The EOS R8 Mark II is Canon’s lightest full-frame camera with stabilization

Canon has introduced the EOS R8 Mark II, a second-generation model that adds in-body image stabilization and adopts a retro, boxier appearance inspired by the EOS 650. The company kept the R8 line's compact full-frame approach while integrating five-axis stabilization that Canon rates at up to 7.5 stops and which can be extended when used with a lens that includes optical stabilization.

The R8 Mark II carries over the same 24.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor used in the R6 Mark II, while Canon's higher-tier R6 Mark III offers a 32.5-megapixel sensor. The Mark II remains a purely electronic-shutter camera, with high-speed burst shooting topping out at 40 frames per second and a pre-continuous mode that can capture up to 20 frames before the shutter is pressed.

Autofocus is handled by Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system, which the company says improves tracking versus the original R8 and can identify people, animals and vehicles. Users can register up to 10 individual faces and assign priority rankings. Video specs include 4K up to 60 fps and slower-motion options up to 180 fps at 1080p.

Other updates focus on usability and creative features: Canon added a multi-controller joystick above the rear screen, relocated the single SD card slot to the camera's side for tripod access, and will offer a $99.99 grip extender for larger lenses. The R8 Mark II also provides built-in creative tools such as 16 color filters, an automatic control to adjust depth of blur, and a creative bracketing mode that shoots three images with varying brightness and tone. Canon plans to release a free Dual Pixel 3D Converter Windows app in October that uses dual-pixel data to generate 3D photos, models and short animated perspective-adjusted clips.