we can say with confidence, and where the honest answer is "ask us about your model".
Official firmware updates
Some models keep the added languages after an official Canon or Sony update; others go back to the regional list. An update can also change what a setup is able to do on that model.
Our advice: write down your firmware version, ask us before you update, and check the Language menu afterwards. If the languages are gone, send us the old and new version numbers and we will re-check for free.
"Reset all settings" or a factory reset
A settings reset returns your choices to their defaults, including the language you picked, so you may have to select your language again. Whether the added languages stay in the list after a reset is something we confirm per model rather than promise in general — ask before you reset if it matters to you.
A reset doesn't add languages either: a Japan-market camera stays Japan-market after a reset.
Repairs and service visits
A service centre may reinstall or update the firmware during a repair, which can bring the regional list back. Let us know before and after a repair and we will check what can be done.
We are not affiliated with Canon or Sony, and a service centre may notice changed settings. Read our safety guide and disclaimer before you go ahead.
If the languages disappear
- Note the firmware version the camera now shows
- Write to us with the version before and after
- We re-check compatibility at no charge and tell you honestly what is possible
Common questions
Can an official update add languages to a Japan-market camera?+
Rarely. Official updates seldom expand the language list on Japan-market bodies.
Can I go back to the original two-language menu?+
You can always choose any language in the list. Going back to the shorter list itself may need a service visit — ask us about your model if that matters.
Related answers
How to tell if your camera is a Japan-market model
How to tell if a Canon or Sony is a Japan-market (JDM) unit: the Language menu, box and warranty card, charger, video system, model name, serial number — and which clues are reliable.
→Canon Kiss names and international names
Japanese Canon names next to their international and US names: Kiss X10 = 250D = Rebel SL3, Kiss X10i = 850D = Rebel T8i, Kiss M = M50, Kiss M2 = M50 Mark II — and which models keep the same name.
→What it really costs to get your language on the camera
Every way to get your language on a Japan-market or grey-import camera — DIY tools, service centres, shipping to Japan, a new body or our service — by cost, time and risk.
→Firmware Updates and Added Menu Languages — What to Know
Firmware updates fix bugs and add features, but on some models they bring back the original language list. A little planning before you press “Update” saves trouble later.
→Is Adding Menu Languages Safe? What Changes and What Doesn’t
We only change the camera’s language menu settings — not the sensor, the lens mount or the card slots. Still, no modification is completely risk-free. Here’s what changes, what we don’t touch, and how to keep things smooth.
→Tell us your camera model — we'll check for free whether we can add your language
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