Full-Frame Entry — EOS R8 (2023): Canon's most affordable full-frame mirrorless — 4K/60p 10-bit and class-leading Dual Pixel AF at an accessible entry price.
Professional Video & Hybrid Shooting — Lumix S5 (2020): The S5 is an outstanding video camera that also takes excellent stills. 10-bit 4K/60p, dual native ISO and 6.5-stop IBIS in a weather-sealed body is a compelling package. The contrast-detect AF is its main weakness vs Sony and Canon — but for controlled shooting it doesn't hold it back.
All-Round Photography & Video — A7 III (2018): Still one of the best all-round cameras money can buy — particularly strong used. The A7 III proved that full-frame doesn't have to mean compromises, and nothing at this price point has meaningfully beaten it.
Who should buy what
EOS R8 (2023)
Lumix S5 (2020)
A7 III (2018)
Quick take: The eos r8 is the most affordable; only the lumix s5, a7 iii are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS R8 (2023) | Lumix S5 (2020) | A7 III (2018) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,099 | £1,699 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled 10-bit, FHD/180p | 4K/60p 10-bit V-Log/HLG, 5.9K anamorphic, 1080p/180p slow-motion | 4K/30p (6K oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 1053 zones, eye/face/subject tracking | Contrast AF (DFD Technology), face/eye detection | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 6.5-stop IBIS (dual IBIS with Lumix S lenses) | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 6fps mechanical, 40fps electronic | 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS) | 10fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~710 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 461g body only | 714g (body, battery, card) | 565g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 132.5 × 86.1 × 70.0mm | 132.6 × 97.1 × 81.9mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | Leica L-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual SD (UHS-II slot 1, UHS-I slot 2) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (USB 3.2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
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