R v R8

[KMR13]

Hi - it’s me again🙃

So I I hadn’t heard about the R until I read a post on the canon R Facebook group ….searched  l here —-didn’t find much:  
I was planning to buy an R8 after much thoughtful consideration & discussion in this  forum

I’m re-entering the camera market having been away from using a DSLR - I owned a Rebel T1 or T2i !!!! To recap  I like shooting swim meets (for daughter, 2 seasons left) but mostly , beach pics, large birds (in Florida they practically pose for you!)… pets, family events, nature/ outdoors and seashells I arrange in mixed media with other found objects.

I don’t really want a camera for its video capabilities (not a content creator) — it’ll be nice for the teens to use, maybe, butchers iPhones…  so video is not my reason for buying - I prefer full frame as I still have 2 EF lenses.

So I saw a discussion about the R over the R8 and that has me wondering:  . , would I i get an equivalent but less expensive camera if I go with the R instead of the R8 ?

What do I lose photographically if I choose an R over anR8 ? Or vice versa?

I am going to an in-store vendor event this Friday and was told to expect some pretty significant discounts.

Budget is around $1200-1500.

[justadude · Accepted solution]

Hi Karen,  I gave you some good info on your Facebook post in the Canon group on this question.  Hope you had a chance to read it, but just in case...

As someone who owns the RP, R8, R6 Mk ll, and also has owned various Canon DSLRs, I know where you are coming from, and can offer my opinions from actual use on the mirrorless models.

First, even with a lower price, forget the RP. The R8 offers an autofocus system that is leagues ahead of the RP. Also, dynamic range has improved a lot, and low light capabilities of the R8 leave the RP in the dust. You are also talking about 4 years of advancement in the sensor and processor.

As for the Canon R, it does offer more megapixels, but in all honesty, megapixels are overrated. One of my clients had billboards made with photos I was hired to take for them, and these were with an older 12MP camera. Anyone that tells you that the R8 images won’t be able to be enlarged as much, or cropped as much… check around and find out how large we were making prints 15 years ago with much lower megapixel cameras. With the R8 I have often made 30”x40” prints for clients that are very sharp, very clear.

The biggest negative of the Canon R is it came out in 2018… the R8 has an advantage of 5 years newer technology. It has the same advantages as I mentioned over the RP as far as dynamic range, low light capabilities, and a crazy fast autofocus system.

[stevet1]

KMR13,

The R was introduced in 2018. The R8 was introduced in 2023.

The R is bigger and heavier. 660g vs. 461g.

Here is a website that compares the cameras side-by-side.

https://photographylife.com/comparison/canon-eos-r-vs-canon-eos-r8

You can look at the features and specs to see what might appeal to you more.

Steve Thomas

[KMR13]

And 5 years difference could be an issue with new computers. I use a 2023 MacBook Pro. Lots of different ports compared to the 2016-2018 era MacBooks. 

[KMR13]

Yes. Read that and another one on DP Review. Both seem to state the R8 is better unless ann incredible deal is found on the R or the RP for that matter. 
Going from old camera to iPhone 13 back to a camera do anything is going to be better than that! 

[shadowsports]

Between these two, the R8 wins all the way as stevet1 points out.  

[justadude · Accepted solution]

Hi Karen,  I gave you some good info on your Facebook post in the Canon group on this question.  Hope you had a chance to read it, but just in case...

As someone who owns the RP, R8, R6 Mk ll, and also has owned various Canon DSLRs, I know where you are coming from, and can offer my opinions from actual use on the mirrorless models.

First, even with a lower price, forget the RP. The R8 offers an autofocus system that is leagues ahead of the RP. Also, dynamic range has improved a lot, and low light capabilities of the R8 leave the RP in the dust. You are also talking about 4 years of advancement in the sensor and processor.

As for the Canon R, it does offer more megapixels, but in all honesty, megapixels are overrated. One of my clients had billboards made with photos I was hired to take for them, and these were with an older 12MP camera. Anyone that tells you that the R8 images won’t be able to be enlarged as much, or cropped as much… check around and find out how large we were making prints 15 years ago with much lower megapixel cameras. With the R8 I have often made 30”x40” prints for clients that are very sharp, very clear.

The biggest negative of the Canon R is it came out in 2018… the R8 has an advantage of 5 years newer technology. It has the same advantages as I mentioned over the RP as far as dynamic range, low light capabilities, and a crazy fast autofocus system.

[ctitanic]

I would go for the R8 without thinking twice.

[March411]

Watch the Header names they switch after each new category. These comparisons drill down into just the camera specs

Canon EOS R vs Canon R8 Comparison 

[justadude · Accepted solution]

It's nice to see that this website for Camera Compare keeps improving.  I noticed that last year when I was comparing brands and models, and again just now when I took a look at the R vs. R8 that they have added even more.  However, I have noticed in the past that occasionally they get a few specs wrong, so it's always good if you decide on a model to double check the specs at the manufacturers web site.    

[March411]

Agreed, I've spotted some variance and have a tenancy to double check. The header flop on the changing paragraphs is an odd style when doing a compare but that's their style I guess.