Canon presents two cameras and two lenses
8.2.2023
Translation: machine translated
Canon is launching two entry-level cameras: the R8 with a full-frame sensor and the R50 with a smaller APS-C sensor. There is also a new lens for both sensor sizes.
With the EOS R8, Canon will be offering another mirrorless camera with a 35 mm sensor from spring 2023. It is relatively inexpensive, but has some powerful features. This is because it inherits the sensor and autofocus from the new and much more expensive R6 Mark II. The R8 therefore recognises and tracks subjects just as well as the R6 II. The image quality should also be largely identical to that of the R6 II. You can read about what this camera can do in the test report on the R6 II by my colleague Samuel.
The most important key data of the Canon EOS R8:
- Small format sensor with 24.2 megapixels
- Autofocus motive detection and tracking as with the EOS R6 Mark II
- Autofocus also works in low light down to -6.5 EV
- Maximum sensitivity of 102 800 ISO
- Videos with 4K and 60 FPS without crop, downsampled from 6K (oversampling)
- 40 photos per second with electronic shutter
Nevertheless, the R8 is not an R6 II in favour. There are some differences that explain the significantly lower price of the R8:
- No built-in image stabiliser
- With mechanical shutter only 6 instead of 12 frames per second
- No video in 6K RAW
- Only one memory card slot
The R8 also has a completely different housing. For example, the mini joystick for quick positioning of the focus area is missing. The housing is based on the EOS RP model. The on/off switch has been changed and now has a lock position in the centre. There is a wheel on the left-hand side that switches between photo and video mode.
The R8 is expected to be available at the end of April 2023.
Canon RF 24-50mm 4.5-6.3 IS STM
A new lens is being launched at the same time, which is also available together with the EOS R8 in a kit. It has a focal length of 24 to 50 millimetres and a lens speed of f/4.5 to f/6.3, which is not much, but the lens is small and light. At 210 grams and 58 millimetres long, it is said to be well suited for vlogging.
Canon EOS R50
The new Canon EOS R50 is a camera with an APS-C sensor. It is cheaper than the R7 and R10, which also have an APS-C sensor. Accordingly, it can also do less. However, it offers something that no other Canon has so far: Presentation autofocus. If you hold an object in front of the camera, it is automatically focussed. If you put it away, the camera focuses on the eyes again. I was previously only familiar with this effect from the vlogging cameras Sony ZV-1 and ZV-E10.
The most important features:
- APS-C sensor, 24 megapixels
- 15 photos per second with electronic shutter
- Very compact
- No built-in image stabiliser
Canon currently has two systems for mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor, as there is also the EOS M system, which will most likely not be developed any further. In terms of price and performance, the R50 comes close to where the cameras for EOS M are located. And two mirrorless systems for the same sensor format don't make sense for Canon in the long term anyway. The basic advantage of the R cameras over the M cameras is that the RF full-frame lenses can also be attached to them.
The EOS R50 is expected to be available at the end of March 2023. It will also be available in white, but then only in a kit with a (black) lens.
Canon RF-S 55-210 F5-7.1 IS STM
The complicated name stands for a telephoto lens suitable for the R50. It would also fit on the R7 and the R10, i.e. on all R cameras with an APS-C sensor. The lens is very light for a telephoto lens: it weighs only 270 grams. However, the lens speed of f/7.1 at 210 millimetres is not the best. Incidentally, the image section corresponds approximately to that of 300 millimetres in 35 mm format.
Cover picture: Canon
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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