In a world where mirrorless cameras seem to keep getting bigger, Canon chooses to remember why the tech was so popular in the first place. Geared toward aspiring photographers and those looking to shoot with a smaller footprint, the EOS R8 Mark II stands out among the crowd, delivering full-frame results in a compact, lightweight body. Though this time, it’s received a bit of a facelift.
Users of the first R8 will immediately feel at home with a variety of returning features, though the Mark II isn’t without its updates. Most notably is the body of the camera, which has a much more angular design when compared to the smooth, rounded shapes of previous Canon models.
The R8 Mark II also comes with fewer visible controls, at least atop the camera. The mode dial, power switch, record button, and M-Fn function button all sit in familiar spots, though the video mode switch is noticeably absent from the right side of the EVF housing.
Minimalism might be the goal, but that doesn’t come at the cost of functionality. Canon has finally added the highly sought after multi-controller joystick to the back of the camera, which can be used to maneuver autofocus points, as well as navigate the menus. Additionally, the AF on button has been moved over, putting it in a more comfortable position.
The R8 Mark II comes equipped with a 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor, the same one found in the R8 and R6 Mark II cameras. This decision comes as no surprise, as this sensor delivers excellent quality across all lighting conditions and superb color accuracy, especially for skin tones—one of Canon’s longtime strengths.
Behind the sensor is where things get interesting. Canon has added in-body stabilization with 7.5 stops of compensation at the center and 7 at the periphery. This allows users to shoot confidently in a wider range of lighting conditions without worrying about shutter speeds and fast apertures—although they do help.
Autofocus sees a notable improvement, with the R8 Mark II adopting many of the upgrades found in newer models. Animal and vehicle detection are present, with animal mode being specially developed for pets, birds, and horses, and the vehicle detection function designed around motorsports, trains, and airplanes. The people detection feature can prioritize the subject's head, upper torso, and eyes with left- or right-side priority, or automatic selection of the eye closest to the camera.
Of course, if isn’t broken, don’t fix it! Alongside the 24.2-megapixel sensor, many of the R8’s best features return. The EOS R8 Mark II is capable of shooting continuously at 40 fps when using the electronic shutter. This is perfect for nailing birds in flight, fast-paced sports, or even the odd hair flip here and there. Note that this is not a stacked or partially stacked sensor, so rolling shutter distortion may occur when panning.
Luckily, keeper rates have been improved with larger overall buffers when shooting at these fast frame rates. If recording in JPEG format, the R8 Mark II sees a 58% increase in buffer performance, allowing users to shoot up to 190 shots. RAW shooters gain a 30% increase over the original R8 and are now able to shoot up to 73 shots.
The EOS R8 Mark II offers 16 color filters to apply creative visual storytelling to both stills and videos. Additionally, the camera features a Positive and Negative FilmTone to recreate the brilliant, nostalgic aesthetic of classic analog film directly in camera. Alongside these creative filters are 14 SCN presets tailored for night scenes, smooth skin portraits, and beyond.
Content creators have much to look forward to, with the return of vertical movie mode alongside 4K60p 10-bit internal video and Canon Log 3 recording. Movie mode Image Stabilization also makes a comeback, and with a built-in microphone and headphone jack, users have an all-in-one rig ready for anything they throw at it.
Advanced color grading is now possible with the Custom Picture Mode, which provides the aforementioned Canon Log 3 with up to 14 stops of dynamic range, HDR video options such as PQ and HLG, alongside two 709 options. For added detail or to slow things down in post, the camera is also able to record Full HD at up to 180p. The EOS R8 Mark II also features a slow and fast mode, to easily capture slow or fast motion timelapses in camera.
Available alongside the EOS R8 Mark II will be a new optional EG-E2 Extension Grip that significantly improves handling for those with bigger hands, or those seeking more control and comfort when working with larger lenses. This grip, much like its predecessor, features a built-in tripod socket, so there’s little to no impact to overall functionality.
Lastly, let’s talk about connectivity. As with other EOS R-series mirrorless bodies, the R8 Mark II features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, meaning it can pair with smart devices seamlessly for control or image sharing via Canon’s app.
Join us tomorrow, September 16, at 12:00 p.m. EST, for a live, hands-on look at the all-new Canon R8 Mark II!
The R8 Mark II is the perfect choice for those looking to shoot on the go. It’s small, lightweight, and delivers exceptional, professional results in an unassuming package. The camera will be available standalone, or in a kit paired with the RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM. If you’d like to learn more about the R8 Mark II, check out the detailed product page.
