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Home → Comparison

Canon EOS R vs Canon EOS R8: What Should You Get?

By Jason Polak No Comments
Last Updated On September 27, 2024

The Canon R was Canon’s original entry into the realm of full-frame mirrorless. Five years later, Canon released a worthy update: the Canon R8. How do these two entry-level mirrorless cameras compare?

Canon EOS R8 Official Product Photo

Canon EOS R vs Canon EOS R8 Specifications Comparison

Camera FeatureCanon EOS RCanon EOS R8
AnnouncedSeptember 2018February 2023
Camera TypeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor TypeCMOSCMOS
Image ProcessorDIGIC 8DIGIC X
Resolution30.3 MP24.2 MP
Pixel Dimensions6720×44806000×4000
Sensor Dimensions36.0 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame)36.0 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame)
Sensor Pixel Size5.36µ6.00µ
Low Pass FilterYesYes
IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)NoNo
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Max Native ISOISO 40,000ISO 102,400
Extended ISOsISO 50-102,400ISO 50-204,800
High-Resolution Sensor ShiftNoNo
Focus Stack BracketingNoYes
Pre-Shoot Burst ModeNoYes
Fastest Shutter Speed1/80001/16000
Longest Shutter Speed30 seconds30 seconds
Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter)8 FPS6 FPS
Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter)8 FPS40 FPS
Notes for High FPS ShootingNo autofocus at 8 FPS (autofocus at 5 FPS)12-bit raw at 40 FPS (14-bit raw is available at 6 FPS)
Buffer Size (Raw)47 frames (8 FPS)56 frames (40 FPS), 1000+ frames (6 FPS)
Autofocus SystemHybrid PDAFHybrid PDAF
Autofocus Points1431053
Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100)-4.5 EV-5 EV
Standard Flash Sync Speed1/2001/200
Curtain to Protect Sensor at ShutdownYesNo
Video Features
Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal)8 bits10 bits
Maximum Video Bit Depth (External)10 bits10 bits
Raw VideoNoNo
4K Maximum Framerate30 FPS60 FPS
1080P Maximum Framerate60 FPS180 FPS
Additional Video Crop Factor1.74x crop at 4KNo
Chroma Subsampling4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External)4:2:2
Video Recording Limit30 min120 min
Physical and Other Features
Card Slots11
Slot 1 TypeSD (UHS-II)SD (UHS-II)
Rear LCD Size (Diagonal)3.2 in3.0 in
Rear LCD Resolution2.1 million dots1.62 million dots
Articulating LCDYesFully Articulating
TouchscreenYesYes
ViewfinderEVFEVF
Viewfinder Magnification0.76x0.70x
Viewfinder Resolution3.69 million dots2.36 million dots
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Voice MemoNoNo
Headphone JackYesYes
Microphone JackYesYes
Built-in FlashNoNo
GPSNoNo
BluetoothYesYes
WiFiYesYes
USB TypeType C 3.1Type C 3.2 Gen 2
Battery TypeLP-E6NLP-E17
Battery Life (Viewfinder)350 frames150 frames
Battery Life (Rear LCD)370 frames370 frames
Battery Life (Eco Mode)560 frames440 frames
Weather SealedYesYes
Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card)660 g (1.46 lbs.)461 g (1.02 lbs.)
Dimensions (LxHxD)136 x 98 x 84 mm (5.3 x 3.9 x 3.3″)133 x 86 x 70 mm (5.2 x 3.4 x 2.8″)
Price Comparison
MSRP, Body Only$1800 (Check Current Price)$1500 (Check Current Price)
Used PricesCanon EOS R Used PricesCanon EOS R8 Used Prices

Conclusion and Remarks

It’s safe to say that Canon provided entry-level full-frame users an upgrade in almost every way, except of course in terms of resolution. The original R is 30MP whereas you’ve only got 24MP in the new R8.

But besides that slight resolution drop, the R8 has a much better autofocus system than the original R in both photo and video modes. That, combined with the massively increased burst rate in electronic shutter mode makes the R8 a bit more capable, though there is still a fair amount of rolling shutter with the R8 so you’ll still have to be a bit careful when shooting fast action with the electronic shutter.

The R8 also has massively upgraded video capabilities, with 10-bit video over the R’s 8-bit video. You also gain 4K60 over the original R’s 4K30, and that’s without a crop, whereas the original R had a crop at 30fps. The 180FPS in 1080P also is a nice addition.

Canon EOS R Image Sample #1
The EOS R is still a capable camera, but the R8 is better in almost every way. Canon EOS R + RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM @ 35mm, ISO 200, 1/8, f/5.6
Copyright © Nasim Mansurov

Users upgrading from the R might also be delighted at the weight savings of almost exactly 200g, or almost 2/5ths of a pound. To be honest, that was not something I expected from the R8. The only thing I was wishing for in the R8 upgrade is IBIS, because even the Nikon Z5 has IBIS, but I guess you can’t have everything.

Obviously, the R8 is a better camera in almost every way, and if you happen to be deciding between these two cameras, the R8 is the way to go unless you can find an amazing deal on a used R.

What does the Canon EOS R offer over the Canon EOS R8?

  • 1.25 times more megapixels (30.3MP vs 24.2MP)
  • Higher resolution electronic viewfinder, with about 1.6x more dots, making shooting more enjoyable
  • Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 200 more shots according to CIPA measurements

What does the Canon EOS R8 offer over the Canon EOS R?

  • Lighter weight (199g lighter or about 1.4 times lighter)
  • Better high-speed options with 40 FPS top speed, and a bigger buffer at more modest FPS rates

Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!


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About Jason Polak

Jason Polak is a bird and wildlife photographer from Ottawa, Canada. He has been interested in photography ever since he received a disposable film camera as a small child. His career as a mathematician led him to move to Australia in 2016, where he started seeing colorful parrots. A few casual shots with a lens completely unsuitable for birds got him hooked, and now wildlife photography is his biggest passion. Jason loves to show the beauty of animals to the world through photography, and one of his lifelong goals is to photograph five thousand species of birds. You can see more of Jason's work on his website or on his YouTube channel.

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