Canon EOS R8 Mark II: confirmed specs, price and release date

Canon's EOS R8 Mark II gains in-body stabilization and an angular redesign, but keeps the same sensor and processor. It ships in late October from $1899.

In the final piece of major news marked for after IBC rather than the show itself (that we know about anyway), as widely trailed Canon has unveiled the Canon EOS R8 Mark II.

The latest in its series of lightweight full-frame cameras, it is based around the now-familiar teaming of a 24.2 MP full-frame CMOS sensor and DIGIC X processor that featured in 2023's EOS R8. However, there are plenty of differences between the two models, the main one being the addition of IBIS which provides up to 7.5 stops of stability in the center of the frame (7 at the periphery).

The addition of IBIS means the camera weighs more than the original, up to 499 g (17.6 oz), 546 g (19.3 oz) with card and battery. It is still, however, the lightest full-frame EOS camera ever to include the technology. Size is a compact 13.13 x 8.99 x 7.98 cm (5.17 x 3.54 x 3.14 in).

Divisive styling

Perhaps more radical even than that is the styling. The EOS R8 Mark II ditches the flowing curves of its predecessor to introduce angular lines that are at odds with anything else in the EOS R lineup. The pre-release rumours had pointed strongly to a retro look, but the reality is more of an old-school Sony vibe than anything. The first reviews suggest it handles better than it looks like it might though.

As ever, supply enough new features and even divisive styling becomes less of an issue. AF has not only been improved over the original as you would expect, now based on Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with Deep Learning subject detection, but really improved with the addition of a dedicated autofocus joystick selector on the back.

The new Register People Priority lets users register up to 10 faces in the camera and up to 100 on a memory card, allowing the Canon EOS R8 Mark II to automatically recognize registered subjects.

It also enables Dual Pixel 3D imaging. This is a first for any Canon camera and essentially allows a dedicated app to take the Dual Pixel data generated for the AF and use it to create 3D images and models. Color us intrigued.

4K60 video

Elsewhere, the R8 Mark II offers 40 fps continuous shooting with a bigger buffer than the EOS R8, pre-continuous shooting in H+ mode up to 20 frames. It also includes Filmtone Color Filters, Custom Picture and LUT support, and up to 4K60 video oversampled from 6K. Drop down to Full HD and it will provide 180p. Cinema View (2.35:1 aspect ratio) and Custom Picture profiles, including Canon Log 3 and HLG, are included, along with Movie Digital IS for handheld footage.

As far as controls go, there is plenty of customizability spread across buttons, controls and modes. It features the same 2.36-million-dot EVF as its predecessor, plus the same vari-angle 3-inch rear panel with approximately 1.62 million dots.

Design improvements compared with the original include a multi-controller for operating the camera when shooting handheld. The optional Canon Extension Grip EG-E2 (below) adds a separate tripod socket and direct access to the camera battery, not to mention more real estate for anyone with bigger hands to hold onto.

Pricing and availability

The Canon EOS R8 Mark II will be available in late October for $1899, and in a kit with the RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens for $2099. The EG-E2 Extension Grip is $99.99.