Canon EOS R8 Review (exemplary entry-grade option, DPReview)

Here is a Canon EOS R8 review.

Canon EOS R 8 at a glance:

• 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

The folks at DPReview posted their full Canon EOS R8 review. They gave it a Silver Award and a rating of 87%. Form their conclusion:

While the EOS R8 is hardly the highest-performing camera we’ve seen from Canon lately, it is an exemplary entry-grade option. It gives camera buyers most of the performance of the higher end EOS R6 II, but in a simplified package, rendering it straightforward enough for those trying a modern full-frame camera for the first time. The small shape and light weight make it easy to handle, and convenient to pack for a trip with its kit lens in tow.

[…] The biggest problem that the Canon EOS R8 runs into time and time again is its weak battery life. Although from a features and image quality perspective the R8 is highly competitive, the battery life is worst-in-class. On paper and in our experience, this is the camera’s Achilles heel, with anything intensive destroying battery life. With competing cameras like the Sony a7C or Nikon Z5 you’ll get up to double the number of images on a single charge. In an age where we have DSLR-like battery life from high-performance mirrorless cameras, the EOS R8 feels like the bad kind of throwback. If you pick up an EOS R8, spend the money for a spare battery – or a USB-C PD battery pack.

Read the review at DPReview…

Canon EOS R8:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

A lightweight, travel-friendly, full-frame camera body, the Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera offers powerful photo and video capabilities for both photographers and multimedia content creators. Utilizing a newly developed sensor also found in the EOS R6 Mark II, the R8 features a 24.2MP CMOS sensor paired with a DIGIC X processor. Together, this combination provides outstanding stills performance, impressive 4K 60p 10-bit video, and fast autofocus.

24.2MP Full-Frame Sensor and DIGIC X Processing

Pairing a powerful full-frame 24.2MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC X image processor, the R8 delivers high resolution imagery with rich and accurate colors. Designed to work in a variety of lighting condition, this camera offers a flexible ISO 100-102400 range that is expandable to ISO 204800 for working in difficult lighting conditions. Using the full width of the sensor, 6K oversampled UHD 4K 60p video recording is supported as is Full HD 1080 180p for slow motion playback. The R8 offers 4:2:2 10-bit shooting and up to 2-hours of video recording is now available at 29.97 fps, allowing you to keep your project rolling. Capable of processing high speed bursts, the DIGIC X image processor also supports up to 40 fps continuous shooting and offers pre-shooting support, which allows the camera to start recording images 0.5 seconds prior to pressing the shutter release button.

Dual Pixel CMOS AF II

Featuring 1053 automatic AF points that cover the entire sensor area, the advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system provides extremely fast and accurate focusing performance. This phase-detection focusing system offers enhanced subject detection and tracking, with the ability to intelligently recognize people, animals, and vehicles while automatically locking onto these subjects and maintaining sharp focus throughout burst and video captures. Additionally, this autofocus system’s low-luminance limit focuses down to an impressive -6.5 EV for accurate focusing in dark conditions.

HDR PQ and Canon Log 3

Though the EOS R8 camera can record impressive video straight out of camera, content creators looking to take the next step in their imaging journey have the choice of two powerful video recording options in HDR PQ or Canon Log 3 video recording. With HDR PQ recording a 10-bit color file is recorded that does not require additional editing. This 10-bit HDR file is compatible with HDR displays such as TVs, monitors, and smartphones, which display your video with even more color accuracy and dynamic range than standard displays. For creators who like to edit their video files, Canon Log 3 is also available, creating a 10-bit log file which allows for powerful recovery of highlights and shadows as well as creative color grading capability.

Vertical Movie Mode and Aspect Markers

Movie rotation information can be set during or after movie recording, allowing videos to be played in vertical composition when viewing on a smartphone. The Aspect Markers function displays visual markers for different aspect ratios that may be desired for posting the same file to various social media sites. This display provides consideration for proper composition for the different deliverable files that can be created when editing.

Livestreaming

UVC/UAC compatibility allows the R8 to be used as a web camera to stream live video in Full HD, without additional computer software, to applications such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and similar video conferencing software. Thanks to the full-frame image sensor, you’ll be able to have versatility in your exposure, as well as strong background separation when using bright aperture lenses for video conferencing or livestreaming content.

Movie Digital IS

Record stable videos efficiently with minimum equipment, even when shooting handheld, with Movie Digital IS 5-axis image stabilization. Camera-shake vibrations are reduced even more through coordinated control of Movie Digital IS when using a RF lens featuring optical image stabilization.

2.36m-Dot EVF and Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD

Providing high-resolution eye-level viewing, the R8 is designed with a bright and clear 2.36m-dot OLED EVF for a pleasing electronic viewfinder experience. The EVF supports up to a 120 fps refresh rate and has been designed to provide a bright, sharp, and colorful 100% view of the subject at hand.

Additionally, a large 3.0″ 1.62m-dot vari-angle touchscreen makes it easy to compose and shoot from virtually any angle. With touch and drag functionality, you can intuitively and swiftly move the autofocus point on the touch-panel LCD.

Flexible Connectivity

• Wired and wireless connectivity options allow for multiple methods of transferring photos and videos, livestreaming, as well as for remotely controlling the camera. Physically, the camera features a remote port, a USB-C port, a micro-HDMI port, a microphone input, and a headphone jack for monitoring sound.
• Built-in Bluetooth pairing lets you easily connect the camera to compatible smart devices using the free Canon Camera Connect app. This low-energy wireless connection helps preserve battery life, while providing remote control of the camera. It also sends continuously updated GPS location data from your phone, letting you geotag what you’ve captured so you know precisely where you captured the photo.
• Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity enables wireless functions, such as remote live view, file viewing, and transfer, by connecting to Wi-Fi quickly and seamlessly. Using the Canon Camera Connect app, you can also transfer files to your mobile device to browse and share on social media.
• Built-in USB-C allows you to connect the camera to a smartphone or computer. All Canon Camera Connect app features that can be used with Wi-Fi are now available when the camera and smartphone are connected via USB, using a compatible cable for your device.

Next-Generation Multi-Function Shoe

An update to a conventional hot shoe, the Multi-Function Shoe adds a row of pins at the front of the design to permit greater accessory functionality as well as provide power to select accessory types that traditionally rely on separate batteries.