My Canon EOS R8 review - is this the best value new full-frame camera? Check MPB to buy and sell used gear: bit.ly/3ULU9yL Canon EOS R8 at B&H: bhpho.to/3ldsdqh // WEX UK: tidd.ly/40H8oI8 Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop Gordon’s retro gear channel: ru-vid.com Equipment used for producing my videos Sony A6400: prf.hn/l/pRO0wp5 Sony e 24mm f1.8: amzn.to/2TqWNzk Rode NT USB mic: amzn.to/3AdHcUp Rode Wireless Go II mic: amzn.to/3xkCvGo Rode Lavalier Go mic: amzn.to/3ygzzKY Godox UL150 light: amzn.to/2VpVbXE Godox QR-P70 softbox: amzn.to/3yQfGdF MacBook Pro 14in (16GB / 1TB): amzn.to/3PrKbPV 00:00 - Introduction and alternatives 04:07 - MPB - Buy, Sell or Trade! 05:07 - Canon EOS R8 design and controls 06:09 - Canon EOS R8 screen and viewfinder 06:29 - Canon EOS R8 ports, cards, battery and life 07:34 - Canon EOS R8 lens mount and lenses 08:46 - Canon EOS R8 image quality 10:01 - Canon EOS R8 autofocus and subject detection 11:33 - Canon EOS R8 burst shooting, buffer, RAW burst 13:58 - Canon EOS R8 photo features, focus bracketing 14:11 - Canon EOS R8 movie options 15:05 - Canon EOS R8 movie quality 1080 vs 4k 16:06 - Canon EOS R8 movie slow motion: 60 vs 120 vs 180 16:28 - Canon EOS R8 movie autofocus 18:07 - Canon EOS R8 vlogging quality 19:32 - Canon EOS R8 verdict and sample images Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Most peoples complaint was about the RP battery. Sometimes canon don't listen. I'd miss the wheel as well so I'll skip this and maybe there might be an R9 out by the end of the year. But great review as always Gordon.
I don't think there is any "versus" here. I had an R6 II, I really liked it in almost every aspect, BUT: I need something smaller and lighter, otherwise laziness and convenience will eventually win and the camera will just collect dust. The R8 together with the 28/2.8 weighs about as much as the X-T5 without the lens, which is great. If someone takes photos for a living, their considerations and priorities will be completely different. Otherwise, nice video - as always :-)
This is great. My RP that I've been using as an EDC has been feeling a little long in the tooth, this looks like a great update, and I can keep the same batteries and grip extender, and nearly identical ergos except for the power/lock toggle on the top.
Hi Gordon, I have an R5 and R10. I rented the R8 because I wanted a full frame for traveling light. It was really very good, great low light and lovely image quality. AF is the best I have experienced, I would like Ibis but discovered I can hand hold stabilised lenses ok down to around 1/25 no problem. Good for me! I am going to buy it
I think the R8 and RF 16mm is indeed a great combo for vlogging. Light and wide enough to enable enhanced digital stabilisation for a really steady result. And unlike the R6 or R6 II you won't experience IBIS wobles that happen with that lens as Canon only lets you enable or disable all IS at once...
I really hate that the only reason we are upgrading to a new camera is because they don't have the 4k crop. I feel they could fix that with an update and Atleast keep it at 25p.....
@@ElevenAce you mean from the RP? It's a very different sensor and processor, the one in the RP was very limited in what it could do by the hardware, not the firmware.
Enjoy all your videos. Keep up the good work. At my age of 82 and trying to get back in to a bit of serious for me photography I am developing more of an interest in jpg’s. You mentioned your book the other day and I bought it. I am looking forward to diving into both your book and some jpeg outputs. Ahhhh….I did have to breakout my “Coke bottle “ glasses though. Your headings are easy to read but lighter,smaller and thinner print in the body of your stories not so much. Well all the good info is still there and all that you say has great interest to me. I enjoy it when you and Duane get together as well. Thanks for all you do. Joe
Thanks for buying my book! I didn't design the layout inside though, and I agree some of the text is a bit small! I hope you can still read it ok though and find some useful or interesting information - I'm a 99% JPEG shooter.
As always. The best reviewer of cameras in RU-vid. Been following you for almost a decade now. Thanks gordon As for the camera, so cute, so capable, so affor9
Based on pre-release rumors, i wasn't expecting to have any interest in this R8, as I already have the original R6. But the much smaller body and weight, along with IS in the RF lenses I have and would use with it, make it a really intriguing option to switch to, for travel, general use, and with the focus composite, even macro work. When I need speed, I also need the reach of a crop sensor camera for birding, thus that's not so much of a downside for me. So, hmmm, call me intrigued.
I was thinking the same thing - a handy backup camera. The one feature that actually draws me a bit is the pre-record 30fps RAW burst mode. That's a big deal with birds/wildlife. Often times you try to catch them taking off, but by the time you press the shutter, you're too late. This would give 15 shots and a half-second before you pressed the shutter. That can make a world of difference.
Awwesome review as usual! Thank you Gordon. 👍 Currently owning an RP, unfortunately, I'm still stumped on if I should spend the extra for the R6 mk ii haha. Aaah decisions decisions.
Well, the R8 basically takes your RP and puts the R6 II sensor inside, BUT you have the same body features as before. if you wat a body upgrade with IBIS, dual cards, bigger battery, better EVF etc, then you need the R6 II.
Best camera review on RU-vid ever, you're the real deal, I was considering the EOS R7 before your review, you didn't mention about it's live streaming capability, is the battery in the R8 not as good as the R? I was considering that yesterday now I'm leaning towards the R8
Another solid review, thank you Gordon. It seems like a very lightweight camera, probably good for use on a small gimbal. That said I remember using the RP when it first came out and the shock when I found myself in London with only one dying battery!
Gordon, honestly, you're one of the most knowledgeable reviewers on YT, so I'm a little surprised that you said ''bigger pixels on R8 makes it better in low light'' when it is well known that it's just an urban legend but actually the whole size of the sensor accounts for light capture not an individual pixel
On a per pixel level, a bigger pixel has the potential for greater light gathering plus higher dynamic range, BUT while higher res sensors with smaller pixels may be noisier per pixel, there's more of them, so the noise artefacts are smaller and often less obtrusive. Lots of factors to weigh up
Thanks Gordon. Nice review. Looking at this as an RP owner, it’s definitely an upgrade to the RP, not the R, even though Canon’s naming convention would suggest that it takes the place of the EOS R in the lineup. It’s a nice upgraded RP body. Same layout, batteries, looks like the same grip extender. I put a third party battery grip on my RP and I’ll be looking for someone to make one for the R8 since I’m sure Canon won’t. I’m excited to get an R8. It’s a great step forward from the RP at a good price point. But what will the R9 be? This is great, just not what I expected the R8 would be.
@@NoRegret08 Thanks, but the sensor? Isn't better? And the autofocus system much improved? It's easier to take with you that's a fact. But the sensor and autofocus I really don't know just asking.
@@hitfabryk Dynamic range is a little better on the R8. A little less noise on the R8. I have R7 as well and autofocus is better than the on the R. However , birds in flight - autofocus sucks on the R7. I returned the R10 for it's small battery and got the R7 and the battery life on the R8 is even worse than on R10. I read an article that the colors on the R magical. Viewfinder on the R also has higher resolution than on R8. If you also do the video, then get the R8 over the R. Just get a few batteries (extra cost) and you can only use these batteries on very few low end Canon cameras
Hi Gordon great review as always! Quick question, would the 30p Fine on the R7 be higher quality than the 30p on the R8? Probably you didn't get a chance to test this, just wondering as you've seen footage from both. Thanks!
@@cameralabs Thanks Gordon, I guess the R8 being a full frame vs the APSC makes the small difference probably. I am contemplating between the two. Perhaps if you get the chance it would be a good test in the future, as they're the same price! ☺️
Thanks a million Gordon, I've been watching your videos sice your earliest ones. One question though, did you feel that the R8 falls short of Dynamic range, at least comparing it to my 5D IV or 5DsR?
It's the R6 II sensor if that helps. I did some DR tests for that in my R6 II review and it works fine for my needs - I rarely push them hard in that regard though.
I'm really conflicted between this and the Panasonic Lumix S5 II as my first camera. I was hoping to get gernally into photography, landscapes and street photography mainly, but also wanted the camera to serve video purposes for events or even streaming/video production. The lack of an IBIS seems a bit harsh, but a gimble could easily fix that
I love Canon but the S5 ii is a much better buy if you’re comparing the R8. That’s a lot of camera for your first buy though. I’d go with something you can grow in and really get comfortable with the system. Invest in glass, not bodies. You probably won’t use/need half the features on the S5 ii if you’re just starting out.
I thought about the original EOS R and the RP. The RP would have cost me more, I already had a stack of LP-E6 batteries of various brands, and I would probably have bought four extras for the RP. Eventually I decided not to, and I use mostly M43 gear, and an S1R with my TS-E lenses. That 90mm macro lens looks good, but it's not the MP-E 65 killer I anticipated. Teleconverters required for the higher magnifications? It's even more expens, unless you have the teleconverters, and more faffing around. AF and focus bracketting though.
This is a review every objective person needs. Great review. No bias, no fanboy thing like the Fro. Giving the pros and cons just to a typical user who will need this camera for their use, or else others telling this is ultimate sports camera for somebody who shoots even professional. I really envy R8 video features as a Z5 owner, how much I wish I could at least have no crop 4k. In video R8 is obviously better than even Z6ii, but consider having a gimbal, and spare batteries. Would I get R8 if I was serious about video, probably yes, but R6 is also great option to consider, even being older. But in stills area, Z5 beats R8 especially after latest firmware and is 500$ less. IBIS , dual card slots, great EVF, battery life, 1/8000 mechanical shutter, ergonomics, 3rd party lenses, and I will argue in AF things, for portraits , events , weddings , street, landscape its AF is enough. For action and wildlife, yes it's slacking. But for majority of stills shooters , Z5 is a better camera than R8.
Thanks, and I'm glad you like my approach to making reviews. I wish there was a bigger demand for this style, as the more sensationalist videos always get more views and greater revenue as a result.
Thank you so much Gordon for the detailed and informative review. As I know R8 doesn't have mechanical shutter system? is that right? thanks and God bless you!
Thanks Gordon, I look out for yo when. Pop along the coast! With the R8s ability to provide a crop of 1.6x this would have the effect of increasing the EF100-400 to max at 640mm I think, but what is the resolution like? It would be a great all-round camera and decent for birds in flight if the crop image resolution is still good, no? I have a 6d, and I’m in the early stages of looking to upgrade - the R6 mk2 would,be my desire, but I have pennies to sane for a year or 2 first - this might swing me towards the R8 if the detail and sharpness were good enough. Thanks for the reviews - I’ve subbed! 🙏😀
If you intend to crop for photo, you will lose a lot of resolution, so it's best to by a crop camera instead. the R7 and 100-400 are a great combo for wildlife. Cropping for video is ok through as there's still enough res for 4k.
I have an rp that I quite enjoy. Been debating upgrading to perhaps the r5 or r6ii, finances pending. though the r8 may fit my budget better and skill set. I’m also torn between waiting to see if a r5ii comes out in a few months. Me and my wallet are torn.
I'm still using my 10 year old T5i Rebel (700D), it's in excellent condition and has served me well, but I might need to upgrade. I'm eyeing the R8 as my replacement.
Excellent review! I've been looking at the Sony a7c for my daughter so she can Vlog her construction business. Now this Canon R8 comes out, so I'm glad I didn't get the Sony...yet. I have shot Canon for 45 years but know absolutely nothing about video, and my daughter knows nothing about cameras. I have the R and all RF L glass. I'm looking for other people's opinions here...Will the R8 be better than the Sony a7c for vlogging? I appreciate any input that you or your readers can offer. Thanks!
You'd have to look up the 77D as it's been ages since I used it. You're best comparing the specs on Canon's web pages for both models - the R8 will have better video quality, AF and more features.
I didn't know there was an EFM to RF adapter available. Plus the Sigma is only designed for smaller APSC sensors, so you'd be in a crop mode on the R8.
I have found after shooting lots of video that the CLOG3 is much worse than using HDRPQ. You really notice it in the blacks. CLOG3 is way too noisy. I really don't know why people use it. The cinema gamut is also overkill for such a noisy image. I'd sooner have reduced colour depth and clean shadows. Resolve is very good at producing nice colours from even 8 bit footage anyway.
I was thinking to buy the RP before the R8 was released, but after watching I've changed my mind hence the newer parts and the price to performance on the R8 compared to the RP
@@cameralabs for us Canadians it seems like $1000 difference for better video, between the RP and R8. for myself I'm happy with my R7 for critters, and a used RP I got for FF richness, bokeh and wide angle.
Canon the lenseless system, who may have guessed? Cheaper bodies but lenses costing three times as much. Canon needs to allow third party lenses to sustain its system. Especially the RF ASP-C line.
It is funny you mention the 6D. Not sure these are really an upgrade for me. I have the 6D and it is a great camera ready for the EF lens family. I noticed the R lens you showed there was a plastic mount. I prefer a metal mount. I am looking at a used Nikon D3s. It is less than a 3rd the price of these cameras. I am sure plenty of folks will find the R cameras the one for them. For me? Nope. I like the legacy. My newest camera is a Sony a6400. Doubt if I go any newer. I live for real, and not in a lab. Love your reviews in any case. So fun to watch how you see the new tech. I love your old tech videos too. Thanks Gordon. Cheers.
I can’t miss the IBIS. I’d choose the Panasonic S5 mark 2 with its lovely L2 colours and live LUT, and I’m dreaming of a 45ish MP version of that one… for the price of a S5 mark 2 X version, that would be a dream! With a nice affordable yet good quality Sigma lens.
And Sigma lenses. Canon really misses out by not having Sigma. While Sony and Panasonic will continue to grow with them. That alone has me happy with the S5ii.
Nice one I was solely looking for a cropped camera but after not been happy with the r7 I’ve sold that to mpb and I was now thinking px the r6 in towards a r6mk2 untill canon release a better crop camera pref with a stacked sensor but then after looking into the r8 I’m tempted to keep the r6 and get the r8 and pair that up with a rf 800f11 for birds I had that lens before but wasn’t happy with the small af area on the r6 I’ve still got the rf100-500 and the rf 1.4 x so could use that for now and see how that goes and also the r8 at least has better shutter readout speed than the shockingly slow r7 although no5 perfect still a good improvement also the r8 battery is that the same as the m 50 battery as still have one a those knocking about with a few batteries lol 😂
I currently have the EOS RP and was thinking of getting the R8. I am in no way a professional I am an average joe taking photos at Disneyland and so on. Would it be an upgrade in your opinion? And Would you upgrade from the RP? TIA
Sheesh, this really is very confusing haha! (although your video has been a great help, thank you!) What would you say would be the better camera for an artist photographing their own work, indoors, in good (ish) natural light? The R7 or the full frame R8?
It is confusing! I think I need to make a dedicated comparison. As you know it's about weighing up body features against sensor size, but in good light the quality will be similar.
For £1700 in UK with small battery, card on the bottom and expensive RF lenses, no thanks. Great review though as always Gordon! I am saving for Panasonic Lumix S5II X even Panasonic kit lens has better range 20-60mm.
dpreview noticed significant loss in image quality in the m6 mark ii when using digital IS and even worse losses in image quality in enhanced IS. Does the R8 see any losses in image quality when digital IS or enhanced digital IS is enabled?
@@cameralabs But why? Canon has the LP-E6 well established. And my guess is - there will be not full featured BG for the R8 either. They should have re-used the R body and BG-E22.
If a battery grip comes out for this then I might be sold on it. The battery flap does look like it's removable for that purpose so I'm sure we might see one in the coming months.
Budget and experience (or lack thereof) made me order the R8. If I was a really good photographer, I'd probably want the extra features of the R6 Mark II, but I'm still learning, so the R8 makes sense experience-wise. Budget-wise, the $1000 I saved on the body will go a long way toward getting better lenses. Well, one better lens at least. :)
Not sure if this has been asked yet :) What is the dust & moisture protection on the R8? And why are images in video not affected by rolling shutter? Thanks, great video Gordon!
@@cameralabs hi, both video and electronic shutter for stills both operate in the same way via electronic shutter, So just wondering why electronic shutter for still shots is subject to the rolling shutter distortion while the video images appear to not be distorting? Kind of reminds me of smearing images on lcd tvs some years back? Is it the resolution or frame rate that the digic processing can’t quite handle? Or longer shutter speeds? Thanks 🙏 Just curious why the “rolling shutter” effect happens?
@@ScottoGrotto the rolling shutter effect is due to the readout speed of the sensor, line by line, so by the time it gets to the bottom, the subject or composition may have moved. It affects video and electronic stills but due to the way the video is scaled or oversampled from the full sensor, the effect may be less than for stills.
I would like to buy this camera but I have a silly question. How much the absence of IBIS impact the photo quality? As I see in this and other reviews that compare the R8 with the R6 MII apparently there are no big differences shooting photos with the two cameras. As the IBIS is considered a lack on this camera which is the issues or differences I can encounter choosing this camera over the R8 (still talking about taking photos) ? I need to solve this doubt 🙂
Well, we all survived without IBIS for decades before it was invented! It's useful for sure, but either pair the R8 with a lens that has IS (optical stabilisation in the lens) or be careful to use shutter speeds that are fast enough to avoid camera shake.
The Canon R8 is a replacement of 2009 canon RP. The price of canon RP will certainly drop lower than 900€ and it will be a bargain. The Canon R8 has a single card slot a maximum 1/4000th mecabincal shutter and only 1st curtain mechanical shutter. These are similar to the Sony a7C but the entry 2020 full frame Nikon Z5 at a similar or even lower price offers 1/8000th mechanical shutter double card slots, IBIS and much more. At the end of the day what counts is the quality of photos and Canon R8 is probably really good at that. With an entry price at around 1500€ The Canon R8 isn't cheap and with a lack of IBIS which is very important since the stabilization inside the lenses isn't common as before. Last the firmware of Canon mirrorless cameras doesn't allows the use of third party autofocus lenses contrary to Sony and Nikon mirrorless cameras. That is very very important since autofocus lenses by Sigma and Tamron are usually cheaper and with better optical performance.
Gordon, I hope you or someone has the answer to this question... I found the Limit subject to detect feature to be interesting. The only mention I could find of it in R6 II reviews was that it is for video. Is that true...video only, or does it work the same way for stills? Would be a major feature for any bird (or wildlife) shooter, where the focus goes completely off when the bird goes out of frame.
Good point. Yes, it is ONLY for video on the R6 II and R8. What you're looking for in stills is some kind of focus lock, normally on a button on higher end lenses.
@@cameralabs Thanks Gordon. Too bad. Even the RF 100-500 does not have a focus lock button, although you can assign custom lock to a button on the camera. It would be nice if Canon would find a way to add a focus limiter option top the menu, similar to Olympus (now OM System) where you can dial in a min and max distance. It works great for BIF to drastically reduce the focus racking that is far too common when shooting BIF.
Great work is always Gordon. At first this camera on paper made no sense. It makes much more sense now, it's essentially both a replacement for the R and RP and then those triple duty as a step up and image quality from crop or rebel. Ibis was important enough for me to hold out for the r62. The r62 is much more of a replacement for a 5D. This is definitely not this camera can definitely be very situational and it's usage limits but I'm sure it is a lot of ways that this can be used very effectively. The lens that's on it it's going to be super critical especially for IS. Thanks again now going to check out your other review. Cheers.
@@cameralabs as a RU-vid content creator already using Canon M50 Mark ii, I am thinking of upgrading to a camera with faster Auto focus. I have the F2.0 2mm pancake lens but upgrading to R8 will mean to start afresh with lenses. Wondering if I can use this opportunity to try other brands too. I don't like Sony color science and I don't have time for color grading. I want video and pictures I can post instantly from camera and Canon is good for that so far. M50 Mark ii is still doing an okay job on 1080p but I have to think about the future too
I wanted to buy this R8 but Im really curious with the effect of its first curtain / electronic shutter in strobe photography. No one demonstrate this in youtube. Does it matter if I use F1.4/1.8 + 1/8000 shutterspeed using strobe?
Does the sensor stay exposed even when the power is off? One of my favourite things about the original EOS R is that it shuts the sensor when turned off.
@@cameralabs ok cheers. I ditched canon years ago when they lost the game to Sony due to crap video features for a few years .... Now canon is back I might buy again as still have a bunch of L lenses
I was really excited about the R8 as a replacement to my Eos R as a faster, second full frame body for wildlife. I could have lived with the reduction in mega pixels, the lack of ibis and the single card slot, but the LP-e17 battery is a deal breaker for me. It’s really too bad. A nice upgrade to the RP for shooters who are happy with that camera and looking to experience Canons new autofocus system and updated video options. But sadly, I think this one is going to be a pass for me. That aside, great review as always.
Trust me it was not easy plopping down $2,500 plus for r62, but at least I know that I have all the bases covered for the next few years. I consider any camera without ibis unless it's very cheap to be a non-starter.
@@tokyorose1123 I would have went for R5 if I had the budget. That said, it's almost a sure bet that the R5 Mark II will come out sometime this year. Patience is a virtue it might end up replacing your current one and put that one on backup duty
Yeah, the smaller battery is a shame, but they had to reduce the price, weight and differentiate from the R6 II. If you have a USB PD source though, you can keep it running, or carry a spare.
Given the body is like an RP and the battery is the same as RP, pretty sure the R8 is an RP replacement. Regardless, thanks for the review. Definitely one great camera here!
@@cameralabs Keep up the good work, been a follower of Cameralabs even pre-RU-vid days. I've already contacted Canon as well, preparing to purchase an EOS R8!
@@mbr5742 yeah, there won't be. The world changed a lot, RP was launched at $999. R8 is now $1499 which I believe there's 2 reasons for it. 1. it's the latest gen Entry Level FF 2. EOS RP continues to be on the market. While R8 looks to be the RP replacement based on the physical nature of it, price and specs looks like it's kicking EOS R off the shelves.
Here I am saving up for an A7iv and now I'm asking myself if a whole lens worth of price difference is worth it...guess I should at least wait until March to see what Sony announces with A7Cii. Even though I'm coming from an old apsc body, I'm worried about giving up IBIS...
@@dpestlin1 Ah you mean out of camera. Well yeah, just look for a comparison between the R5 and R6 II. I would not hesitate at all mixing footage, the color science is extremely consistent.
Nice upgrade of the RP, which is what I use, in my case I like the battery, since it is light for travel and for video I also use "dummy", what I don't like is the card below and the starting price something high...thank you!
I'm not certain but it could be the magnification of the optics in front of the viewfinder OLED panel (should be mentioned in the specifications like 0.64x / 0.7x / 0.8x etc)
@@cameralabs I ask because the R7 gets its auto focus system from the R3. While the R8 gets its auto focus system from the R6 Mark2. So was wondering if there is a significant difference in the Subject Detection Auto Focus performance between the R7 & R8. And yes... Thank You Sir for your response!
I’ve seen on the r6ii that while filming it has bars to indicate how close to overheating it is, does the r8 have this too? I’d rather know when I need to drop the resolution/frame rate to avoid an unexpected shutdown!
Good question - I'm not sure as it never got to that point even when I had it recording on USB power for the max clip length of 2hrs, although my room may be colder than yours.
@@cameralabs I don’t have the r6ii, just saw that handy feature on a review. It looked as though it was on the screen the whole time, might have to cycle through the info on screen to get it to appear. It was white bars that turn orange as the camera heats up if I remember correctly.
@@cameralabs I googled “canon r8 temperature indicator” and found an extremely detailed website (user manual). When selecting video mode it gives advance warning that overheating will be possible. If temperature does rise significantly a 10 bar system appears, 1-7 are white, then orange then red. Red = auto shutdown imminent.
