Making the bounce into full-frame digital camera methods is rarely a choice to be taken calmly, primarily as a result of, more often than not, it entails investing in a full-frame lens setup in addition to buying the digital camera physique. For that reason, you need to be sure to’re shopping for into the precise model to keep away from purchaser’s remorse later down the road.
Right here we’re Sony and Canon’s smallest full-frame cameras, evaluating their specs and the way we discovered them once we examined them. So, for those who’re out there on your first full-frame digital camera and are attempting to determine between the Canon EOS R8 and the Sony A7C II, hopefully, this information will reply your questions.
We expect they’re amongst among the finest mirrorless cameras available on the market and whichever possibility you find yourself going for, you may be over the moon.
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R8
Ideally suited to astrophotographers, the Canon EOS R8 is a fairly priced full-frame mirrorless that performs effectively when capturing the celebs.
Read more below
Sony A7C II
Sony A7C II
A neat little full-frame digital camera that can completely swimsuit lovers who shoot a number of photographic kinds.
Read more below
Specs This is a fast have a look at among the lenses’ most vital specs aspect by aspect.
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Header Cell – Column 0 Canon EOS R8
Sony A7C II
Date first launched
April 2023
September 2023
RRP on launch
$1499
$2200
Kind
Mirrorless
Mirrorless
Sensor sort
Full body CMOS
Full body BSI-CMOS
Megapixels
24.2MP
33MP
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
ISO vary
100 – 102,400 (expandable to 50 – 204,800)
100 – 51,200 (expandable to 50 – 204800)
Picture stabilization
None
7 stops
Autofocus detection vary
EV –6.5 to 21
EV-4 to twenty
AF factors
1053
759
LCD display screen measurement/decision
3-inch, totally articulated, 1,620,000 dots
3-inch, totally articulated, 1,036,800 dots
EVF decision
2,360,000 dots
2,359,296 dots
Slowest shutter pace
30 sec
30 sec
Steady drive pace
As much as 6FPS
As much as 10FPS
Video decision
4K 60p uncropped
4K 30p, 4K 60p cropped
Card slots
Single UHS-II SD slot
Single UHS-II SD slot
Climate sealed
Sure
Sure
Battery life (CIPA)
220 photographs with EVF / 370 photographs with LCD display screen
510 photographs with EVF/ 540 photographs with LCD display screen
Weight
0.91 lbs / 414g
1.13 lbs / 514g
Dimensions
5.24 x 3.39 x 2.76-inches / 133 x 86 x 70mm
4.88 x 2.8 x 2.48-inches / 124 x 71 x 63mm
Similarities
They’re each an identical age, with the Canon EOS R8 being simply 5 months older.
Whereas the Canon has the next commonplace ISO vary, they each have the identical prolonged ISO vary.
Each cameras have across the similar EVF decision, however the Canon’s LCD display screen is extra detailed.
Each cameras are weather-sealed.
Each cameras solely have a single card slot.
Variations
For cameras of an identical age, they’re in a barely completely different value bracket. The Sony A7C II is undoubtedly extra of an funding than the Canon EOS R8, however the Sony has extra options.
The Sony A7C II has a back-illuminated sensor (BSI-CMOS), whereas the Canon EOS R8 does not.
The Sony A7C II has extra megapixels than the Canon EOS R8 (33MP vs 24.2MP) — however the decrease variety of megapixels may very well be higher for astro.
The Sony A7C II has seven stops of picture stabilization, however the Canon EOS R8 does not have any picture stabilization.
The battery life (CIPA) of the Sony A7C II is over double that of the R8.
They’re each extremely light-weight, however the Canon EOS R8 is 100g lighter than the Sony A7C II — that stated, the Sony is extra compact.
Each cameras can shoot 4K video, however the Canon can shoot 60p uncropped, whereas the Sony shoots 4K 60p cropped.
The Canon EOS R8 can autofocus right down to -6.5EV, the place the Sony reaches -4EV.
Causes to purchase Canon EOS R8
Picture 1 of 9
The Canon EOS R8 handles noise extraordinarily effectively, nice information for astrophotographers. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
(Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
(Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
(Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
The Canon EOS R8 is at present the lightest full-frame Canon mirrorless digital camera. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
The vari-angle touchscreen is useful for composing photographs at awkward capturing angles (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
(Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
Adjusting the publicity composition is a bit fiddly. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
(Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
Though the Canon EOS R8 might look like the lesser possibility when its specs on paper in comparison with the Sony, there are a couple of options and sensible causes that make it a extra tempting possibility in sure circumstances.
One in every of this stuff is its glorious high-ISO dealing with, which we famous in our full Canon EOS R8 overview. We discovered that it comfortably handles ISO 5000 and above (which may’t be stated for the Sony A7C II), and its decrease 24.2MP sensor means there’s hardly any noticeable noise within the photographs. For a digital camera at this value level, we have been severely impressed with its excessive ISO efficiency, and we rated it as the most effective entry-level Canon in our greatest cameras for astrophotography information.
We did discover the battery life a bit missing, however for those who’re out on a protracted astro shoot you possibly can all the time simply take the most effective energy banks out with you so you possibly can simply cost on the go.
Picture 1 of 4
The shortage of picture noise is spectacular. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
The shortage of in-body stabilization is noticeable however this is not an issue for those who’re pairing your digital camera with a tripod. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
We did discover shadows have been dissapointingly clipped when underexposing scenes, however this is not a deal breaker. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
(Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
Typically, the shortage of in-body picture stabilization within the Canon EOS R8 may very well be a difficulty. Nevertheless, for those who use this digital camera primarily for astrophotography, this omission does not make any distinction aside from saving you a couple of hundred {dollars}. Even so, we thought its autofocus and monitoring have been excellent — to not point out the Canon EOS R8 can autofocus right down to -6.5EV.
The Canon EOS R8 additionally has a slight benefit over the Sony concerning video specs, as it may shoot at 4K 60p uncropped, whereas the Sony’s 4K 60p is cropped.
One other potential benefit of the Canon EOS R8 is it is less expensive than the Sony A7C II. Upon launch, the Canon was round $700 extra inexpensive than the Sony, and despite the fact that the Sony appears higher on paper, there isn’t any doubt that the Canon continues to be an unimaginable digital camera in its personal proper.
Causes to purchase Sony A7C II
Picture 1 of 5
The small and light-weight type issue and neat styling make the Sony A7C II an ideal journey companion. (Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
The totally articulating display screen is nice for vloggers and content material creators. (Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
(Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
(Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
(Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
Whereas the Sony A7C II and Canon EOS R8 are being in contrast right here on account of being every model’s smallest full-frame digital camera, it is not precisely essentially the most degree taking part in area because of the Sony having much more options and largely higher specs, but in addition being a good bit dearer than the Canon. That stated, in case you have the additional finances to spend on the Sony, here is why we expect it is price it.
Whereas we appreciated the format of the Canon general and obtained on effectively with the menu methods, in our full Sony A7C II overview, we discovered the Sony extremely intuitive to shoot with, due to the addition of a entrance dial. Having three dials at your disposal means you possibly can concurrently change the aperture, shutter pace and ISO on the digital camera physique. In distinction, on the Canon EOS R8, you possibly can solely regulate two at a time. That might be fantastic for freshmen who shoot in aperture precedence or shutter precedence. If you wish to advance your abilities and shoot in handbook mode, the Sony A7C II is the higher ergonomic possibility.
Picture 1 of 7
(Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
(Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
(Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
(Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
(Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
(Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
(Picture credit score: Kimberley Lane)
One other benefit is the AI-powered autofocus unit within the Sony A7C II. We nonetheless thought the Canon R8’s autofocus was spectacular, however with the Sony A7C II’s deep-learning autofocus that may detect and monitor an entire host of topics, it is simply that bit higher. It was capable of monitor the eyes of a black cat indoors effortlessly, and when the cat turned his head away from the digital camera, it nonetheless saved concentrate on the place his eyes could be, then instantly picked up once more when he turned in the direction of the digital camera once more.
For those who shoot handheld rather a lot, you are seemingly wanting a digital camera with in-body picture stabilization, and the Sony A7C II has seven stops of picture stabilization, whereas the Canon EOS R8 does not have any picture stabilization in any respect. This would possibly not be a lot of a difficulty for tripod-based pictures, however most different kinds would profit from some in-body picture stabilization with out having to depend on the lens having it.
The Sony A7C II additionally has round double the battery lifetime of the Canon EOS R8. We discovered the battery life fantastic for an off-the-cuff day of capturing, particularly contemplating it is a digital camera aimed extra at lovers.
Verdict
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And the winner is…
Winner
2nd place
Sony A7C II
Canon EOS R8
★★★★
★★★★½
It is the dearer possibility, but it surely has some spectacular options for its value.
Though it outperforms the Sony for astrophotography, we felt it fell brief in different areas.
It is a troublesome determination to make, particularly contemplating we rated the Canon EOS R8 increased in our opinions*, however its general expertise, dealing with, and efficiency, we expect the Sony A7C II simply pips it.
That stated, for those who’re solely capturing astrophotography and nothing else, we have been extremely impressed with the Canon EOS R8’s efficiency and excessive ISO dealing with, extra so than that of the Sony A7C II. Astrophotographers might need to weigh up what’s extra vital to their wants particularly. Additionally, if you cannot fairly stretch your finances to the Sony A7C II, the Canon EOS R8 continues to be a fully unbelievable digital camera for its value and can produce some stunning photographs.
*Observe that the opinions of every digital camera have been carried out by completely different authors, so there will likely be a component of subjectivity.
