Canon EOS R8 – Your First Full-frame Mirrorless to elevate your Content Creation

Canon announced two new cameras to their Canon EOS R family line-up with the Canon EOS R8 and EOS R50. In this camera news article, I would be sharing more information and details on the Canon EOS R8, an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera that inherits many of the powerful and still shooting features of the EOS R6 Mark II, along with the portability of the Canon EOS RP.

“Video is the norm in today’s digital and social media landscapes. The EOS R8 provides an affordable entry point for content creators who want to get serious about videography and improve their production capabilities. With its compact form factor, the EOS R8 is Canon’s lightest full-frame mirrorless camera. Combined with the affordability, we are confident that this camera will appeal to budding content creators.” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore.

Canon’s Smallest and Lightest EOS Full-frame Mirrorless Camera Allows You to Stay Agile

Weighing at approximately 461g (with battery pack and SD card), it’s 20g lighter than the Canon EOS RP. The compact and lightweight EOS R8 allows you to stay agile, giving you an edge when it comes to creative camera angles and transitions. 

The EOS R8 is equipped with Movie Digital IS, therefore camera shake would no longer pose a problem when shooting handheld videos. This digitally performs tilt correction as well as 5-axis image stabilisation during video shooting. Even when using lenses with no optical image stabilisation (Optical IS), you can still be ensured of stable handheld videos.

When combined with a lens that has Optical IS, the 2 systems perform coordinated control for enhanced image stabilisation results. 

A Suite of Recording Options to Meet Different Production Needs

Whether you are shooting an event coverage or a budding filmmaker producing documentaries to short films that require more post-production work, the EOS R8 is equipped to tackle the different requirements and workflows to produce stunning video.

High-quality Source Footage from 6K Oversampling – up to 4K 60p

The EOS R8 is equipped with a newly developed 24.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor that enables 6K data to be obtained from its entire width, producing high-quality crop less oversampled 4K UHD footage at up to 60p.

For productions whereby you need to leave the camera rolling, the EOS R8 has heat suppression measures that allows you to shoot up to 4K 30p with no recording time restriction, and up to 30min at 4K 60p.

Dramatic 6x Slow Motion Video with Full HD 180p

If you need to shoot more dramatic scenes, shooting in Full HD at as high as 180p will produce 30p output with action slowed down to 1/6 the speed. Rolling shutter distortion is reduced to almost half that on the EOS RP when shooting at 4K 30p/25p.

HDR PQ Video and Canon Log 3: HDR Options to Suit Your Post-Production Workflow

Besides normal 8-bit recording, the EOS R8 offers 2 options for recording 10-bit 4:2:2 HDR video. HDR PQ provides amazing dynamic range and beautiful colours straight out of camera when viewed on a HDR display. Meanwhile, Canon Log 3 offers the same level of information that is not “baked-in”, offering more flexibility for heavier post-processing workflows that involve colour grading. 

Consistent and Seamless Focus

Focus is crucial for both photograph and videography, and it is near impossible to correct in post-production. The EOS R8 has the same Dual Pixel CMOS AF II technology as the EOS R6 Mark II, allowing it to nail focus effortlessly during both still and video shooting. 

Acquire Focus in As Fast as 0.03 seconds (1)

The EOS iTR AF X system not only detects and tracks people, animals, and vehicles by deep learning, it also identifies other subjects and “locks” onto them using characteristics like shape, colour, and brightness. Users can experience fast and accurate focusing. It helps the camera to acquire focus in as fast as 0.03 seconds, and track subjects tenaciously over 100% x 100% (horizontal x vertical) of the image frame. With the EOS iTR AF X system, this makes it ideal for photographing birds, wildlife and action shots.

Works Even in Low Light

The low light limits of up to EV-6.5 (2) for stills and EV-4 (2) for video mean that the AF operates even in dark conditions. This works with the camera’s high native ISO speed ranges of up to ISO 102,400 (still photography) and ISO 25,600 (video shooting) to enhance low light usability. 

Professional Cinema Camera Features

These features in the EOS R8 will help to elevate your video creations:

• Focus breathing correction: reduces visible fluctuations in the angle of view during focusing. 
• False colours and zebras: advanced visual aids for exposure adjustment and setting.
• Aspect marker display: for easier framing of video to fit various social media dimensions.
• UVC (USB Video Class)/UAC (USB Audio Class) support: Plug-and-play direct transmission of audio and Full HD video to a computer with just a USB connection; ideal for live-streaming.

It also features the Multi-function Shoe, a digital interface that enables a cordless digital setup with compatible accessories such as external microphones.

2 New Lenses: RF24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM and RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM

Along with the Canon EOS R8 announcement, Canon has also announced the addition of 2 new lenses to the RF lenses line-up, both of which offer up to 4.5 stops equivalent Optical IS and support for focus breathing correction.

RF24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM: The Smallest, Lightest RF-mount Zoom Lens for Full-frame Cameras 

Weighing approximately 210g and measuring 5.8cm when retracted, the RF24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM complements the compact EOS R8, to form a 671g combination that is lighter than the EOS R5 body alone! It covers a wide-angle to standard view on a full-frame camera, offering compositional flexibility that sets it apart from similarly sized prime lenses. 

Equipped with 4.5 stops’ Optical IS, the lens will empower users to explore new angles. It also supports enhanced stabilisation through Coordinated Control IS with cameras that feature Movie Digital IS (3) and In-Body IS: for the latter, up to 7 stops’ IS is possible.

RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM: An Ultra Portable Telephoto Zoom Lens for APS-C EOS R camera bodies

APS-C EOS R camera users who want a compact, lightweight telephoto lens to match their camera bodies now have the RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM, which weighs approximately 270g.  The new lens provides a full-frame equivalent angle of view of approximately 88 to 336mm, with semi macro capabilities (up to 0.28x magnification) and close-up shooting (closest focusing distance of 0.73m) at the tele end. The use of two UD lenses and two optically placed aspherical lenses correct chromatic aberrations, delivering high-resolution and sharpness with excellent colour throughout the entire zoom range.

Initial Thoughts and Views from short hands on media session

EOS R8

During the media preview session, I had a short hands on session with the Canon EOS R8. The form and built factor is very familiar for me as I am using a Canon EOS RP. The Canon EOS R8 is an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera, it has inherited many wonderful features for both stills and video from the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. 

The lightest full-frame Canon camera, packed with powerful features and capabilities, the Canon EOS R8 would make an ideal first full-frame mirrorless camera for users to elevate your content creation, video production as well as your full-frame photography.

With the announcement of the Canon EOS R8, consumers now have more full-frame camera options for them to choose from, that would suit their budget and requirements. Consumers would now have additional options for a hybrid camera for their content creation, photography and videography with the Canon EOS R8.

RF24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

A very compact and lightweight RF lens. This focal length would be ideal for travel, street and daily use, if they don’t require to shoot subjects further away with a longer focal length.

RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM 

A compact and lightweight telephoto lens for APS-C EOS R camera users, ideal for travel and shooting subjects much further away.

Here are some sample photos that I shot with the Canon EOS R8 pre-production set during the media preview session.

Take Note: 

• Photos shared above were shot with the pre-production set during the media preview session. 
• The photos shot with the Canon EOS R8 pre-production set are shot as it is (jpeg and straight out from the camera with no further edits) and it’s not meant to be a review of the Canon EOS R8.

The above points are just my initial thoughts and views from my short hands on media session with the Canon EOS R8 and new RF lenses. I hope to go deeper into this Canon EOS R8 full-frame mirrorless camera some time down the road when I get the opportunity to test it out for review and I would be able to share more of my in-depth experiences, thoughts and views of the Canon EOS R8.

Pricing and Availability

The local Singapore pricing and availability of the Canon EOS R8 and new RF lenses would be updated below accordingly when the information is made available. 

Update 29th March 2023

• EOS R8 Kit (R8 Body with RF24-50mm IS STM lens) – SGD $2,669
• EOS R8 Body – SGD $2,329

Canon EOS R8 Launch Promotion (29th March to 12th April 2023)

From 29th March until 12th Apr 2023, any purchase of the Canon EOS R8 will come with a 32GB SD card and exclusive launch gifts that include $100 CapitaMall e-Vouchers, a 128GB SDXC card, and a premium USB-C cable.

Terms and Conditions apply, please refer to the brochures below for more information.

* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Gloo *

Notes

1. At a focusing brightness of EV 12 (ISO 100), at room temperature, in M mode, with RF24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM, shooting still photos with the shutter button, 1-point AF (center AF point), and One-Shot AF
2. When paired with an f/1.2 lens (except lenses with DS coating), central AF point, One-Shot AF, normal temperature, ISO 100
3. Angle of view becomes narrower when Movie Digital IS is turned on.

Technical Information

Canon EOS R8

RF lenses