Canon EOS R8: first reviews, specs and opinions. Good quality & friendly price?
How to describe it in one sentence? This is EOS R6 II tech in a smaller, compact body. But there’s more to know.
Canon says this full-frame mirrorless camera is for amateur photographers, but we’re always curious if the new “baby” can work in dental or intraoral photography. 24-megapixel sensor, Dual Pixel AF, the DIGIC X processor, AI-driven subject recognition – we know them already from EOS R6 II, but thanks to the lighter body the EOS R8’s price is much more friendly. And we must say, the sensor and processor are quite impressive for the price.
Canon EOS R8 main features
The camera weighs just over a pound (461 grams) with a battery, SD card, and no battery cap. It measures 5.22 x 3.39 x 2.76 inches (132.5 x 86.1 x 70.0 millimeters). There’s also a responsive and comfortable vari-angle touchscreen. The camera’s weight can be a big advantage for those of you who get easily tired with heavy dental cameras, we’re pretty sure female dental photographers will also appreciate this feature. On the other hand, heavy lenses and light bodies won’t provide proper balance, so, if you’re strong enough, we’d recommend choosing a more massive camera.
One SD card slot isn’t a huge issue, but something you’ll need to get used to. Changing the card won’t take long, after all!
The HDR feature is always important for dental photographers: it’s helpful when it comes to spot the details on a dental photo.
The control layout is simplified in this smaller body. You don’t get a joystick, there’s a simple D-pad rather than a rear wheel, and there are less buttons to customize. Some of the functions are harder to find, if you like to have them all at hand, take this under consideration
Dual Pixel CMOS II AF with tracking AF available for all modes will be useful while taking intraoral photos. But there’s more: Flexible AF can be paired with Eye Tracking and this feature is not to be underestimated when it comes to portrait shooting.
The camera uses a smaller battery which is also found on the Canon R50. Canon did not provide CIPA ratings for the battery in the R8, though in PetaPixel’s testing, the battery ran out before a full day of mixed video and still shooting.
Usual connection options are available: a multi-function shoe for compatibility with a range of accessories including external flash, 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 4.2, and MFI for direct connection with an Apple device, in addition to Android devices.
We’re not professional video makers, but let’s notice the possibility of recording 4K UHD at 60p for up to 30 minutes.
The camera doesn’t have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) which can cause a difficulty while macro shooting – a heavy 180 mm lens can upset the balance. If you’re taking photos under continuous light, the lack of IBIS can be even more noticeable.
Canon EOS R8: our verdict & price
- good idea if you’re a lighter dental cameras fan
- good idea if you’re aiming for the R6 photos quality, but don’t want to spend as much money; please remember that shooting and camera control will be more difficult
- honestly, dental photographers, it’s up to you! Combining a lighter camera with a heavy lens can influence the balance and it can be less stable to hold. Our work requires long hours standing up or in an uncomfortable position; the R6 will be more expensive, but will also provide comfort.
Body alone, the R8 will cost $1,500. The kit with the R8 and 24-50mm are set to be priced at $1,700.
Key specifications:
- 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor
- Up to 40fps continuous shooting with e-shutter (6fps with mechanical)
- 30fps Raw Burst mode with 1/2-second pre-buffering
- Full-width 4K video from 6K capture at up to 60p
- 10-bit C-Log3 or HDR PQ video capture
- 10-bit HDR HEIF option
- 2.36M dot OLED viewfinder (0.7x magnification)
- Fully-articulated rear screen
- 4-channel audio with optional XLR adapter
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