With the Canon R8 Mark II you can do it better, but not for longer
The latest system camera from Canon is an overall success. However, it also has a completely unnecessary weak point.
There is an English saying: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. With the new Canon EOS R8 Mark II, it feels a bit like the manufacturer has done exactly that. The design of previous Canon cameras was anything but broken, and the ergonomics were excellent. Nevertheless, the body has now been completely redesigned and will likely be found in similar form in future cameras.
Ergonomics and handling
The angular design is intended to be reminiscent of Canon SLR cameras from the 1980s. However, it cannot be denied that it also resembles Sony cameras. I find that a pity, because I like it when brands also differ externally. Furthermore, I always found the ergonomics at Canon to be slightly better than at Sony.
However, the new design does not feel bad at all. Where the fingers and the ball of the thumb sit, the body is still sufficiently rounded. For my taste, the grip could have been a bit thicker. My fingers hit the front, even though they are not particularly long. But that has less to do with the new design and more to do with the fact that the R8 Mark II has a compact body. It can be expanded with a grip. In fact, that feels more comfortable. However, it has no influence on the index, middle, and ring fingers.
It is almost superfluous to mention: everything feels very solid, nothing rattles, creaks, or is loose. The buttons have the right resistance, not too light, not too stiff.
The camera has no mechanical locks, but it does have a lock button. The mode dial cannot be locked with it, but it is not prone to accidental shifts.
A clear improvement is the mini-joystick, which is missing on the predecessor model. This makes it easier for me to move the autofocus field. It can also be useful for menu navigation.
Image stabilizer: only advantages
The second major innovation compared to the predecessor is the built-in image stabilizer (IBIS, in-body image stabilization). Unlike the new design, this is uncontroversial and unquestionably positive. However, it was also a bit odd that the first R8 didn't have one – Nikon's competing model, the Z5, had one from the start.
The image stabilizer enables handheld shots at night. It is also useful in more light: the ISO can be turned down, and the images have less noise. Finally, the IBIS enables a steadier image during video recordings and a less shaky viewfinder image during telephoto shots. The CIPA value of 7.5 stops meets today's standards and makes a huge difference compared to cameras without a stabilizer.
Sports and wildlife no problem
In the recent past, Canon has also installed autofocus systems with good subject recognition in its affordable cameras. I first noticed this during the test of the Canon EOS R50. So I expected a lot – and I was not disappointed.
A first short test with basketball and soccer jugglers showed correctly focused images almost across the board. After that, I focused on birds. I was positively surprised that the subject recognition even works through tree branches and leaves. That had been difficult to impossible in all tests so far.
Otherwise, the recognition also worked without any problems. Even if the bird is dark and the eye is practically invisible – the subject recognition focuses on the eye. I also caught larger birds in flight without any problems. However, the rather low resolution is a disadvantage there, as it is rarely possible to get a bird large in the frame. You are better off with an R5 there.
With the pre-recording function, you can record photos «retroactively» for half a second if you hold the shutter button halfway down. Unlike in the past, these images are now saved as normal shots and are no longer put into a cumbersome container format. It's a pity that the function is only available at the maximum speed of 40 FPS and not, for example, 20 images spread over one second.
The buffer memory is sufficient for 73 RAW images or 190 JPEGs. That is 30 percent more than the predecessor, which is usually enough. Because you are tied to 40 FPS with pre-recording, it can get tight. And the camera needs at least ten seconds to write the contents of the buffer to the card. During this time, you cannot take any photos.
The mechanical shutter is slow at six frames per second by today's standards. However, it is the only way to prevent the rolling shutter effect. Fortunately, this is not too pronounced. In my popular fan test, the R8 Mark II performs hardly worse than the Canon EOS R6 Mark III or the Sony Alpha 7 V.
Practical video function
Pre-recording is also available for videos – here with a comfortable three or five seconds. Photo and video modes are separate, although you can also spontaneously record a video in photo mode. With 4K videos, there are no compromises even at higher frame rates of 50 and 60 FPS: oversampling quality guarantees sharp recordings and the image section remains the same. 4:2:2, 10 bit, and Canon Log 3 are also included.
Practical for videos is the fully articulated screen, on which you can see yourself. A tally light signals from the front whether the recording is running. Unlike the predecessor model, the card slot is on the side. This allows you to remove and insert the memory card without taking the camera off the tripod. However, there is still only one card slot. Here, too, I refer to the Nikon Z5, which already had two slots in the first version.
The HDMI connection runs via a micro socket. Micro-HDMI is a bit fiddly, but that is normal in this price range. For a full-size HDMI socket, you have to switch to the much more expensive R6 Mark III.
The camera can automatically defocus – a cool effect at the end of a video or before a cut. It is difficult to achieve this consistently and always the same way by hand. This defocus function is well hidden in the button assignment settings. You can, for example, assign it to the asterisk button and choose the speed and degree of defocusing. If I press the button during a recording, the camera gradually defocuses.
However, you can also see a slight jerk when I press the button. I haven't found out whether the effect can also be triggered via the smartphone app – the app did not yet recognize the camera at the time of testing.
I also briefly tried out the product presentation. The camera automatically focuses on an object held into the camera – and switches back to face detection when the object is gone. I first saw this feature six years ago on the Sony ZV-1, and it is now also available on other brands. Canon calls it «Autofocus for close-up demos». It works perfectly.
What is not so great
The sensor is exposed when changing lenses. Only with the most expensive models does Canon offer the option of the shutter curtain covering the sensor when switching off to protect it. I don't quite understand that – a clean sensor is neither a luxury nor a professional feature.
The biggest weakness of the R8 Mark II is clearly the battery. The capacity of the LP-E17 is only 1040 mAh – that is extremely low; even a reasonably modern compact camera like the Canon G7x III has more. Accordingly, the battery life is short. With 4K and 50 FPS, the battery lasts for just 40 minutes of video. At least the camera does not overheat during this.
Furthermore, the battery indicator is inaccurate. I cannot even display a percentage in the menu. I only see whether the battery is full, half full, or a quarter full. That caught me off guard during the test: the battery was just shown as full, and barely an hour later the red warning message was flashing and I had to go home. A second battery is mandatory with this camera.
In a nutshell
With a second battery, that works
Most cameras are capable of taking good portrait and landscape photos. However, the Canon EOS R8 II is also suitable for sports, action, and wildlife photography. The autofocus subject detection is excellent, the burst rate is very high, and pre-recording is a welcome addition for action and wildlife photography. With 4K60 oversampling, a tally light, a presentation mode, and a defocus function, the video feature offers a practical and powerful overall package. The R8 Mark II uses an older sensor that is neither particularly fast nor particularly high-resolution. This is the main difference compared to an expensive model like the R5 Mark II. The other points of criticism are also typical for a camera that is not positioned in the high-end segment – and therefore not surprising. The price-performance ratio is definitely right. The only thing I don't find acceptable, even at this affordable price, is that Canon does not use a larger battery. That would not only improve battery life but also ergonomics, as the grip would be larger.
Pro
- very good subject recognition
- high continuous shooting speed
- Joystick
- good performance in low light
- Pre-recording
- practical video features
- moderate price
Contra
- poor battery life
- imprecise battery indicator
- mediocre resolution
- Pre-recording only at maximum speed
- Rolling shutter and slow mechanical shutter
- no slot for a second memory card
- Sensor unprotected during lens change
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
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