Canon EOS R8 Mark II

Canon’s EOS R8 Mark II builds upon the compact R8, inheriting the same 24 Megapixel full-frame sensor with uncropped 4k up to 60p, but now coupled with IBIS stabilisation and packs it into a more angular-looking body reminiscent of some film SLRs from the 80s. Canon’s also fitted a joystick, improved the buffer and low-light focusing, but the viewfinder, screen, and small battery remain the same as before, and while the card slot has moved, there’s still only one. Of these, the modest battery life is arguably the biggest issue, but equally it allows a fairly compact body. In Canon’s range the R8 Mark II makes sense, slotting between the R8 and higher-end R6 II and III, with the more sophisticated models giving you a bigger battery, more detailed viewfinder, twin card slots and optional battery grips. Previously you’d need to step up to these if you wanted IBIS, but now the R8 II gives you this and a bonus joystick at a lower price. Indeed for many people the presence of both means they no longer need to invest more in an R6 or higher, and still enjoy it in a fairly compact body. But many of those higher-end bodies are now old enough to be discounted during sales. For example the Sony A7 IV, Lumix S5 II, Nikon Z6 III and Canon’s own R6 II all feature bigger batteries, more detailed viewfinders, twin card slots and the chance to use battery grips. All have fluctuating prices which at certain times come close to the launch price of the R8 Mark II, although all are also a little larger and heavier. So the value of the R8 Mark II depends when you’re shopping, as well as how important are its size, weight and styling. I think Canon’s done a good job at equipping the R8 II with the extra features most people desire without the greater heft and complications of higher-end bodies. At the right price, the R8 II will make a lot of sense to a lot of people, and if you can live without IBIS and a joystick, the discounted original R8 becomes the bargain in the series.

The EOS R8 II never really feels like a compromise, even if, in some ways, it is.