Is the Canon R8 the best budget full-frame camera for wildlife photography?
If you considered Canon’s early full-frame mirrorless cameras for wildlife photography, such as the R6 and R5, too expensive, there might be an excellent solution for you: the new Canon EOS R8.
With Canon releasing several new wildlife crop sensor cameras for wildlife photographers on a budget, the R8 is the first full-frame option for a reasonable price.
In this article, I will provide a first look at the Canon R8 for wildlife photography and answer a fundamental question: is the Canon R8 the best budget mirrorless camera for wildlife photography?
If you’re a wildlife photographer considering buying the Canon R8, this article will offer a first look at what the camera offers before you order it.
The blog post is divided into the following sections you can scroll to:
Canon R8 specifications
Autofocus
Size and weight
Frame rate
Low light performance
Price
Canon R8 specifications
The Canon EOS R8 is considered an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera, featuring the 24.2 MP CMOS sensor from the EOS R6 II. It also adds Canon's latest state-of-the-art autofocus system and improved video to a similar body as the older EOS RP.
Weight: 414 g (461 g with card and battery)
Dimensions: 132.5 × 86.1 × 70.0 mm
Sensor size: 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor
ISO: 100-102,400 native range (expandable to 204,800)
Autofocus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II (recognizes and tracks people, animals and vehicles)
Maximum continuous shooting speed: 40 fps (electronic shutter) / 6 fps (electronic first curtain shutter)
In addition to these primary specifications, the Canon R8 includes ergonomic features, such as a full-articulated rear screen, a 2.36M dot OLED viewfinder (0.7x magnification), and a weather-resistant body. It also has the 30 fps Raw Burst mode with 1/2-second pre-buffering, known as pre-capture mode on other systems and allows you to capture images before even pressing the shutter.
Ergonomics
The Canon R8 has a smaller body and ergonomics similar to the Canon RP, an entry-level body many photographers have found simple for shooting.
The weather-resistant body includes two control dials at the top of the grip and a single SD card slot in the battery compartment under the camera. Compared to other models like the Canon R10, which includes a joystick, the Canon R8 instead has a D-pad on the bottom right of the camera. Although I have grown used to using the joystick on the R10, I have depended on the D-pad for years on my Nikon cameras, like the Nikon D500, so I don’t think it’s that big of an issue.
Read more: Why the Nikon D500 is one of the BEST Cameras for Wildlife Photography in 2022 (Review)
Canon R8 benefits for wildlife photographers
Dunlin | Canon R10 + Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM | ISO 800, 1/2000, f/8 @ 400mm
Autofocus
In wildlife photography, the eyes of an animal are everything. Thankfully, the Canon R8 has the legendary Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which recognizes and tracks animals and their eyes, making autofocus much easier than it ever was on a DSLR. The Canon R8 shares the same autofocus system as my Canon R10.
If the Canon R8’s autofocus is anything like the Canon R10, it will help you get an astonishing amount of shots in focus, exponentially more if you were previously a DSLR shooter!
Animal autofocus helps you rely on the camera to find your subject faster than before and reduces the manual workload. In other words, as wildlife photographers, we can focus more on the art and experience in the field, rather than fiddling with the autofocus points, which causes us to miss more shots than needed.
Size and weight
Size and weight are two crucial factors for wildlife photographers. The smaller and lighter your camera is, the easier it is to use and walk around with it.
In all my years of wildlife photography, I have learned that these two factors can make your experience more enjoyable.
The Canon R8 weighs 461 g, slightly more than half my Nikon D500 (860 g) and a little more than my Canon R10 (429 g). It’s also smaller than my DSLR, making it easier to pack when traveling.
Frame rate
Apart from excellent autofocus, having a high frame rate can make the difference between getting an award-winning photo and missing it altogether. In this area, the Canon R8 doesn’t disappoint, offering up to 40 fps continuous shooting in electronic shutter mode.
In my wildlife photography, very high frame rates give me more opportunities to capture the shot I want, and it can also be for you. For example, if you have to shoot at incredibly slow shutter speeds in low light, the faster the frame rate, the higher the chances of one of your photos from the burst being tack sharp. In a recent shoot, I had to use shutter speeds of 1/100 or slower to achieve proper exposure. Shooting at 23 fps on the Canon R10 helped a lot, meaning the Canon R8’s 40 fps would help even more.
Despite excelling in its electronic shutter mode, its electronic first curtain shutter shoots at a maximum speed of 6 fps, which is on the slow end. Speaking from experience with the Canon R10, I hardly use mechanical or electronic first curtain shutter, so the slower frame rate is not much of an issue for most wildlife photographers.
The effect of rolling shutter is always a concern for cameras with electronic shutters. According to my research, since the Canon R8 shares the same sensor as the Canon R6 II, it should have a readout speed of around 14 milliseconds, making it faster than every Canon camera available except the Canon R3 and Canon R6 II. Generally speaking, rolling shutter should not be a significant concern when shooting the Canon R8.
What is rolling shutter in wildlife photography? Rolling shutter is a mechanism in a mirrorless camera in which a picture is captured by scanning across the sensor from top to bottom. In other words, the camera does not capture all parts of the scene at the same instant. Photographing fast-moving subjects, like birds in flight, can result in warped wings if the camera’s readout speed is not fast enough. In global shutter, the method used in DSLRs, the entire frame is captured at once, meaning the readout speed is immediate.
Low light performance
Low light performance is crucial for wildlife photographers, as many animals are most active during dawn and dusk. Fortunately, the Canon R8 has the same sensor as the Canon R6 II and a native ISO range of 100-102,400, which is expandable up to 204,800. This means shooting with ISO of up to 6400 and sometimes above should be manageable in most cases, since this is one of the best sensors for this use.
Price
When researching the Canon R8, the price stood out the most. This new camera will be available in Spring 2023 for $1499 (the same price as the Canon R7), which based on its specifications alone, seems like an absolute steal.
Considering the camera incorporates world-class autofocus and tracking, excellent size and weight, incredibly fast frame rates, and a top low light sensor for less than $1500, it automatically makes it a fantastic choice for wildlife photographers on a budget.
To put things into perspective, a similar full-frame option from Nikon would be the Nikon Z6 II, which costs $400 more, but lacks animal autofocus and tops out at 14 fps continuous shooting compared to the Canon R8’s 40 fps. In addition, the Nikon Z6 II is heavier at 615 g.
If you’re in the market for a kit lens, the EOS R8 will also be available with a new retractable 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS kit zoom lens for $1699.
What’s missing in the Canon R8?
White stork | Nikon D500 + Nikon 300 PF + 1.4x TC | ISO 160, 1/1000, f/7.1 @ 420mm
The Canon R8’s many strengths leave few limitations for wildlife photographers interested in getting the most value for their money. This is especially true for beginners or individuals on a budget.
I have observed some minor limitations that may put off people accustomed to the highest-end gear.
One missing feature is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). However, this is hardly an issue if you use RF lenses, like the Canon RF 100-400, which have incredible IBIS.
Additionally, the readout speeds of the camera are slower than some other models, which can limit the buffer, and the camera only has one memory card slot. In my time shooting the Canon R10, which also has only one, it hasn’t been a limiting factor. If you’re keen on backing up your photos to a second memory card or aren’t a fan of changing them more frequently, this might be something to consider.
The R8 has an electronic and electronic-first curtain shutter, but lacks the fully mechanical shutter of other cameras, such as the Canon R5 and R6 II. This leads to slower frame rates (6 fps) in electronic-first curtain mode.
Overall, there aren’t many downsides to the Canon R8 for almost all wildlife photographers. However, does the same hold true if you compare it to its earlier, pricier competitor, the Canon R6 Mark II?
Canon R8 vs Canon R6 Mark II
Iberian ibex | Nikon D500 + Nikon 300mm f/2.8 | ISO 900, 1/200, f/2.8
Wildlife photographers will inevitably compare the Canon R8 to the R6 Mark II for several reasons, including that they were released just a few months apart. So, what exactly are the differences and similarities between the two?
Similarities
Although the exterior is different, the Canon R8 appears to be a smaller version of the R6 Mark II, with many of the same features. Both cameras feature a 24.2-megapixel sensor and Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which allows for the recognition and tracking of people, animals, and vehicles. Both cameras also boast excellent low light performance, which should be some of Canon’s best in this area, behind only the Canon R3.
Both bodies also have Raw Burst mode, allowing you to capture images before pressing the shutter. This is the perfect application for getting photos of birds just as they are about to take off, for example.
Differences
However, there are key differences between the two cameras. The Canon R8 is significantly smaller and lighter than the R6 Mark II, making it easier to carry around. The R6 II also has IBIS, which helps reduce blur in photos taken in low light or when using a slow shutter speed.
One major difference between the two cameras is the build quality. The R6 Mark II has a sturdier build and is weather sealed, making it more suitable for heavy-duty use. Additionally, the R6 Mark II has a dedicated AF joystick, which can be helpful when adjusting the focus point.
Furthermore, the R6 Mark II has a longer battery life than the R8 since it uses the larger LP-E6N battery. The R6 Mark II has dual card slots, but the R8 only has one. The R6 Mark II also has a higher-resolution viewfinder, making it more enjoyable to frame your shots.
These differences and added features make the Canon R8 around $1000 cheaper than its brand rival.
Is the Canon R8 the right choice for you?
European robin | Canon R10 + Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM | ISO 800, 1/100, f/8 @ 400mm
So, when it’s all said and done, is the Canon R8 the best budget mirrorless camera for wildlife photography?
Like anything, I can only give a full opinion by personally testing the Canon R8 (especially with incredibly stiff competition from my trusty Canon R10).
However, by looking at the specifications and the company’s track record of excellence with previous wildlife cameras, such as the Canon R5 and R6, I don’t have many doubts about it being a competitive option for many shooters who can afford to spend $1500. And pairing it with an incredible budget lens like the Canon RF 100-400 gives you a killer combo.
Although it is more of a stripped-down version of the R6 Mark II, the Canon R8 does not have any significant flaws, making it, on paper, an excellent choice for wildlife photography.
After working extensively with the Canon R10, I think the Canon R8 would be an excellent budget and feature-packed low light option to allow me to shoot in more scenarios for longer.
If you are looking for a light, compact, and cheap full-frame camera packed with all the necessary features for wildlife photography, the Canon R8 may be an excellent choice. While I do not intend to buy it now, I have been very close to pulling the trigger.
The Canon R8 is on my radar, potentially making it my next full-frame camera for wildlife photography.
Want to become a better wildlife photographer?
If you are interested in learning more about the technical and artistic side of photography to take your photos to the next level, check out these awesome tutorials that can help you take amazing wildlife photos!