Canon EOS R8. Is it Canon’s lightest, smallest, most versatile and most affordable full-frame mirrorless camera yet? Let’s see how it works.
I’m really pleased to test this new full frame camera from Canon and I can honestly say it’s like the lightest full frame camera I’ve ever tested, weighing in at just 414g. Like my previous R6 Mark II review I won’t go into the details of the specs (can be found This) but to review my experience using Canon R8 for last week. I tested this with Canon RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM . Lens. It’s a great combination and fits a multi-purpose camera as a great backup for wedding photographers, a lightweight, handy camera to use. everyday and is a great and fast sports camera with good low light capabilities. efficiency.
Video recording is also excellent, and it’s capable of recording 4K up to 60p oversampled. However, as a photographer, I wouldn’t use it for this purpose and only mention it to those looking for a worthy full-frame capable camera. First of all, a big thank you to Canon UK, especially Jaime Chan and Frankie Jim, for lending me and trusting me with the Canon R8 and Canon 24-50 f/4.5-6.3 kit for review.
The initial settings I changed from Default settings are as follows
- Image quality from L to raw.
- Shutter release has no tag to Off from On.
- Sequence offset to -0+ from 0-+.
- Custom buttons changed M-Fn to AF Point selection.
- Enable the back button focus by changing the shutter button to Start Metering from Start Metering and AF and the AF ON button on the back to Start Metering and AF.
- I have also customized my Menu tab by enabling/disabling Battery Info, Format and On/off beep.
- I set the AE Lock button to Set ISO speed (hold down the dial) because the lens doesn’t have a control ring for me to use.
- I also changed the AF point button to Direct AF Area Selection because it was easier for me
scene 1
Tasked with taking some pictures of my friend’s new rooftop apartment, I knew I wanted to use the camera’s dynamic range to capture highlights and shadows, while capturing some details. great at that, along with the R8’s excellent low-light performance, I wasn’t wrong. His new apartment features mood dimming with great views and high-contrast areas that often produce difficult-to-detail shots in dimly lit and burnt areas.
Photographing the inside is easy, but on that day, with the weather outside being extremely bright, dynamic contrast range will be tested to its limits.
Using the on-camera HDR mode with EV up to 3+ meant I got the shots I wanted within the dynamic limits of this scene.
Needless to say, I think he’ll be very pleased with these. The R8 performs well in these situations and is a good choice for this shot, preserving detail in the areas it needs without obvious banding (even when using handheld).
scenario 2
Street photography is really not my hobby. I’m not good at it, and it’s definitely a skill to master. However, I can see that this camera would be ideal for this style of photography as it is small, light and easy to hold. Taking the R8 for a walk means trying to capture some images that can show just how much detail the R8 can capture.
While I loved these old phone boxes, it was hard to see them when they were vandalized and most are now unused for telecommunications. Some have been repurposed into stations with defibrillators (not this one). Capturing color is important, as it is symbolic of the history of these boxes.
This is one of my favorite places to go to Penarth, the detail and sharpness of the R8 is outstanding and can’t be faulted.
I’m really pleased with the results and while I don’t see myself entering the genre any time soon, it’s good to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try new things.
What I like about the Canon R8
It is small, light and portable. What’s not to like? As a professional photographer, I can definitely consider this camera in my pocket as a solid backup camera. I have large hands, so if in the future this is combined with a battery grip, this would be an ideal combination. Currently, there is no battery grip for this model, but I read that it is compatible with Canon EG-E1 . Extension Grip, which should be easier in my ape-sized hands (though I haven’t personally tested this). It has most of the functions you’d normally use found on more expensive models and is very reasonably priced. $1,499 or $1,699 when bundled with the RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens. It has excellent dynamic range and up to 40fps burst shooting, plus a raw 30fps burst rate with 0.5s of pre-record.
What I don’t like about the Canon R8
the battery. I think having to carry around a lot of different batteries will probably make me uncomfortable in the long run. Owning the R6 and EOS R means owning a battery that is compatible with all the different cameras I own, and I have a lot of these. While this shouldn’t be an issue if this is the only camera you own, having a cross-compatible battery means not having to rummage through my bag for different batteries when changing in when shooting. Ergonomically, having the card slot near the battery is a bit strange to me, like all my previous Canon cameras it’s under a flap on the side, but this was a problem for me. in possession of previous models. I guess people new to R8 will have no problem with this.
My final thoughts
This is a great camera at a very reasonable price with lots of great features. If I had more money, I’d probably buy one to spare in my bag, but this won’t be my primary camera body. For that, I would use Canon R5 and Canon R6with the backup being Canon EOS CHEAP (although the next change of camera body will be R6 to R6 Mark II). For enthusiasts, this is a great option. The great benefits of performance, speed, and weight in low light mean that if you’re trying to lighten up your kit, this could be the solution for you.
