Canon introduced earlier today 2 new mirrorless R cameras as well as two new kit lenses. The first is the Canon EOS R8, a FF entry-level advanced camera combining the size and shape of the RP and features from the EOS R6 II, the EOS R50, an APS-C camera similar to some degree to the phased-out M50 II and two kits lenses – Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM full frame and Canon RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM telephoto APS-C lens.
Canon EOS R8
A few months back Canon introduced the EOS R6 II with a new sensor and several advanced features. In many respects the EOS R8 has many of the features this camera includes packed into the tiny body of the EOS RP announced back in 2019.
The back of the EOS R8 – no joystick
Let’s look a bit closer at the specific aspects of the R8. As we have mentioned this camera is very compact, much smaller, and lighter than the EOS R6 II (about 461g or 200 grams lighter than the R6 II). This comes at a cost of a single SD card, a smaller less powerful battery (LP-E17 with about half the official number of shots that you can get compared to the EOS R6 II or 370 images per charge), and a lack of a joystick (you will have to use the LCD for changing focus points which is not ideal.
In terms of similarities, the R8 has the same 24MP sensor and fast DIGIC X processor of the R6 II as well as the same Dual Pixel CMOS AF II AF system with 1053 AF points including tracking of people, animals, and vehicles.
Small with lots of features
The R8 can shoot up to 6fps (12fps on the R6 II) with a mechanical shutter but up to 40fps for a short burst with an electronic shutter, there is also a pre-shooting feature that can be very useful in this mode. Just like the R6 II it has an articulated touch 3″ monitor with 1.62 million dots but a lower res EVF of 2.3 million points (1.4 million less than the R6 II).
When it comes to video this camera can shoot up to 4K 60p (no crop) from a 6K frame. It can shoot 10bit with C-Log3 and record up to 4 audio channels with the right external adapter. The camera has no stabilizer on the sensor and can only utilize an electronic stabilizer in video.
the articulated screen of the EOS R8
Canon EOS R50
The R50 is in many respects the R version of the older M50 II camera. As Canon is now moving away from the M line and onto the R in both FF and APS-C (after the announcement of the R7 and R10 last year). It is a compact APS-C camera designed for content creators with a simple interface and some automatic features.
The R50 can shoot video up to 4K 30p (if you want 60p you will need to get a more advanced camera like the R7/R10) but it can shoot at 10bit and uses the same AF technology as the R8. It also has the same screen and EVF. The camera has no stabilizer so make sure you get a lens with an optical one.
As mentioned this camera has some features designed to help new shooters such as creative Assist and creative bracketing and it also supports digital recording and has both mic and headphone jacks.
The camera is extremely light at 375g and also uses a small LP-E17 battery with up to 370 images per charge.
EOS R50 – Note the size of the sensor compared to the RF mount
Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM
The new Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM is the new FF kit lens that will be sold with the EOS R8. It includes an image stabilizer with 4.5 stops (7 with the R8 in video mode with digital stabilizer turned on), it extends to about 8.6cm has a 58mm filter thread, and weights in 210g.
Canon RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM
The Canon RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM is a new telephoto-zoom APS-C RF lens (very much a sister to the existing RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM). this lens is also super light at 290g and includes an STM AF motor and built-in stabilizer.
Pricing and availability
We currently don’t have an exact release date other than “spring 2023” but we do know the pricing for the new cameras and lenses and they are as follows:
- Canon EOS R8 – $1500 body only or $1700 with the RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM kit.
- Canon EOS R50 – $680 body only or $800 with the RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM kit.
- Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM – $300.
- Canon RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM – $350.
Hands-on and reviews from across the web
There are already quite a few early hands-on with the new Canon cameras and lenses and we have a few of them for your viewing pleasure below.
Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake from DPR looking at the Canon EOS R8
Manny Ortiz 48 hours with the R8
Gordon Laing on the R8
Niccolls and Drake on the EOS R50
Gordon Laing with the Canon RF 24-50mm f4.5-6.3
Gordon Laing on the Canon RF-S 55-210mm f5-7.1
If you don’t want to miss any new photography product be sure to check out our product photography section on our photo gear channel.
Iddo Genuth 
You can support LensVid by shopping with our affiliate partners
Affiliates: Amazon, B&H, Adorama and E-bay.
Why should you trust us?