Canon’s New EOS R8 Packs the Power of the EOS R6 II into a Compact Body
Canon has announced the Canon EOS R8, a full-frame mirrorless camera the company says is aimed at amateur photographers and videographers.
The R8 features the same 24-megapixel sensor as the Canon R6 Mark II as well as the same Dual Pixel AF, the DIGIC X processor, and its AI-driven subject recognition. While much is the same, the R8 is lighter and more compact and makes some concessions to get to a lower cost of entry.
Canon EOS R8: Design and Build
The camera shoots six frames per second (FPS) but can get up to 40 FPS with a fully electronic shutter. There is no mechanical shutter in the Canon R8, and the camera also lacks in-body image stabilization, making it rely on image-stabilized lenses to reduce vibration.
The Canon R8 is also capable of focus stacking and, when used in conjunction with the automatic A+ creative mode (see below), can automatically do HDR stacking based on subject detection.
The camera weighs just over a pound (461 grams) with a battery, SD card, and no battery cap. It measures 5.22 x 3.39 x 2.76 inches (132.5 x 86.1 x 70.0 millimeters). Externally, the R8 looks similar to the Canon R6 Mark II, though it lacks a joystick and the image rating buttons on the rear of the camera.
The R8 uses Canon’s smaller battery which is also found on the Canon R50. Canon did not provide CIPA ratings for the battery in the R8, though in PetaPixel’s testing, the battery ran out before a full day of mixed video and still shooting.
An update can be found on the hot shoe on the Canon R8, as it — like the R6 II — is a newer digital style, allowing the R8 to work with some direct-connect microphones, eliminating the need to use an external cable.
Under moisture-sealed covers, the R8 has a microphone and headphone jack, a Micro HDMI, and a USB port for charging and UVC/UVA web streaming.
The flip-out touch-sensitive LCD screen is 3.0 inches and has 1.62 million dots. The screen can be used for AF point select, Touch AF, Touch Shutter, Menu Selection, Quick Control, Magnification, and more.
Canon EOS R8: Quick Control
The Canon R8 features a new automated shooting mode activated by turning the mode dial to the A+ setting. This mode provides advanced shooting assistance and unlocks several creative modes. The PetaPixel R50 review and R8 review look at these modes and the complicated interaction with the camera they create. In short, it feels unlikely these modes will see much use on the Canon R8.
Canon EOS R8: Video
The R8 has a micro-HDMI port, which can output clean HDMI up to 4K 60p. Internally the R8 can record 4K UHD at 60p for up to 30 minutes. It can also capture uncropped 4K UHD 30p and Fully HD 30p for two hours, as well as Full HD at 180p, 150p for 20 minutes, and 120/100p for 30 minutes.
The R8 can record in C-Log 3 and capture up to 10-bit 4:2:2 H.265 HEVC. The EOS R8 offers vertical video metadata, movie self-timer, and audio noise reduction.
Canon EOS R8: Pricing and Availability
Canon also announced a new RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM full-frame lens, which will be available in a bundle with the Canon R8. Body alone, the R8 will cost $1,500. The kit with the R8 and 24-50mm are set to be priced at $1,700. The R8 and the new RF 24-50mm lens are scheduled to be released in “spring 2023.”
For more on the Canon EOS R8, make sure to check out PetaPixel’s review.
