The Canon EOS R8 II isn’t the retro camera fans expected — the full-frame upgrade has a ‘modern twist’ that’s giving me strong Nikon and Sony vibes

Canon EOS R8 Mark II upgrades the original R8 with image stabilization It also features a new design 'inspired by Canon's heritage' Prices start at £1,729 / AU$2,529, on-sale date mid-October The Canon EOS R8 Mark II is here, and it isn’t the digital remake of the 50-year-old AE-1 analog SLR camera

<![CDATA[ <article> <ul><li><strong>Canon EOS R8 Mark II upgrades the original R8 with image stabilization</strong></li><li><strong>It also features a new design 'inspired by Canon's heritage'</strong></li><li><strong>Prices start at £1,729 / AU$2,529, on-sale date mid-October</strong></li></ul><p>The Canon EOS R8 Mark II is here, and it isn’t the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/canon-hints-at-retro-style-eos-r-mirrorless-camera-heres-what-wed-like-to-see">digital remake of the 50-year-old AE-1</a> analog SLR camera <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/canon-tipped-to-release-three-new-eos-r-mirrorless-cameras-before-the-end-of-2026-i-know-which-one-im-most-excited-for">that rumors had been suggesting</a> — but it is a new design direction for the world’s leading camera manufacturer nonetheless. </p><p>Canon has historically stuck with a consistent design approach for <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/the-best-canon-camera">its DSLR and mirrorless cameras</a>, with sweeping curves and familiar controls. The EOS R8 Mark II, however, is "inspired by Canon’s heritage" with a "modern twist", so a Canon spokesperson told me, and it's unlike any other model before it — check out <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/canon-eos-r8-mark-ii-review">my first impressions</a>. </p><p>I like the new angular look, but I think the company has unintentionally made a camera that looks just like those from its chief rivals Sony and Nikon, and I don't think we can call it retro. </p><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:2500px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:66.68%;"><img id="HrhMj9kqNL5DX6xGiVeyJn" name="EOS R8 Mark II_Design_Philosophy_P10" alt="Canon EOS R8 Mark II on a black background, with three legendary Canon cameras behind it that supposedly inspire the new camera's design." src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HrhMj9kqNL5DX6xGiVeyJn-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2500" height="1667" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="caption-text">This is what 'inspired by Canon's heritage' looks like — the Canon F-1, T80 and AE-1 supposedly shape the new look of the EOS R8 Mark II. Can you see it? </span><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Canon)</span></figcaption></figure><p>Canon fans hoping for an old school EOS R mount model to rival the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/nikon-zf-review">Nikon Zf</a> will surely be disappointed. Could Canon's design department have pushed the boat out more? Perhaps, but there’s nothing to say it won’t go full retro-style in the future with another model. </p><p>Design is the major talking point, but there are plenty of other features worth highlighting in what is a solid upgrade of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/canon-eos-r8-review-full-frame-simplified">original EOS R8</a>.</p><div data-widget-type="review" data-model-name="Canon EOS R8"></div><h2 id="beyond-the-looks">Beyond the looks</h2><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dRdDNrMKSjQnW7yzbDbuNc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Canon EOS R8 Mark II camera in the hand, no lens attached" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mFrnyEJC5f5kCNjGRAX4Bc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Canon EOS R8 Mark II camera in the hand, no lens attached" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3RmKjct5XrdEkV7JDCTNSc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Top of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II, in user's hands, 24-105mm lens attached" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GoVyqnHWcTMTPJMmnvETBc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Rear of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II, in user's hands" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z4ju4xUFUZKPH3coWXS3cc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Memory card door of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II, in user's hands" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure></figure><p>Like the EOS R8 — which Canon told me will remain on the market — we also get a 24.2MP full-frame sensor, but this time it features in-body image stabilization that’s rated up to 7.5EV.</p><p>Continuous shooting is again up to 40fps using the electronic shutter — in fact, like the EOS R8 there’s no mechanical shutter at all — but pre-capture has been added for up to half a second before you fully press the shutter, which is handy for when your reactions aren’t up to speed, and a first for a Canon camera at this price point. </p><p>And — praise be — an AF joystick has been added (Canon calls it a multi-controller), and it's positioned next to an autofocus button, both of which are conveniently placed right next to where your thumb rests. I was easily able to use the camera and its autofocus one-handed with a 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM kit lens attached. </p><p>Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II features, as does subject detection of people, animals and vehicles, plus Canon’s ‘Register People’ mode with the option to store up to 10 people for the camera to prioritize — handy for weddings, sporting events, and so on. </p><p>Video is still 4K, but now up to 60fps and oversampled from 6K, plus there's 180fps slow-motion recording in 1080p. There's a tally light to indicate when the camera is recording, while the SD memory card slot is now accessed through a side door, rather than underneath in the battery compartment.</p><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8AEhfXZUMSWZ8Q59ug9NEd-1920-80.jpg" alt="Canon EOS R8 Mark II alongside the original EOS R8, on a wooden table" /><figcaption>The original EOS R8 (left), and the new EOS R8 Mark II (right)<small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L54RgiWgYRXxhnpXTmqSec-1920-80.jpg" alt="Canon EOS R8 Mark II on a wooden table, with grip attached" /><figcaption>Canon also announced a dedicated EC-G2 grip for the new camera. The grip bullks the camera up, but doesn't include a battery<small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/68b6JZAoXn2cbiYZ5v4wVc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Canon EOS R8 Mark II on a wooden table" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3DPCDCKdVLWaSR6HGuJF5d-1920-80.jpg" alt="Top of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II on a wooden table" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ydSSqmXCdTuuhXJMPuGwjb-1920-80.jpg" alt="Rear of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II on a wooden table, screen flipped out" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2ep6BTSDDvNTo29wctLYob-1920-80.jpg" alt="Side profile of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II, on a wooden table" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v7auycTuQrtWUA3ht8jQYb-1920-80.jpg" alt="Side profile of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II, on a wooden table" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vjW84ohF3buqeqBTDQRDnc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Canon EOS R8 Mark II on a wooden table, 24-105mm kit lens attached" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure></figure><p>Those are some of the major upgrades, but there's also plenty that's familiar. For example, the 3-inch 1.62m-dot vari-angle touchscreen and 2.36m-dot EVF are unchanged, and there’s the same battery too. In fact, with the power-hungry image stabilization feature in play, shot life is actually slightly lower than before — battery life is a major weak point of the EOS R8 Mark II. </p><p>The camera weighs 19.3oz / 546g with card and battery included, and the quality of the plastic body is decidedly entry-level once more — this isn’t a weather-sealed camera you’d thrash around like the tougher <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/i-tested-the-canon-eos-r6-mark-iii-its-a-near-perfect-hybrid-camera-with-one-major-drawback">EOS R6 Mark III</a> is, which is the near-perfect Canon camera that the EOS R8 Mark II sits below. </p><div style="min-height: 250px;"> <div class="kwizly-quiz kwizly-O6yPjW"></div> </div> <script src="https://kwizly.com/embed/O6yPjW.js" async></script><p>Overall, I think Canon has addressed the key areas for improvement from the EOS R8, adding in-body image stabilization into a body that feels better in the hand, even if the build quality and battery life position it well below the EOS R6 Mark III. </p><p>I must also mention the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/the-nikon-z5-ii-camera-of-the-year-2025">Nikon Z5 II from 2025</a>, which is the obvious entry-level full-frame rival to the EOS R8 Mark II, and which is available for a slightly lower price. Nikon's camera has many similarities, but with a magnesium alloy chassis and weather-resistance it's clearly the tougher camera of the two, plus it has a superior LCD and EVF. If you're not already committed to Canon, the Z5 II looks to be the better of the two cameras. </p><p>The EOS R8 Mark II costs from £1,729 / AU$2,529 for the body only, or £2,119.99 / AU$2,859 with the 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM (don't confuse this lens with the pricier 24-105mm F4 L), and it feels like the sweet spot for users who want powerful features but are less concerned about build quality and shot life. I'll update this page with US and Australia pricing when I get them. </p><p>What do you make of the new EOS R8 Mark II, especially its new design? You can vote in the poll above, and leave your comments below. </p> </article> ]]>