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Canon has unveiled the second generation of its full-frame EOS R8 camera, which features a revamped retro-style design and a built-in image stabilization system. This feature was previously considered one of the most notable shortcomings of the original R8 model, released in 2023 as a more compact, budget-friendly, and affordable alternative for photographers looking to shoot with a full-frame sensor. Although the new EOS R8 Mark II is slightly heavier than its predecessor, weighing 544 g due to the integrated stabilization mechanism, it remains lighter and less expensive than last year’s EOS R6 Mark III.
The Canon EOS R8 Mark II is expected to hit the market in late October at a price of $1,899 for the body only or $2,099 in a kit with a 24–50 mm stabilized lens. This is more expensive than the original R8, which initially cost $1,499, but less expensive than the EOS R6 Mark III, priced at $2,799, thanks to its simplified specifications and the omission of certain features.
Like its predecessor, the R8 Mark II is equipped with the same 24.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor as the R6 Mark II, while the R6 Mark III features a 32.5-megapixel sensor. The new model will continue to operate exclusively with an electronic shutter – it has no mechanical counterpart – supporting high-speed shooting at up to 40 frames per second. To ensure users don’t miss important moments, the pre-burst shooting feature captures up to 20 additional frames even before the shutter button is pressed.
The in-body five-axis stabilization system provides up to 7.5 stops of shake compensation, a figure that can be increased by pairing the camera with a lens that has its own stabilization. The R8 Mark II also features the proprietary Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system, which offers more precise subject tracking compared to the previous version. The autofocus can recognize animals, vehicles, and people, offering the ability to track up to 10 people by their faces and subsequently prioritize them.
Video capabilities reach 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, though this can be increased to 180 frames per second with a reduction in quality to 1080p. Since Canon positions this model as an option for amateurs, it includes 16 different color filters, a simplified depth-of-field control tool with automatic adjustment of aperture and shutter speed, as well as creative bracketing to capture three shots with varying brightness and color tones.
Unlike other manufacturers who draw inspiration from old film cameras when designing new digital models, the R8 Mark II has ditched the rounded contours of its predecessor in favor of a boxier, more rectangular body. Canon cites the nearly 40-year-old EOS 650, with its distinctive prism protrusion on top, as a source of inspiration. Other hardware improvements include a new multi-controller joystick above the display for easier selection of focus points, as well as a single SD card slot relocated to the side for easy access when mounted on a tripod. The company will also sell a proprietary $99.99 grip extension accessory that makes it easier to hold the camera when working with large lenses.
In October, Canon will release a free Windows app called Dual Pixel 3D Converter, which uses additional autofocus data to generate 3D content from 2D photos. The program allows users to create 3D images with a moving background, models without a background, or short 3D videos featuring an animated perspective shift of close-up objects.
See also: A Small Camera for Big Movies: Sony Unveils the Revolutionary FX5 Cinema Camera with 5K RAW