While it is supposed to activate the exact moment you engage the car in R, the camera is randomly slow to come on. With MBZ, Lexus and oddly Range Rover (which uses the same camera and PDC system as BMW) the camera comes on right away. Don't know why the E70 takes a while to activate, although it is not every time for this problem. Both the E70 and Range Rover stay on while in D for a few moments. Seems odd, but a lot of times you are going between R and D while parallel parking, 3 point turns, manuevering, etc.. So it makes sense for the camera not to have to go on & off. It is not so great to begin with, so we can't over tax the poor system!! Bavarian Gremlins. Btw, while the Range Rover camera quality is still pretty bad, it is actually clearer and the colours are better than the E70 (same camera supplier though), so odd. BMW must have said: "Ve must mach dee Kamera wurse dann all uzzer Kameras".