Decision tools · Compare
EOS 500D vs EOS R8
Quick take: The EOS R8 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the EOS 500D is the most affordable; only the EOS R8 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
EOS R8 — Full-Frame Entry: Canon's most affordable full-frame mirrorless — 4K/60p 10-bit and class-leading Dual Pixel AF at an accessible entry price.
Who should buy what
EOS R8 (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers wanting full-frame image quality at the lowest RF price
- EOS RP owners upgrading to better autofocus and modern video specs
- Beginners who want to start on full-frame without overspending
- Travel photographers who want a lightweight full-frame RF body
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | EOS 500DCanon · 2009 | EOS R8Canon · 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £57Best | £1,629 |
| Sensor | 15.1MP APS-C CMOS | 24.2MP Full-frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 15.1MP | 24.2MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/20, 720p/30 | 4K/60p oversampled 10-bit, FHD/180p |
| Autofocus | 9-point phase-detect (centre cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 1053 zones, eye/face/subject tracking |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 3.4fps | 6fps mechanical, 40fps electronicBest |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best | ~220 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 530g (with battery) | 461g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 128.8 × 97.5 × 61.9mm | 132.5 × 86.1 × 70.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.87x | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon EF / EF-S | Canon RF mount (full-frame) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD UHS-II slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, AV out, E3 remote | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
EOS 500D
EOS R8
Portrait
5.3/10
7.5/10
Street
5.3/10
6.8/10
Travel
4.7/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
3.9/10
6.4/10
Documentary
3.5/10
7.1/10
Sports & Action
4.4/10
7.9/10
Landscape
3.8/10
6.2/10
Wildlife
4.9/10
7.9/10
Casual
3.3/10
5.5/10
Food
3.9/10
6.9/10
Macro
3.7/10
7.3/10
Architecture
4.1/10
6.2/10
Astrophotography
4.4/10
6.3/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.1/10
Filmmaking
—
6.5/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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