EOS R8vs A7S
GearScore™ Verdict — 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.
Astrophotography & Low-Light — A7S (2014): The original A7S pioneered the concept of a camera optimised entirely for low light. Its 12.2MP sensor has enormous photosites — extraordinary high-ISO performance that still holds up. Lacking IBIS and limited to 1080p internally (4K requires external recorder), it is a specialist tool. For astrophotography, event videography, or any scenario where light is genuinely scarce, it remains outstanding.
Who should buy what
EOS R8 (2023)
- 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
A7S (2014)
- Astrophotographers
- Low-light event videographers
- Filmmakers needing clean high-ISO footage
Quick take: The eos r8 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a7s is the most affordable; only the a7s is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS R8 (2023) | A7S (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,099 | £600 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 12.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 12.2MP |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled 10-bit, FHD/180p | 1080p/60p internal, 4K via HDMI (external recorder) |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 1053 zones, eye/face/subject tracking | Phase-detect / contrast-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None |
| Burst Rate | 6fps mechanical, 40fps electronic | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 461g body only | 474g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 132.5 × 86.1 × 70.0mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Multi/Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS R8 | A7S |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Astrophotography | — | |
| Travel | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history