Canon R8 vs R7: which one should you buy?
Prices and store links are for US buyers (USD, US stores).
Get the R8 if you shoot people, portraits, low light or everyday stuff and want a light full-frame body. No IBIS.
Get the R7 if you shoot wildlife or sports: APS-C reach, fast bursts, and IBIS. Buy it used.
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#1 · The one I own
Canon EOS R8
Full frame, light, great in low light and for portraits. No IBIS, so lean on lenses with IS for handheld video.
$1,009 used at MPB · $1,399 new on Amazon (body only, as of Oct 30, 2026; live R8 tracker)
Vic says, on the R8: “Oh, the R8's great, dude. Love the R8.” from my live
Lens tip: start with the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for portraits, or the RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM as an everyday zoom.
#2 · Fast APS-C
Canon EOS R7
Wait or buy used
APS-C, fast, built for wildlife and sports, with IBIS. Buy used instead of new.
$884 used at MPB · $1,649 new on Amazon (body only, as of Oct 30, 2026; live R7 tracker)
Vic says, on the R7: “I like the Canon [R7].” from my live
Lens tip: the RF-S 18-150mm does it all, or add reach with the RF-S 55-210mm for birds and sports.
Vic on the R7 vs R8
Vic says, on the R7 vs R8: “Me, I use my R8 more than my [R7]. But the [R7] is a better camera in my opinion.” from my live
Vic says, on the R7 vs R8: “I sold the [R7] and kept the R8.” from my live
Vic says, on the R8: “I love the Canon R8, by the way.” from my live
Vic says, on the R7: “Uh, the [R7] is a better camera for sure.” (said comparing the R7 to the R50) from my live
Specs side by side
Highlighted rows are the ones that usually decide it.
| Spec | R8 | R7 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (body) | $1,009 used at MPB; $1,399 new on Amazon | $884 used at MPB; $1,649 new on Amazon |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame CMOS (approx. 36.0 x 24.0 mm) | 32.5MP APS-C CMOS (approx. 22.3 x 14.8 mm) |
| Crop factor | 1.0x (full frame, approx. 36.0 x 24.0 mm) | approx. 1.6x (APS-C, approx. 22.3 x 14.8 mm) |
| In-body stabilization | No IBIS (Movie Digital IS, video only) | 5-axis IBIS, up to 7 stops with coordinated control IS |
| Burst speed | Up to 6 fps (electronic 1st curtain), up to 40 fps (electronic) | Up to 15 fps (mechanical), up to 30 fps (electronic) |
| Shutter | No mechanical first curtain; 1/4000 s (elec. 1st curtain), 1/8000 s electronic (1/16000 s if user-set in Tv or M) | Mechanical shutter 1/8000 s; 1/16000 s electronic |
| ISO (native) | ISO 100-102400 | ISO 100-32000 |
| AF low-light limit (stills) | EV -6.5 | EV -5 |
| Video | Uncropped 4K60p oversampled from 6K; Full HD up to 180 fps; Canon Log 3 | 4K60p; Canon Log 3; clips over 30 minutes |
| Card slots | One SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Battery | LP-E17 | LP-E6NH |
| Weight (with battery and card) | Approx. 1.01 lb / 461 g | Approx. 1.3 lb (21.59 oz) |
| Screen | 3.0-in vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0-in LCD (1.62M dots) |
Prices from my live trackers as of Oct 30, 2026. Crop factor worked out from Canon's sensor sizes. Specs from Canon USA product pages (R8, R7), checked Oct 31, 2026.
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