Canon EOS R8
Announced February 8, 2023
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
Canon EOS R8 is a lightweight, full-frame mirrorless camera that packs the high-end sensor and autofocus performance of pricier models into a compact body. Although it lacks some professional hardware like in-body stabilization and dual card slots, it remains a highly capable and accessible option for photographers prioritizing image quality and portability.
Weighted from 40 reviewer scores
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design that improves portability
- Strong video capabilities including uncropped 4K60p and C-Log 3
- Exceptional autofocus system with advanced subject tracking
- High-quality 24.2MP full-frame sensor inherited from the EOS R6 Mark II
- Fast burst shooting up to 40fps with electronic shutter
Cons
- Poor battery life and small battery capacity
- Lack of in-body image stabilization
- Single memory card slot with awkward access
- Absence of a dedicated autofocus joystick
- Lower resolution viewfinder and display
- Launch price $1,499 (USD)
- Sensor 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Video 4K 60p
- Stabilization In-body IS, 7.5 stops (CIPA)
- Burst 40 fps electronic 6 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 40 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 9/10
Should you buy it? Yes, if you’re looking for a solid camera with “pro” features, the Canon EOS R8 is for you. It’s the best full-frame Canon you can get without paying significantly more.
- DPReview 87/100
While the EOS R8 is hardly the highest-performing camera we’ve seen from Canon lately, it is an exemplary entry-grade option.
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If you’re looking for a full-frame camera with the benefit of IBIS, Sony’s A7 III and the original Lumix S5 are roughly the same price, and it’s not a huge jump to the two grand point of models like the Lumix S5 II or indeed the original EOS R6.
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Its 4K60p video, 40fps bursts, advanced autofocus, and excellent dynamic range make it an appealing choice.
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Quite simply, it delivers great images shot after shot. Rarely have I used a camera that I’ve enjoyed so little, yet which has impressed me so much with the pictures it produced!
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In the R8, Canon gives us high-end features and functionality in a compact, lightweight, low-priced camera. The R8's imaging sensor was inherited from the still-relatively-new, much-higher-priced EOS R6 Mark II.
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At $1500 USD the EOS R8 is destined to be one of Canon’s best selling cameras.
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Basically, it's an excellent images camera for anyone who doesn't do particularly strenuous photography, for serious hobbyists on a budget or anyone else who happens to want that gorgeous 24 megapixel full-frame sensor at an affordable price.
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All things considered, the Canon EOS R8 delivers the imagery Canon is known for. With its semi-professional sensor and autofocus system, you’ll love the results!
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Now, what I'm finding is that this is a lot of technology and a lot of performance packed into a very small bundle.
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The Canon R8 is a well-made, slick and efficient new mirrorless hybrid camera that delivers on handling and performance.
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The new Canon EOS R8 is a successful fusion of the smaller, lighter body and simplified control layout of the entry-level EOS RP with the sensor, processor and auto-focus system of the prosumer EOS R6 II.
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To wrap it up, Canon did a masterful job with a fifteen hundred dollar R8 all the way around. If I'm confident enough to take it as my only camera to Paris or confident enough to use it on a job, then I'm confident it will get the job done in your hands.
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If you are enamored with the features of the EOS R6 Mark II, but your budget cannot stretch to that higher model, then this is the camera to consider.
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All these positives are enough for the R8 to earn our Editors' Choice award among its entry and midrange competitors.
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The Canon EOS R8 is one of the cheapest full-frame cameras on the market, and while it is missing some high-end features you won’t find a better full-frame camera for this price.
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The Canon EOS R8 squeezes many features of the pricier EOS R6 Mark II into a compact and lightweight build. It has the same 24.2MP full-frame image sensor, Canon’s incredible autofocusing system, a 40 fps burst rate and impressive 4K video performance.
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The Canon EOS R8 is a great value with loads of features. We really liked the camera and would recommend it to those looking for a capable 4K camera with great autofocus.
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In so many ways, the R8 represents the perfect first or second camera.
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This is the best camera that you can get for fifteen hundred dollars and for some of you it's gonna be the best by far because this inherits a lot from the Canon R6 II but it's really more than just a baby brother with a smaller lighter more plasticky body to it.
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This is like what the A7 III was a couple years ago at $2000; that was like the gold standard for a hybrid camera. This is now like the gold standard for a more entry level camera at 1500 and what for what it offers.
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Historically, Canon has been known to lay the ‘cripple hammer’ down on cameras that try to fill this niche, but in a very nice change of pace, Canon instead made the R8 a compact powerhouse of a camera.
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If you're looking to get into the full-frame mirrorless game and want to shoot Canon without breaking the bank, the Canon EOS R8 is the camera to beat. For our money, we wouldn't go with anything else from Canon's line-up for shooting astro on a budget.
- SlashGear 7/10
I feel very conflicted about the Canon R8. In a lot of ways, it's the most advanced camera system that I've ever handled, but it also has a lot of little things missing that make it kind of a chore to use.
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The Canon EOS R8 is a brilliant camera for photographers who value portability and refuse to compromise on image quality. It delivers full-frame performance at a price point that would have seemed impossible five years ago.
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At the end of the day, this camera is performing really nicely.
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If you want to have a camera as a backup camera or even as a travel camera or as an everyday carry and take advantage of what a full-frame sensor can do, I don't think you can go far wrong with an R8 and 24 to 105.
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I can live without a lot of the other things. But if you can afford to step up to the R6 II I think that’s probably a better choice for you if you have the money.
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I think it's aimed towards beginners probably that are wanting to take the craft more seriously, because you can still get great results with a camera like this, and it's packed full of features that will be useful if you want to do both photo and video.
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For 99% of people out there, the R8 is literally the perfect camera and 100% worth your money.
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If you consider this camera a replacement for your EOS R and EOS RP, you don't need second thoughts.
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The R8 is an ultralight, ultra-high performance and high-speed full-frame camera.
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We'd recommend the Canon EOS R8 as a brilliant camera for those wanting to upgrade from their old DSLR camera (crop-sensor or full-frame) if they also want to upgrade their lenses and camera gear with time.
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[...] I think you're getting a great deal on the Canon EOS R8.
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Realistically, this is now sitting as the entry-level full-frame option, and I think Canon have done a great job of just walking that line between a camera for someone still learning, and then a camera for someone who needs to get good results.
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The Canon EOS R8 is an incredible camera; its battery life really holds it back, but it's not too big of a deal as long as you're okay with hauling around a bunch of extra batteries.
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I was just impressed of how much it could do for this price point, and was amazed how far entry-level full-frame cameras, or particularly this one, have come.
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[T]he Canon EOS R8 gets my full recommendation.
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If you are thinking about getting this Camera, it comes highly recommended, and of all the cameras I've reviewed in the year 2023, I would say that this is probably my camera of the year.
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The Canon EOS R8 is a great choice for the photographer looking for a high powered camera without all the bells and whistles.
