Canon EOS R5 Mark II vs Canon EOS R8
The bottom line
Same line, different generation: the Canon EOS R5 Mark II (2024) moves ahead on resolution (45MP vs 24.2MP), 8K video and in-body stabilisation. The Canon EOS R8 is still the value pick at $1,499 ($4,299 for the Canon EOS R5 Mark II). If those newer features aren't ones you'll actually use, the Canon EOS R8 gives you most of the experience for less.
Choose the Canon EOS R5 Mark II if…
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings 8K capture (up to 60p).
- ✓You want maximum detail for landscapes, studio or large prints — 45MP resolves noticeably more than 24.2MP and gives more cropping latitude.
- ✓You shoot handheld — in-body stabilisation lets you use slower shutter speeds and steadies video, which the other body can't do without a stabilised lens.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -7.5 EV gives it the edge after dark.
Choose the Canon EOS R8 if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 40fps burst keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 30fps would drop frames.
- ✓You're budget-conscious — it launched at $1,499, about $2,800 less, freeing money for lenses.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — a higher native ISO ceiling (102,400) gives it the edge after dark.
- ✓You value portability — at 461g (1.02 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 670g (1.48 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Where they differ
- ›Video: the Canon EOS R5 Mark II is the stronger video tool — 8K, 4K up to 120p and 10-bit internal.
- ›Price: the Canon EOS R8 launched at $1,499, $2,800 under the Canon EOS R5 Mark II — money that could go toward glass.
- ›Stabilisation: only the Canon EOS R5 Mark II has in-body IS — slower handheld shutter speeds and steadier video without relying on stabilised lenses.
- ›Resolution: 45MP on the Canon EOS R5 Mark II vs 24.2MP — more detail and crop room, at the cost of larger files.
- ›Weight: the Canon EOS R8 is 461g (1.02 lb) vs 670g (1.48 lb) — 209g you'll feel on a long day out.
- ›Burst: the Canon EOS R8 shoots 40fps to the Canon EOS R5 Mark II's 30fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
Frequently asked
Is the Canon EOS R5 Mark II or the Canon EOS R8 better?
Same line, different generation: the Canon EOS R5 Mark II (2024) moves ahead on resolution (45MP vs 24.2MP), 8K video and in-body stabilisation. The Canon EOS R8 is still the value pick at $1,499 ($4,299 for the Canon EOS R5 Mark II). If those newer features aren't ones you'll actually use, the Canon EOS R8 gives you most of the experience for less.
Who should choose the Canon EOS R5 Mark II?
Choose the Canon EOS R5 Mark II if you shoot video seriously — it brings 8K capture (up to 60p). Choose it if you want maximum detail for landscapes, studio or large prints — 45MP resolves noticeably more than 24.2MP and gives more cropping latitude. Choose it if you shoot handheld — in-body stabilisation lets you use slower shutter speeds and steadies video, which the other body can't do without a stabilised lens. Choose it if you shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -7.5 EV gives it the edge after dark.
Who should choose the Canon EOS R8?
Choose the Canon EOS R8 if you shoot action, sports or wildlife — 40fps burst keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 30fps would drop frames. Choose it if you're budget-conscious — it launched at $1,499, about $2,800 less, freeing money for lenses. Choose it if you shoot in low light or indoors — a higher native ISO ceiling (102,400) gives it the edge after dark. Choose it if you value portability — at 461g (1.02 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 670g (1.48 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
What is the main difference between the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and the Canon EOS R8?
Video: the Canon EOS R5 Mark II is the stronger video tool — 8K, 4K up to 120p and 10-bit internal.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| Sensor Type | BSI Stacked CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Image Processor | DIGIC X + DIGIC Accelerator | DIGIC X |
| Effective Resolution | 45 MP | 24.2 MP |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Exposure Control | ||
| ISO Range (Native) | 100 – 51200 | 100 – 102400 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | 50 – 102400 | 50 – 204800 |
| Mechanical Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/4000 |
| Electronic Shutter | 1/32000 | 1/16000 |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/200 |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 30 fps | 40 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| Max Resolution | 8K | 4K |
| 8K Recording | Up to 60p | − |
| 4K Recording | Up to 120p | Up to 60p |
| 1080p Recording | Up to 240p | Up to 180p |
| 10-bit Internal | Yes | Yes |
| Recording Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Log Profiles | C-Log 2 / C-Log 3 / HLG / HDR-PQ | C-Log 3 / HDR-PQ |
| Built-in Mic | Mono | Mono |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Output | Full-size (Type A) | Micro (Type D) |
| Focus | ||
| Phase Detect Points | 1,053 | 1,053 |
| Contrast Detect Points | − | − |
| Low Light AF | -7.5 EV | -6.5 EV |
| Eye AF | Yes | Yes |
| Animal AF | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle AF | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| EVF Type | OLED | OLED |
| EVF Resolution | 5.76M dots | 2.36M dots |
| EVF Magnification | 0.76x | 0.7x |
| Monitor | ||
| LCD Size | 3.2" | 3" |
| LCD Resolution | 2.10M dots | 1.62M dots |
| LCD Type | Vari-Angle | Vari-Angle |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | v5 | v4.2 |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Memory Card Slots | 1x CFexpress Type B + 1x SD UHS-II | 1x SD UHS-II |
| GPS | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $4,299 | $1,499 |
| Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | Polycarbonate |
| Dimensions | 138.4×98.3×88.4 mm | 132.5×86.1×70 mm |
| Weight | 670g (1.48 lb) | 461g (1.02 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| In-Body Stabilization | Yes | No |
| Battery Life (EVF) | 340 shots | 220 shots |
| Battery Life (LCD) | 490 shots | 370 shots |
| Battery Type | LP-E6P | LP-E17 |
