Canon EOS R8 Review

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Article: description: The Canon EOS R8 is one of the newest members of the EOS R family. With a full frame sensor, 4K video, and weather sealing, it’s a fantastic full frame mirrorless option.
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When people think of photography, one of the first brands that comes to mind is Canon. They have long been a market leader in the camera industry, and since they started manufacturing mirrorless cameras in 2012, their popularity has only grown. One of their newest releases and hottest-selling cameras today is the Canon EOS R8. 

In this Canon EOS R8 review, we’ll share a basic camera overview, break down its video and photo specs, recommend our favorite Canon lenses to shoot with, and more. Additionally, thanks to innovative websites like MPB, buying a used Canon mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier. 

Who is MPB? It is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling pre-owned photography and videography gear at unbeatable prices. Better yet, all of its cameras and lenses are hand-inspected by highly-trained product specialists with years of experience and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.

We are huge advocates of MPB because we have saved thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading photography equipment over the years using their one-of-a-kind online marketplace. You can do the same by visiting their website today. That said, it’s time to dive in and discover everything there is to know about the Canon EOS R8! 

Check out the video above by Canon Europe to learn more about the R8 and how it can help you grow as a photographer.

Table of Contents

Canon EOS R8: Overview

The Canon EOS R8 is an entry-level mirrorless camera that came out in 2023. While its original price is identical to the older R7, the biggest difference is that the R8 has a full-frame image sensor. It’s the same 24.2-megapixel sensor found on the more expensive R6 II. Along with the sensor, the weather-sealed body houses the latest Digic X image processor. 

The R8 is the first entry-level Canon full-frame camera whose autofocus (AF) recognizes different subjects—humans, animals, and vehicles. Subject recognition allows the AF to better predict your subject's movements, leading to more reliable and accurate results. This is a game-changer for new photographers and makes it easy to capture high-quality content.

Two more notable features are its compact design and various connectivity options. Its lightweight body makes it an ergonomic camera ideal for travel photography and children. At the same time, its built-in Wi-Fi lets you instantly transfer photos and videos from the camera to your mobile devices so you can share them with your family and friends in real-time. 

Now, here’s an in-depth look at the Canon EOS R8 specs and key features: 

  • Camera Type: Mirrorless
  • Sensor: 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
  • ISO: 100 - 102,400 (expandable to 50 - 204,800)
  • Lens Mount: Canon RF Mount
  • Speed: 40.0 fps
  • Autofocus: 1053 focus points
  • Video: 4K/60p, & 1080p/180p
  • Size/Weight: 133 x 86 x 70 mm / 461 grams
  • Battery Life: 290 shots
  • Stabilization: No
  • Touchscreen: Yes
  • Weather-Sealed: Yes
  • Used Nikon Z8 Price: $1,109 - $1,349

 

Canon EOS R8: Imaging Capabilities

As a hybrid camera, the Canon EOS R8 captures both photos and videos. With that said, we prefer using it as a stills camera. First and foremost, that’s because of its excellent image quality. Photos shot on the R8 have excellent sharpness and boast the classic vibrant and bold colors long associated with Canon DSLR cameras.

Furthermore, it has a maximum continuous shooting speed of 40 frames per second (fps) when using the electronic shutter. That fast burst shooting lets you capture crisp, in-focus images of fast-moving subjects like animals, athletes, or cars. If you prefer using the mechanical shutter, the number drops to a below-average 6 fps.

Other photo-friendly features include its pre-buffer mode and high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF). The pre-buffer mode captures fifteen extra frames during the half-second before you push the shutter. Meanwhile, the crystal-clear EVF has 2.36M dots and helps when composing your photos.

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Canon EOS R8: Video Capabilities

Don’t let what we just said confuse you, though. The Canon EOS R8 also excels as a video camera! Its signature video feature is its 4K video capabilities. The R8 can capture oversampled (from 6K) UHD 4K video at frame rates of 24, 30, and 60 fps. It also records super-slow-motion video clips at 1080p/180p Full HD. 

In addition, during 4K video capture, you can choose between 10-bit C-Log3 or 10-bit HDR PQ. These professional color profiles store tons of information and give you way more freedom when color-correcting your footage in programs like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro.

Its video/photo switch, fully articulating screen, and microphone/headphone ports are also great video features. The toggle switch allows you to seamlessly switch between shooting modes. The articulating screen is perfect for YouTubers/vloggers. And the audio ports enhance the original audio quality, so you can spend less time fixing it in post-production.

We only have two minor complaints: the 30-minute recording time limit and poor battery life. If Canon can fix those in future iterations, they will have a flawless entry-level mirrorless camera. 

Recommended Lenses for the Canon EOS R8

Here’s a quick list of some of the best Canon RF lenses for photo and video to pair with the Canon EOS R8.

Final Thoughts on the Canon EOS R8

If you want a powerful and affordable full-frame mirrorless camera, you can’t go wrong with the Canon EOS R8. It might not be able to compete head-to-head with higher-end cameras like the R5, but it provides beginners and amateurs with tons of value at less than half the price, leaving you with more money to continue building your camera kit! 

Want to compare it with other Canon mirrorless cameras? Here’s an inventory of every Canon EOS R mirrorless camera to date. They are listed from the cheapest to the most expensive, and you can find great deals on all of them at MPB!

Alternatively, Canon EOS M mirrorless cameras are fantastic options if you are brand new to photography or on a tighter budget. 

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