CANON EOS R8

Remarkably light and powerful full-framer, the R8 tries to balance the latest technology with some ergonomic compromises

- Gareth Bevan

Canon has come a long way since launching the original Canon EOS R nearly four years ago. At the end of 2022, the R series was up to 11 camera bodies and 31 lenses, and after producing some of the best Canon cameras to date, from the flagship EOS R3 to the entry-level EOS R10, Canon is not slowing down with another two cameras (the R8 and R50) and two lenses added to the roster.

The latest EOS R camera from Canon is the EOS R8, which despite being named one numerical value above the APS-C-equipped Canon EOS R7, the R8 is actually sporting a full-frame sensor. Canon says the EOS R8 sits in its line-up between the Canon EOS RP, its entry-level full-frame camera, and the EOS R6 Mark II, for serious enthusiasts and professionals. And you can see how they have got there, the EOS R8 is a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster of the two, whether it is an upgraded Canon EOS RP, or it is a compromised EOS R6 Mark II.

In Canon’s DSLR system, the full-frame range doesn’t go any lower than the EOS 6D. However, Canon is showing a keenness with their mirrorless range to hit every form factor at a much wider range of price points. Originally causing some surprise with the announcement in 2019 of the EOS RP, undercutting rivals on price, although with some fairly significant concessions.

The Canon EOS R8 sits in the middle between the RP, which remains in the lineup for now, and the EOS R6 Mark II, offering some significant savings over the more advanced model.