Is the Canon R8 Really Worth the Hype?

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The Canon R8 is one of the most powerful cameras available under $2000, but is it worth the hype? I tested the camera out in the field and uncovered one fatal flaw that keeps this from being the perfect mid-budget camera.

Chapters:
0:00 Canon R8
0:11 The Body
1:52 Photo Quality
2:17 Burst Speed
3:12 Video Quality
3:46 Overheating Test
5:29 Battery Life
6:45 Autofocus
7:30 Image Stabilization
8:54 Who's it for?

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[jeffgaboury]

I bought my R8 when it first came out. It represents two "firsts" for me. It is my first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and it's my first full frame camera. It's excellent AF system, excellent image quality and fast burst capabilities have made it my primary go to camera for wildlife and other fast action. As I don't use video much (rarely), the battery life is acceptable, with two batteries getting me through any shooting scenario. I couple it with the excellent RF 200-800 for wildlife, although I also have the RF 100-400 as an alternative lightweight setup. I never use the 40 fps, as it only shoots for 1.5 seconds, so I extend my buffer by using 20 fps and I use C-RAW, so I can get nearly 3 seconds in a burst, which is generally plenty. It has largely replaced my 7D II and EF 100-400 (original) for wildlife shooting.
Areas where it could improve:
Even 20 fps takes a LOT of shots. But the camera has nothing between 6 fps and 20 fps. The ability to set a burst rate (say dial it down to 8, 10, 12, 15 etc.) would be very welcome. This feature has been added to the R5 Mark II, but I don't think they'll add it to the R8 in a firmware, which is s shame. It's kind of weird too, as it's a feature they added to the 7D II, ten years ago. On that decade old camera, there are only two burst modes, slow and high. But the camera's maximum burst of 10fps, while nothing to write home about today, was blazing fast at the time and is more than adequate for wildlife shooting. But you could "dial in" the speed you wanted for both the slow and high modes - from 1-9 on the slow mode and 2-10 on the fast mode, if I recall correctly. Very flexible. I left the high burst on the 7D II at 10. The slow mode defaulted to 3 fps, but I raised it to a more useful 6 fps. But the ability to customize fps to a huge degree was great and I'm not sure why they removed it.

Great review. I LOVE my R8. It's scratched my full frame itch and it is a powerhouse for the price. It's effectively 70-80% of the R6 II's capabilities, but it's about $1, 200 cheaper (here in Canada).

[Aviator]

For a photography enthusiast like me, the R8 is a great full-frame camera for the money and I just got one. For the battery, you can get a hand grip for the RP, fit 2 batteries in it, and instantly double the time. Yes, an RP hand grip works on the R8 too as they have the same body. The R8's got almost all the capacities of the R6 II, except the number of external buttons and sensor-shift IS. Mind you, both the R10 and R50 are APS-C cameras.

[diamondstateautoandchats]

Ive used it for a plethora of paid jobs and it does everything i need plus more.

[SquillagusNiggle]

The R8 is my main camera and I wouldn't use anything else except a better R8. Full frame, much smaller and lighter than you expect, and the only real loss to the bigger bodies is expensive tech like stacked-sensors which are overkill for almost everyone, IBIS, and a joystick. IBIS and a joystick would make an R8-II an insta-buy for me, but I've used this camera for travel and wildlife and it is basically 'invisible', the *lens* becomes my primary concern because I know the R8 will just do its job like a trooper. The battery life problem by the way can be solved with a small USB-C power bank and super-slim cable; the R8 can run directly off Power Delivery.

[aaronmelson]

I have this, my first mirrorless and love it. I am a big fan of small camera bodies. I do dislike how bad the battery life is but for me it's no big deal.

[computersarecool]

For videographers btw you can get a usb c adapter for the lpe17 and connect it to a correct spec anker battery with power delivery. I do that and it works fantastically.

[morgyreeves]

I have a lot of love for the R8 and think it's an amazing camera for the price. I used it for my first paid job just over a year ago and have been using it to build up my content creation business to where I left my 9-5 a couple of months ago. I've been using it for both photo and video, image quality is great, autofocus has been amazing and the AI subject tracker has been brilliant for motorsports when setting it to "car mode". For video it's been a beast, I have 4 batteries (2 canon and 2 3rd party) and usually have it rigged up with a v-mount when shooting video, but even then, most shoots I set up a charger and have never been caught short with battery. Overheating has gotten a little close on a few occasions, only on extended shoots in hot environments (one was an upstairs of a restaurant surrounded by big glass windows and was practically a greenhouse). I've just upgraded to an R5C, thanks to the business the little R8 has brought in and it's still firmly cemented as my B-Camera, there's even things I prefer on it! (quicker switching between photo and video, 180fps slow-mo, Car tracking AF)

[JoeCastellon]

I would recommend getting a battery grip. I use one with my RP and never worry about battery even in full day shooting. The same grip fits the R8 (I tested it with two R8's my friends have). Works perfectly.

[saint_vespere]

Appreciate the close ups, best vid on this camera I've found

[hugomigueld]

Just buy a battery grip for R8 and put 2 batteries in. It solves battery issue and overheat a little bit. 😉

[KeirMurphy]

I don't mind the battery life that much as the batteries are very small. But, what I don't like is that there's no proper battery monitor so you're not sure how much capacity is left until it goes off the cliff and you miss shots.

[Cayled]

Canon got me on this. First I got 28mm and 50mm prime lenses for around 450€ more in France, and I was happy with it for traveling. Although I spent a lot of time changing lenses...
Besides trips, I'd like to take photos at events in low light too so zoom capability and IS would be welcomed to.

Now.... I can't get my eyes off the brand new RF 28-70 f/2.8 IS lens which costs 1300€, almost the price of the camera itself. 😅
I feel that this 5.5 stops image stabilization combined with zoom capability are gonna be a gamechanger.

So, here's my conclusion. It a good body overall, but still pricy if you consider the lens, you're gonna spend at least 2.6k€ to enjoy it.

I hesitated a long time with the fuji X-T5 which has excellent specs as well. APS-C Sensor with 50Mpx gives good cropping options. The IBIS in the Fuji and the bundle with the fujinon XF 16-80 f/4 @2.3k€ make it a competitive alternative. APS-C lenses are more compact which is good for traveling, you've got plenty of third party lenses that are cheaper than canon's equivalent in full frame.
Although low-light capability, autofocus, are gonna be better on the R8.
In the end I picked up the R8 in case I wanted to upgrade my body, so I could reuse my full frame lenses, but I liked the image apect on the FUJI too

[sdhute]

Canon needs mid range lenses between those buzzy stm motor lenses and the L glass.

[BrianLera]

I upgraded from the canon 77D. Back then, that camera cost close to $800. I picked up this camera new for only $1100. Battery life does get me but other than that it’s everything I needed. Great video, bro.

[DanielPetre]

Or you can bring a PD (power delivery) small 10000 mAh usb-c battery and power the R8 without problems for hours

[computersarecool]

I use it recording indoor and outdoor recitals. Definitely gets hot with extended recordings.

[edalvarez]

The battery isn’t an issue if you power it off a V mount though

[RJHall-popu]

@josephmartin Was the b-roll portion when testing overheating graded footage or c-log, or a LUT applied?

[stéphane_bab]

Thank you very much for this review. I often use my camera to shoot timelapses and the battery will be an issue. Do you knpw if it's possible yo plug a powerbank via usb ?

[CornPopsRazor]

Canon RP grip fits on Canon R8 body from my understandable. That would probably fix battery life.