Canon has announced its new EOS R8 and R50 mirrorless hybrid cameras. The EOS R8 is being squarely targeted as an entry-level full-frame camera for content creators and YouTubers.
The EOS R8 looks to represent very good value for money given its feature set and specifications. In a lot of respects, it is a mini EOS R6 Mark II at the same price point as the EOS R7.
Key features
- 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- 4K60p 10-Bit Internal Video, Canon Log 3
- 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.0″ 1.62m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
- 40 fps Electronic Shutter
- Movie Digital IS
- Vertical Movie Mode
- Microphone Input, Headphone Output
- Multi-Function Shoe, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
It has a lot in common with the EOS R6 Mark II
The EOS R8 features a 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor and it looks to be the exact same sensor that is used in the EOS R6 Mark II.
At first glance, the EOS R8 appears to share a lot of the same features and functionality as the EOS R6 Mark II. Not only does it feature the same sensor, but also the same 3.0″ 1.62m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen and Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system. The EOS R8 does have a slightly lower resolution 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder than the 3.69m-Dot OLED EVF used in the EOS R6 Mark II.
It also shares the same DIGIC X Processor that is found in the R3 and R6 Mark II. This processor is capable of processing high-speed bursts as well as high-res 4K video. The DIGIC X supports up to 40 fps continuous shooting with a silent electronic shutter or 6 fps with a mechanical shutter (the EOS R6 Mark II can do 12 fps), with AF and AE readings before each frame. There is also a 30 fps RAW Burst mode, which offers pre-release capture to record moments that happened up to 0.5-sec before you press the shutter.
Improved processing leads to improved low-light performance. The sensitivity range extends from ISO 100-102400 and is expandable to ISO 204800 for working in very difficult lighting conditions.
There is also a dedicated switch for moving between photo and movie capture.
The camera also includes a 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Microphone Input and a 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRRS Headphone/Mic Headphone Output.
Weight & Size
The EOS R8 weighs approx. 461g / 16.26 oz (with card and battery), this makes it Canon’s lightest full-frame EOS R System camera to date. The camera has physical dimensions of 132.5 x 86.1 x 70mm which makes it very similar in size to the EOS RP.
Video Recording
The EOS R8 is able to record internally up to UHD 4K60 10-Bit in C-Log 3 just like the R6 II. A 6K recording area can also be used for oversampled 4K shooting at 30p for improved sharpness, reduced moiré, and lower noise. And, for slow-motion playback, 180p recording is supported at up to Full HD resolution.
The camera also has the ability to use an APS-C crop mode when shooting in UHD 4K or HD.
HDR-PQ recording is possible, too, for in-camera HDR production and external recording, via the micro-HDMI port, which supports a clean 6K output at up to 60 fps. Also, unlimited recording times are possible, too, and the R6 Mark II features both mic and headphone ports, as well as a multi-function shoe for wide accessories compatibility.
The maximum recording time when shooting in all resolutions apart from 120p and 180p in HD is listed as 2 hours. As a comparison, with the EOS R6 Mark II, it is 6 hours. When recording in 180p or 120p the recording times are limited to 20min and 30min respectively.
As far as overheating is concerned, there is an overheat control setting in the menu when shooting video.
Using the micro-HDMI port, raw video recording is possible when paired with a compatible external recorder. ProRes RAW up to 6K 60p is possible using the full width of the sensor as well as 3.7K raw recording with a crop. It is a pity that Canon chose to go with a Micro HDMI connector on the R8. I am sure a lot of users would have preferred to have seen a full-size HDMI.
To combat focus breathing during video recording, the EOS R8 has a function that compensates for changes to the angle of view when adjusting the focus distance. The camera also gives extended recording times for up to two hours of normal video shooting, which helps if you are capturing vlogs or shooting at events.
The camera also has the ability to capture scenes from 3 or 5 seconds before recording. By simply shooting a still image, about 2 to 4 seconds immediately before shooting will be recorded as a movie at the same time as the still image is recorded. Please note that the video is recorded in Full HD 29.97/25.00fps ALL-I.
One thing to note is that the EOS R8 only features a single SD memory card slot.
Autofocus & Image Stabilization
The EOS R8 features the same Dual Pixel CMOS AF II as the EOS R5 and EOS R6 Mark II. It can focus in as little as 0.03 seconds even at 40fps with the electronic shutter. This intelligent system detects and tracks a range of subjects including animals, vehicles, and people, offering head, face and eye detection for precision focus. For greater control, it is even possible to select which eye to prioritize. To simplify detection across such a broad range of subjects, users can choose the auto setting which selects the subject based on the composition of the image. This performance extends to low light shooting scenarios as low as -6.5 EV.
Advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system features 1053 automatic AF points that cover the entire sensor area and provide notably fast, responsive, and precise focusing performance.
An In-Body Image Stabilizer (IBIS) corrects up to 7 stops of unwanted camera shake when shooting handheld, helping to shoot handheld in low-light conditions and reduce shake when recording videos. This 5-axis system can be also used in conjunction with lenses featuring optical image stabilization to compensate for up to 8 stops of camera shake depending on the specific lens in use. Additionally, Movie Digital IS uses the optical and sensor-shift stabilization methods along with digital IS to help acquire steadier footage while moving.
Enhanced Connectivity
With built-in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, users can share their work and make use of the Camera Connect app, while the WPA/WPA2/WPA3-Personal authentication ensures a secure connection.
For those seeking a fast and easy wired connection they can use a direct download that can be operated via the Canon Connect App. The EOS R8 is iOS MFI certified for iPhone. Android users can enjoy the same benefits via USB-C to USB-C cable. The EOS R8 can also be used as a webcam with its USB video device class (UVC)/ USB audio device class (UAC) support.
Camera cloud platform, image.canon, enables Canon cameras equipped with automatic image transfer functionality to automatically upload image and video files in their original quality (file is not compressed) directly to image.canon and store them for up to 30 days. Serving as a hub for users’ content, image.canon makes possible the transfer of image files to connected PCs, compatible smartphones and external web services. Canon recently made updates to image.canon, expanding its use to a number of new users with Adobe Lightroom movie and corporate support enabling compatibility with a range of services including Frame.io and Google Photo accounts.
Price & Availability
The Canon EOS R8 is now available to order for $1,499 USD. It won’t start shipping until late April. To put that price into perspective, here is what some of Canon’s other full-frame mirrorless hybrids retail for:
The EOS R8 is also priced at the exact same amount as the Canon EOS R7.
Thoughts
Canon has certainly blurred the lines between their various mirrorless hybrids. Just like Sony, Canon now has a lot of different mirrorless hybrids in its lineup that share very similar feature sets and specifications. While it is always good to have a lot of options to choose from if the cameras share very similar features and specifications it does become somewhat confusing for the consumer.
Canon has become very aggressive with their pricing in recent years and I can’t help but wonder what this announcement will do to sales of the R6 Mark II and the R7.
Canon EOS R50
The EOS R50 is an entry-level APS-C mirrorless hybrid. It features a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor, a DIGIC X Image Processor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 651 Zones, and the ability to be able to record internally in up to UHD 4K 30p.
Key features
- 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC X Image Processor
- UHD 4K 30p Video Recording
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 651 Zones
- 2.36m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.0″ 1.62m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
- 15 fps Electronic Shutter
- Movie for Close-Up Demos Mode
- Vertical Movie Mode
- Multi-Function Shoe, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
The EOS R50 was designed with travelers and aspiring creators in mind. It is small and easy to use and works seamlessly with smartphones for instant sharing.
The EOS R50 is a gateway into the EOS R range for content creators looking to step up from their smartphone and refine their style, in both stills and video, using a dedicated camera. It features an easy-to-use interface, intuitive design, and advanced new automatic modes. Accompanying the launch of the EOS R50 is the RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM, a compact telephoto lens specifically designed for APS-C cameras in the EOS R range.
The EOS R50 tips the scales at 375g. It features a vari-angle screen and a touchscreen interface.
The camera features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C sized sensor and it is capable of recording UHD 4K 30p video oversampled from 6K. Automatic in-camera image merging guarantees focus when capturing subjects’ closeup.
The EOS R50 utilizes Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus II that detects and tracks people, animals, and vehicles. This is supported by continuous shooting at 12fps using the electronic first curtain and 15fps silent electronic shutter.
The camera features a multi-function hot shoe so you can connect compatible external accessories such as a microphone to the camera.The multi-function shoe can also be used to supply power from the camera to compatible accessories.
The EOS R50 has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity enabling image and movie transfer using the Camera Connect app for instant sharing and remote shooting. For users seeking fast, easy, wired connection for direct download and operation via the Canon Connect app, the EOS R50 is iOS MFI certified for iPhone. Android users can enjoy the same benefits via USB-C to USB-C cable which can be purchased separately.
The Bluetooth connection also allows simple control with the BR-E1 remote control or a compatible smartphone to take images or start and stop recording. It’s also possible to use the EOS R50 as a webcam using UVC/UAC over a USB connection, requiring no additional software, to achieve high quality live streams and video conferencing.
Camera cloud platform, image.canon, enables Canon cameras equipped with automatic image transfer functionality to automatically upload image and video files in their original quality directly to image.canon and store them for up to 30 days. Serving as a hub for users’ content, image.canon makes possible the transfer of image files to connected PCs, compatible smartphones and external web services. Canon recently made updates to image.canon, expanding its use to a number of new users with Adobe Lightroom movie and corporate support enabling compatibility with a range of services including Frame.io and Google Photo accounts.
The EOS R50 retails for $679 USD.
RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM
The RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM is a compact and versatile RF zoom lens. Its image stabilization means users can capture sharp photos even without a tripod, and an STM focusing system is claimed to provide smooth and quiet autofocusing perfect for shooting video. The lens looks to be an affordable solution for users who want to pair it with the EOS R50 and RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM.
The RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM retails for $349 USD.
I wouldn’t expect that this lens is going to be optically good. Usually, with kit-style lenses like this that are affordable, you pay for what you get.
RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM
The RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM is a small and lightweight lens with a 2x zoom and 24-50mm focal length. It offers advanced image stabilization up to 4.5 stops which increases up to 7 stops when attached to an EOS R camera with IBIS. The STM focusing motor is fast and quiet, with extra control from a customizable lens control ring that lets users switch between different modes. Benefitting from the RF Mount, the RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM works with EOS R Series cameras to support a wide range of in-camera image enhancement features including panning in scene mode and focus breathing correction for movies.
The RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM will retail for $299 USD and it will be available in April.
