The Canon EOS R8 Mark II is the follow-up to Canon’s lightweight full-frame R8. Canon kept the same 24.2MP resolution but added 5-axis in-body stabilization, a feature the original R8 did not offer. Here is everything confirmed so far, what it means on paper, and what we plan to test.
Canon EOS R8 Mark II at a Glance
- Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame CMOS with the DIGIC X processor
- Stabilization: 5-axis in-body stabilization, rated up to 7.5 stops at the centre and 7.0 stops at the periphery
- Burst speed: 40fps with the electronic shutter
- Video: 6K-oversampled 4K 60p with 10-bit internal recording
- Weight: about 499g body only, or 546g with battery and card
- Lens mount: Canon RF
Release Date and Price
Canon USA’s online store lists the lens kit at “as low as” $2,099, with an estimated arrival of October 20. That page was inconsistent when we checked, showing a pre-order status alongside a discontinued notice, so treat the date as unconfirmed. The body-only price was not clearly listed on the page we reviewed. For comparison, the original R8 launched at $1,499 body only. Always confirm the current price and stock with your retailer before ordering.
What Is New Compared With the Original R8
In-Body Image Stabilization
This is the biggest change. Canon describes the Mark II as the lightest EOS body with stabilization to date. On paper, that should help with handheld video, slower shutter speeds and lenses that lack their own stabilization. Canon says the system can combine in-body and lens-based correction, with a separate mode aimed at edge blur on wide-angle lenses.
Faster Handling
Canon added a new multi-controller joystick for moving focus points.
Bigger Buffer and Pre-Capture
Canon claims 30% more continuous RAW shots and 58% more continuous JPEG shots than the original R8. The camera also offers pre-continuous shooting at 20fps in the H+ mode, with a buffer of up to 73 RAW frames. These are Canon’s figures, and we will test them in real shooting.
Comparison Table: R8 vs R8 Mark II
| Feature | Canon EOS R8 | Canon EOS R8 Mark II |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame | 24.2MP full-frame |
| In-body stabilization | No | Yes, up to 7.5 stops (Canon claim) |
| Buffer | Baseline | 30% more RAW, 58% more JPEG (Canon claim) |
| Pre-continuous capture | No | Yes |
| Joystick | No | Yes |
| US launch price | $1,499 body | Kit listed from $2,099 |
Autofocus: What Canon Promises
Dual Pixel CMOS AF II uses deep-learning detection for people, animals including horses, and vehicles including aircraft and trains, with eye, face, head and body tracking. Canon lists an AF working range down to EV -7.5 and a Register People Priority feature. Real-world tracking performance is what we most want to test, particularly with erratic subjects.
Video Features
On paper this is a capable small-body video camera.
- 4K up to 60p oversampled from 6K, and Full HD up to 180fps
- Canon Log 3, HLG and PQ, plus LUT support
- A tally lamp, vari-angle LCD, and USB-C for livestreaming and charging
Overheating and recording limits are not yet documented in the sources we reviewed, so we will cover them after testing.
Viewfinder, Screen and Shutter
- EVF: 0.39-type OLED with 2.36M dots, up to 120fps and 0.70x magnification
- Screen: 3.0-inch vari-angle display with 1.62M dots
- Shutter speeds: mechanical up to 1/4000 s and electronic up to 1/16,000 s
Connectivity and Storage
The camera has dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, 10Gbps USB-C, Micro HDMI, mic and headphone jacks, and a multi-function shoe. It has a single UHS-II SD slot, which may matter if you shoot paid events and want backup recording.
The Kit Lens: RF24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
The lens kit includes a compact, lightweight retractable zoom. Its modest maximum aperture suggests it is a travel-friendly starter lens rather than a low-light or portrait lens, which we will confirm in testing.
What Looks Promising
- In-body stabilization in a very light full-frame body
- Faster burst shooting with pre-capture
- Broad subject detection
- 4K 60p video with Canon Log 3
What to Watch Before You Buy
- Only one card slot
- No resolution increase over the original
- A slow kit lens in dim light
- Higher pricing than the first R8’s launch
- Unconfirmed items: battery life, exact dimensions and weather sealing
Who Might Want It
On paper, the Mark II suits travelers, hybrid shooters and vloggers who want a compact full-frame body with stabilization. If you do not need stabilization, the original R8 may still be the better value while stock lasts. If you need dual card slots or higher resolution, this camera is not aimed at you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the Canon EOS R8 Mark II have in-body stabilization?
Yes. Canon lists a 5-axis system rated up to 7.5 stops.
2. How many megapixels does it have?
It has a 24.2MP full-frame sensor, the same effective resolution as the original.
3. How fast can it shoot?
Up to 40fps with the electronic shutter.
4. Does it shoot 4K 60p?
Yes, with 10-bit internal recording from 6K oversampling.
5. How much does it weigh?
About 499g body only and 546g with battery and card.
6. How many card slots does it have?
One UHS-II SD slot.
7. What lens mount does it use?
Canon RF. EF and EF-S lenses work through the Mount Adapter EF-EOS R.
8. Does it support Canon Log?
Yes, Canon Log 3, plus HLG and PQ.
9. What is the release date and price?
Canon USA lists the lens kit from $2,099, with an estimated arrival of October 20, but availability was unclear. Check with retailers.
10. Is it better than the original R8?
On paper it adds stabilization, a bigger buffer and a joystick while keeping the same sensor resolution. We will update this answer after testing.