EOS R8vs A7Cvs A7C II
Which should you buy?
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.
Compact Travel & Content Creation — A7C (2020): The A7C proves full-frame doesn't have to be bulky. Excellent battery life, reliable Eye AF and a vari-angle screen in a pocketable body is a compelling combination for travel and content creators. The A7C II improved on it, but the original remains a strong value buy.
Full-Frame Hybrid — A7C II (2023): Full-frame AI autofocus in the most compact body available — the best camera under £1,500 for hybrid shooters.
Who should buy what
EOS R8 (2023)
- You want full-frame image quality on a tight budget
- You shoot mainly in good light and can live without built-in stabilisation
- You primarily shoot stills with occasional video
A7C (2020)
- Travel photographers who want full-frame in the smallest possible body
- Content creators who need a flip screen and reliable Eye AF
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want to keep a compact kit
- Vloggers who need 4K and great battery life on the road
A7C II (2023)
- You want full-frame image quality in the most compact body possible
- You travel constantly and need a serious camera that doesn't weigh down your bag
- You're a portrait or lifestyle photographer who shoots on the move
- You create content for social media or YouTube and want full-frame quality in a vlog-friendly form
Quick take: The a7c ii has the highest resolution at 33mp; the eos r8 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS R8 (2023) | A7C (2020) | A7C II (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,099 | £1,299 | £1,499 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS | 33MP Full-frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled 10-bit, FHD/180p | 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion, S-Log2/S-Log3 | 4K/60p oversampled, S-Log3, 10-bit internal |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 1053 zones, eye/face/subject tracking | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 7.0 stops |
| Burst Rate | 6fps mechanical, 40fps electronic | 10fps with AF/AE tracking | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~740 shots (CIPA) — outstanding for a Sony mirrorless | ~530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 461g body only | 509g (body, battery, card) | 514g body only |
| Dimensions | 132.5 × 86.1 × 70.0mm | 124.0 × 71.1 × 59.7mm | 124.0 × 71.1 × 63.4mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× | None built-in — use rear screen or accessory EVF | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 921k dots | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | Sony E-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single SD UHS-II | Dual slots: SD UHS-II + CFexpress Type A |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC | USB-C (3.2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
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