Canon has announced the EOS R8 Mark II, a successor to its compact full-frame mirrorless camera from 2023. While it retains the 24.2MP resolution of its predecessor, the new model adds in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), faster continuous shooting and several features previously reserved for higher-end EOS R cameras.
The EOS R8 Mark II measures approximately 131.4 x 90.0 x 79.7mm and weighs around 546g. This makes it larger and heavier than the original EOS R8, which measured 132.5 x 86.1 x 70.0mm and weighed approximately 461g, although Canon says the new model is the smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless camera with IBIS.
A New Look And A Joystick
The most obvious difference between the two generations is the design. While the original EOS R8 uses a rounded body with a relatively smooth profile, the EOS R8 Mark II adopts a more squared-off design with styling cues inspired by Canon’s classic EOS 650 SLR film camera.
The redesigned body also introduces a more horizontal shutter-button area and an angled right corner when paired with the optional Extension Grip EG-E2. The grip can be attached or removed by turning a dial, while also providing a tripod mount and access for changing the camera’s battery.
The EOS R8 Mark II also gets a multi-controller joystick for autofocus-point selection, which was absent from the original R8. This allows users to adjust autofocus while keeping their eye on the electronic viewfinder, and should make the camera more familiar to users moving up from higher-end EOS R models.
IBIS And Faster Shooting
The biggest hardware upgrade is the addition of five-axis IBIS, which the original EOS R8 did not have. When paired with a compatible RF lens featuring optical image stabilisation, Canon’s Coordinated Control IS provides up to 7.5 stops of stabilisation at the centre and seven stops at the edges.
The electronic shutter can now shoot at up to 40fps with continuous autofocus and auto-exposure. Canon also says the EOS R8 Mark II can capture 58 percent more JPEG images and 30 percent more RAW images in a burst compared with the previous model. Pre-Continuous Shooting is also available, allowing the camera to record up to 20 frames, equivalent to around half a second, before the shutter button is fully pressed.
Upgraded Autofocus
The EOS R8 Mark II uses Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system, with autofocus coverage extending across 100 percent of the frame. It supports subject detection and tracking for people, animals and vehicles, with Canon claiming improved tracking performance compared with the original EOS R8.
It also introduces Register People Priority, a feature previously found on higher-end EOS R models. Users can register specific people so that the camera prioritises them for autofocus tracking, which can be useful when shooting subjects in crowded scenes.
More Creative Controls
Canon has added several in-camera creative options to the EOS R8 Mark II, including the new Positive Filmtone and Negative Filmtone colour filters. These join the existing selection of Colour Filters, while Handheld Night Scene mode also gains additional colour settings.
The camera introduces a Creative AUTO mode that provides creative assistance through a simplified interface. Background Blur is also available in movie mode, allowing users to configure a defocused background effect, while Slow & Fast Motion Movie and Cinema View modes are included as well. The interval timer has also been expanded with features including exposure smoothing, timer priority and delayed start options for greater control over time-lapse shooting.
Video Remains Familiar
Video specifications are similar to those of the original EOS R8, with the EOS R8 Mark II capable of recording 6K-oversampled 4K at 60fps and uncropped Full HD at up to 180fps.Β The camera supports 10-bit 4:2:2 recording with Canon Log 3 using HEVC or AVC codecs at bitrates of up to 250Mbps. Video autofocus also benefits from the camera’s updated subject detection and tracking capabilities, while Canon has added enhanced stabilisation modes for video.
For creators who livestream, the camera supports four wired and wireless livestreaming options, including multi-angle livestreaming through the Live Switcher Mobile app. Custom Picture is also supported, including Custom LUTs and advanced picture-control adjustments derived from Canon’s Cinema EOS range.
Built For VR And 3D
The EOS R8 Mark II supports compatible full-frame and APS-C VR lenses for VR content creation. Its new VR Clear Mode is designed to improve contrast and clarity when viewing the resulting footage through VR goggles. Canon is also introducing Dual Pixel 3D Converter software, which can turn still photographs into 3D models using distance information obtained from the camera’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF system.
For conventional shooting, the camera features a 3-inch 1.62-million-dot vari-angle touchscreen and a 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder. Storage is handled through a single UHS-II SD card slot, while the LP-E17 battery is rated for up to 340 shots in power-saving mode.
Pricing And Availability
In the US, the EOS R8 Mark II is priced at US$1,899 (~RM7,740), while shipments are scheduled to begin in late October. However, Canon Malaysia has yet to reveal its local pricing or availability.
(Source: Canon Malaysia press release / official website)
