Canon Announces the R8 and R50 Mirrorless Cameras

02/07/2023Link18

Canon aims to lure casual shooters and content makers away from their smartphones and further embed shooters within its ecosystem with its latest mirrorless offerings, the full-frame EOS R8 and the entry-level EOS R50.

Canon EOS R8 and EOS R50 Mirrorless Cameras
Canon EOS R8 and EOS R50 Mirrorless Cameras

The new releases include the EOS R8 and EOS R50 camera bodies in black and the EOS R50 in white, the new RF-S 55-210mm telephoto zoom lens, the ET-60B Lens Hood, the RF 24-50mm wide-to-normal zoom lens for full-frame cameras, an EOS R50 kit featuring an 18-45mm zoom lens in black or white, an EOS R50 kit featuring both the 18-45mm and the 55-210mm zoom lenses, and an EOS R8 kit featuring the RF 24-50mm zoom lens.

Canon EOS R8 and EOS R50 Mirrorless Cameras

Canon has designed the EOS R50 to be the streamer and content creator's first choice for upgrading. Lightweight and compact, the EOS R50 can be used as a web camera, streaming live video in full HD at 30 fps, and can record podcasts and vlogs for longer than 30 minutes at a time. The camera also renders uncropped 4K video at up to 30 fps oversampled from 6K and full HD video at up to 120 fps, and it features a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC X Image Processor, powering the camera's automatic capabilities. For streamers, the Movie for Close-Up Demos Mode ensures that objects presented close to the lens, such as in unboxing videos or makeup tutorials, are properly in focus. The Advanced A+ Assist simplifies auto mode in settings with difficult lighting, and the Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus II system covers the entire sensor area with 651 autofocus zones capable of detecting and tracking people, animals, and vehicles. Pair that with continuous shooting up to 15 fps with the electronic shutter and you'll be hard-pressed to miss the shot.

EOS R50
EOS R50

The EOS R8 is the full-frame upgrade for those already embedded within the Canon mirrorless ecosystem. It also has a 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor and DIGIC X Image Processor, capable of achieving high image quality and wide dynamic range in stills, and features the Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus II system with 1,053 autofocus zones and automatic subject detection and tracking. The R8 is available as a webcam and for livestreaming and can record uncropped 4K at 60 fps oversampled from 6K and full HD at up to 180 fps. At 29.97 fps, the camera can record video for up to two hours for podcasts, vlogs, or other long-form video content. The five-axis Movie Digital IS image stabilization reduces camera-shake vibrations when using the RF lens with optical image stabilization.

EOS R8
EOS R8

To further entice streamers, both cameras feature a Vertical Movie Mode, which allows videos to be played in vertical orientation when viewing on a smartphone, and an Aspect Markers function, which indicates the various social media aspect ratios for simplified compositions. Additionally, both cameras support wired and wireless connection to your smartphone via its USB-C port and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology.

The RF 24-50mm wide-to-normal zoom lens is a lightweight standard zoom alternative for full-frame cameras featuring an f/4.5-6.3 maximum aperture with optical image stabilization. The lens has two aspheric elements and Canon Super Spectra Coating to minimize ghosting and flare. The stepping motor focus drive provides smooth, quiet autofocus when taking video. On APS-C size image sensors, the lens has an approximate equivalent coverage of 38-80mm.

RF 24-50mm Wide-to-Normal Zoom Lens
RF 24-50mm Wide-to-Normal Zoom Lens

The RF-S 55-210mm telephoto zoom lens for full-frame and APS-C cameras features an f/5-7.1 maximum aperture with optical image stabilization. The lens coverage on APS-C size sensors is roughly 88-336mm. The image quality comes from two ultra-low dispersion glass elements, one aspheric element, and Canon Super Spectra Coating to minimize ghosting and flare. The stepping motor focus drive is well suited for smooth, quiet autofocus when taking video. The lens is also compatible with the optional ET-60B Lens Hood to block sunlight, prevent lens flare, and protect the lens from debris and abrasions.

RF-S 55-210mm Telephoto Zoom Lens
RF-S 55-210mm Telephoto Zoom Lens

For more detailed information on these new Canon releases, be sure to visit the product pages. Don't forget to let us know what you think about this latest release slate in the Comments section, below!

Comments

18 Comments

I wish Canon would stop manufacturing these slow lenses for full-frame cameras. I understand including kit lenses on the most entry level cameras, but this 24-50mm seems a waste when combined with a $1500 full frame camera. If you have a $1700 budget, you might as well go APS-C and spend your money where it counts: better lenses. Canon's products of late have not been good for the consumer. I've been their customer since 2007 when I bought my first DSLR, but I've recently abandoned the company because of their odd hardware decisions and pricing. Canon seem to be solely focused on pushing units sold instead of balancing sales and quality products, which is how I think they used to operate in the 2010s. I hope that there's a shift in the coming years, because I do love my Canon products and I'd like to see new products worth upgrading for.

Is there going to be a battery grip available? I tried an R7 and it was just too small for me, especially with a large telephoto lens.

Canon does not currently produce a battery grip for the Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera. Unfortunately, we do not know if Canon plans on manufacturing this part in the future.

I would be very interested in the Canon EOS R8 kit if the lens was 24 to 105 mm, like offered with the Canon EOS RP, not 24 to 50 mm! If you carefully compare the specs of the RP to the R8, you might find that the RP is a much better deal for your particular use. I have the Canon EOS RP now, and will be keeping it at least until I possibly “outgrow “ it, and so I will consider a step up to a more expensive model at that time. So far, I absolutely love the RP for my every day carry camera! 

The main thing the RP was missing compared to its peers was proper video recording for this age. For $500 more you get a new sensor and processor and thus the possibility to shoot 10-bit 4K video which is nothing to scoff at -- but first you need to care enough about getting the video equivalent of the amazing quality photos you can get with the RP. I know this seems enticing for me, considering that previously I would've needed to spend $1000 more on top of those extra $500 to get the R6 II.

I moved from the 6DII to the R6 II. Same sensors as the RP and R8. The sensor in the R8 is vastly better than that of the 6DII and RP. It produces images every bit as good as the R3, and arguably slightly better in some cases. I hope the R8 means that Canon will finally kill the worst bodies they've built in 20 years; the R and RP. I know people seem to like them, but I've never been even slightly tempted by them. 

Can anybody explain Vertical mode ? 

The Canon EOS R8 and EOS R50 Mirrorless Digital Caemras have the ability to save information to its video files to rotate videos that were recorded with the camera held vertically for ease-of-use during editing and post-production usage.  This is beneficial for content creators who shoot vertical videos for sharing on social media, such as YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and Stories, videos recorded for TikTok, etc.  According to Canon USA's website, they state the following: "Movie rotation information can be set during or after movie recording, allowing videos to be played in vertical composition when viewing on a smartphone. The Aspect Markers Function displays visual markers for different aspect ratios that may be desired for posting the same file to various social media sites. This display provides consideration for proper composition for the different deliverable files that can be created when editing."

I have a Canon EOS  77D are my lenses compatible with the R8 or R50 with a converter ? 

Is there a reason why he's talking so fast? Do you want to get through the material or communicate?

If it is faster than you prefer, just slow it down.  Try .75 speed

Does it really bother you this much? 😂. You can’t get away from these bitchy comments anywhere anymore!

Sorry Lou, but these types of videos aren't made for the retirement center. As the others pointed out, in the video screen, click the gear icon and choose playback speed. Good luck.