The brand new Canon EOS R8 has landed, and it’s a stunning high-powered, high-speed hybrid camera. The much-anticipated Canon EOS R8 is a full-frame camera aimed at versatile multimedia creatives eager to enter the professional market. The camera is an excellent entry point to Canon’s full-frame mirrorless camera range.
Positioned as a replacement for the Canon EOS RP, the R8 has many similarities to the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, with a few features missing and at a much lower price point.
The EOS R8 features a 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor powered by Canon’s DIGIC X processor, the same processor used in all their new mirrorless cameras. The DIGIC X processor is the perfect match for the camera’s incredible multimedia features and performance. The camera’s powerful processor allows for a 40fps burst rate and a RAW burst of 30fps. It also enables high-resolution UHD 4K 60p video recording and Full HD video recording at a maximum of 180 frames per second.
Stills Performance
Whether you’re a portrait or sports photographer, the Canon EOS R8 is a mighty little machine capable of keeping up with your creative genius every step of the way.
Featuring the excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocusing system, the autofocus features on the R8 are immaculate. It has a 1053 AF zone and 4897 AF points covering the entire sensor. This delivers high-speed, highly responsive and accurate autofocusing performance. The autofocus system can recognise and track the human eye, face, head and body. It also tracks dogs, cats, birds, horses, racing cars, motorbikes, aircraft and trains.
Thanks to the R8’s powerful DIGIC X processor, the camera offers photographers stunning imagery, excellent shooting capabilities in harsh conditions and incredible low-light performance. Thanks to improved processing and increased sensitivity range, the R8 can extend from ISO 100 to ISO 102,400.
No matter your photographic genre, your craft and skillset can immensely benefit from this incredible camera. It is capable of shooting up to 40 frames per second with AF between every shot and continuous tracking. With 40fps that is pin sharp on every shot, you’re guaranteed never to miss that winning shot again.
One area where the Canon EOS R8 falls short is that it lacks an In-body Image Stabilizer. This can be pretty tricky for photographers who prefer to shoot handheld. If you want to get the most out of this camera and achieve crisp images, your best bet is to shoot with a tripod or gimbal.
Video Performance
As we’ve mentioned, the Canon EOS R8 offers filmmakers high-resolution 4K video recording at a maximum frame rate of 60fps. You can also shoot 4K video footage at 30fps and 25fps. Fast and precise, the R8 allows you to capture decisive moments in stunning 4K quality. You can also capture slow-motion video at up to 180 fps.
Thanks to the R8’s C-log 3, filmmakers can extract more details in both bright and dark areas of footage during post-production, providing their video with a wider dynamic range. The C-log 3 gives creators greater freedom and control over the final video footage.
The camera’s incredible autofocus features give filmmakers the tools to create high-speed video footage. With precise subject tracking, the R8 will allow you to lock onto subjects and maintain a razor-sharp focus on your subjects throughout the recording.
Ergonomics and Physical Features
The Canon EOS R8 weighs in at 461g. It’s lightweight and easy enough to transport on a day out shooting. The camera can operate in 0°- 40°C weather and features some weather and dust resistance.
The R8 features a vari-angle LCD screen, an On/Off camera setting lock switch, and various mode dials. However, it lacks a joystick which can be a negative for photographers accustomed to its benefits.
It has a single SD card slot, a 3.5mm microphone jack, a USB-C port, a micro HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also has Bluetooth 4.2 support features as well as WIFI connectivity capabilities. Its power source comes in the form of a rechargeable LI-ion Battery LP-E17. It has a battery life of approximately 370 shots when shooting through the LCD in 23°C heat and about 220 shots when shooting through the viewfinder in 23°C heat. However, when tested by our in-house photographers and filmmakers, the camera could shoot 1933 photos and 28 videos in 4K and at various frame rates with half the battery life still intact.
