Canon announced two new mirrorless cameras and two new lenses on February 8, 2023: Canon EOS R8 and Canon EOS R50, along with RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 and RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1.
In September 2023, Canon’s EOS R system celebrates its 5th anniversary. The range has boasted a number of today best mirrorless cameraespecially in its full-frame lineup, which the Canon EOS R8 joins, lies between EOS R6 II and entry level EOS RP.
We previewed at Canon UK headquarters ahead of launch and wrote a actual assessmentand while the camera impressed us in some areas, we still had some burning questions – here are our initial thoughts.
1. EOS R8 is a full frame camera
Surprised that the Canon EOS R8 isn’t APS-C? We won’t blame you. Canon has caused a bit of confusion in its lineup by the name of the Canon EOS R8.
The Canon EOS R3 is the current mirrorless full-frame flagship, followed by EOS R5 and R5C, then EOS R6 And EOS R6 II (plus EOS RP and EOS R). The crop sensor APS-C mirrorless camera is Canon EOS R7, EOS R10 (and now EOS R50). Where does the full-frame EOS R8 pop up? In the APS-C nomenclature.
Canon is commended for filling up its EOS R range of lenses and system cameras so quickly, even less than five years since its launch. There are a total of 13 cameras and 33 Canon RF/RF-S lenses. But now things are starting to get confusing, especially regarding the EOS R7 and EOS R8.
However, perhaps the sensor format is becoming less relevant and it is more about what the camera can do. The EOS R7 may have a smaller APS-C sensor, but it has 32.5MP (compared to 24MP in the EOS R8), a superior battery, and IBIS (in-body image stabilization), so it can be considered as good. more capable than the EOS R8. That picture came out.
2. EOS R8 is Canon’s lightest full-frame camera
Despite using much of the technology from the Canon EOS R6 II, including a 24.2MP full-frame sensor, the EOS R8 has the same form factor as the entry-level EOS RP. It can even drop a few more grams. The EOS RP weighs 485g while the EOS R8 is 461g, and that’s with the battery and memory card inserted.
Complementing the EOS R8 is the new RF 24-50mm f/5-6.3 lens, available in the kit that comes with the new camera. In theory, this new lens is hardly exciting, but with its 210g weight and collapsible design, it’s a sensible combination for such a lightweight camera.
The EOS R8 and RF 24-50mm f/5-6.3 lens combination weighs less than 700g – that’s quite a feat for a full-frame viewfinder and lighter than many full-frame cameras. body only.
3. It has some impressive videos
Hybrid is a buzzword from Canon right now, and it is implementing greater video versatility in its latest RF mount mirrorless cameras to complement strong photo performance. We see the 30-minute video recording limit has been cut and, like the EOS R6 II, the EOS R8 can – in theory – shoot for unlimited time, even though 4K/60p is oversampled from 6K can push the actual capabilities of the camera up to keep rolling.
Canon’s most popular log profile – Canon Log 3 – is included. More simply known as C Log 3, this video color profile allows for quick turnaround in production, with plenty of control over color and contrast. Our ears also buzzed when we heard about the inclusion of false colors. It’s an incredibly handy tool that filmmakers use to check exposure, though you’ll have to look in the menus to find it.
A microphone input and headphone jack are also incorporated into this tiny camera, featuring a vari-angle monitor and dedicated photo/video toggles. Overall, the EOS R8 seems to be suitable for photos and videos.
4. You still have to pay the premium
Canon cameras almost always cost more than direct competition from the likes of Nikon, Fujifilm, Sony, and Panasonic. So it is welcome to own a camera with similar power to the EOS R6 II, but at a more reasonable price, and the EOS R8 is a very capable shooting camera.
However, there is one big “but”, and that’s one of the reasons why the EOS R8 is cheaper than the EOS R6 II – it has a entry-level body, with entry-level stamina. Yes, you get the same shooting performance and features as in the EOS R6 II, but you don’t have the same design. So is it really a better value camera? Is it better than the alternatives?
We think die-hard Canon fans will warmly welcome the EOS R8, and it could be an attractive option for upgraders or those transitioning from Canon DSLRs. But for the uninitiated or those looking to get into a mirrorless camera for the first time, most other brands (except perhaps Sony) still offer better value.
5. We’re not really sure who it’s for
If you’re the half-glass type, the EOS R8 is a camera with much more power than it looks. Full-frame 24MP sensor, vari-angle viewfinder and screen, 4K/60p video with Canon C-Log 3… damn it, even chromatic aberration.
But if you’re a die-hard thinker, you’ll question whether this camera’s target audience can make use of these features. The control layout is extremely simple; really too simple to easily use some of the best features. If you want to get the most out of the EOS R8, navigating the in-camera menu will need to become a familiar experience – for example, the 30fps Raw Continuous Shooting mode is not available on the shooting mode wheel. And not all photographers and filmmakers are patient with menus.
It’s also a camera that sits between lower-end full-frame cameras like the EOS RP and Nikon Z5boast a sensor format that is their big selling point compared to a feature list that’s longer than your arm’s length, and mid-range full-frame cameras that deliver better build quality, longer battery life, and a rich variety of physical controls.
So the real question that we keep coming back to is, “Who is the EOS R8 for?”
