Canon announces the EOS R8, a 24×36 hybrid looking like the restrained EOS R6 Mark II

Canon expands its range of mirrorless cameras in RF mount and 35mm sensor with the EOS R8. On paper, this body is presented as Canon’s lightest and most compact 35mm mirrorless camera. Even smaller than the EOS RP, it takes up the line and aesthetic codes of the range, pumping in particular on the side of the EOS R6 Mark II, except that it is noticeably thinner than the latter. Indeed, the EOS R8 displays only 461 g on the scale, against 670 g for the R6 version 2.

Lighter, but without stabilization

This difference of 200 g is mainly explained by the absence of mechanical stabilization of the 24.2 Mpx CMOS sensor. In 2023, Canon is thus the only manufacturer to offer in its catalog full-frame sensor hybrids without stabilization, an intriguing particularity. In addition to its sensor with a sensitivity ranging from 100 to 102,400 ISO (50 to 204,800 ISO in extended mode), it also has the same shutter speeds. Up to 1/4000 s in mechanical shutter and 1/16000 s in electronic shutter.

High-performance autofocus on paper

The EOS R8 remains an interesting device, which incorporates many of the features of the EOS R6 II. It has the same sensor, offers the same autofocus skills, with body, face and eye recognition for humans, as well as tracking of cats, dogs, birds, horses, cars, motorcycles, trains and planes. Similarly, the burst reaches the staggering figure of 40 fps: it is not faster at present on the 24×36 market.

A good video mode

For video, while the EOS R6 II can record up to 6K Raw externally, the EOS R8 is content with 4K UHD and 60 fps (230 Mb/s – IPB – 4:2:0 8 bits , without cropping). Of course, the recording time is no longer limited to 30 minutes. We also have Canon Log 3 and an HDR PQ mode (H.265 and 340 Mb/s – 4:2:2 10 bits). For slow motion, you will have to go back to Full HD to reach 120 fps.

A simple connection via the USB-C socket allows you to offload the device’s memory card or transform it into a webcam for your computer (up to Full HD). For the rest of the connections, you can count on a micro HDMI type D socket, a remote control socket and two 3.5 mm jack sockets for the headphone output or the microphone input.

A viewfinder a little behind

Aiming is based on a 7.5 cm touchscreen monitor with a definition of 1.62 Mpx. The electronic viewfinder has a 2.62 Mpx (0.70x) Oled panel, set back from current standards, but which can have a refresh rate of 120 fps. Image storage is unfortunately only done on a single UHS-II SD card slot.

A device which therefore seems quite efficient, but which risks suffering from the comparison with 24×36 or even APS-C cameras of similar ranges, all equipped with mechanical stabilization of the sensor.

A small zoom to accompany

Alongside the announcement of this body, Canon is introducing the RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Zoom, which will form a kit with the EOS R8. This is a short full frame zoom with optical stabilization. It also has several controls: configurable focus ring, switch to activate or cut stabilization, and switch to alternate between the different focus modes and the option chosen for the ring. The minimum focus distance is 30cm.

Price and availability

The Canon EOS R8 will be marketed from the end of April 2023 for €1,799 naked. As a kit with the 24-50 mm, it will be displayed at €1999. The RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM will be sold alone for 399 €.

Fierce competition

The price of this Canon EOS R8 is therefore quite high, especially for a device without mechanical stabilization. Without looking for more high-end devices on paper, such as the Sony Alpha 7 IV (A7 IV) or the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, it competes with devices that are certainly a few years older, but still turn out to be very efficient. We will think of the Nikon Z6 II, the Sony A7 III, Panasonic Lumix S5 or even – to stay in the sector of compact 24×36 cameras – the Sony Alpha 7C (A7C). Note that all these devices are equipped with a stabilized sensor of 24 Mpx.