Two weeks in the past I used to be fascinated by easy methods to take a look at Canon’s entry-level EOS R8 and EOS R100 cameras within the miserable French climate after I had a thought: “Hey, why not take a trip to a hotter place to check these fashions?” After Googling the closest location with 75 degree-plus climate, I discovered myself within the balmy Canary Islands. It turned out to be an ideal spot to take images as properly, so every part got here collectively completely.
Each cameras have far totally different value factors, at present round $450 and $1,300, respectively. They’re nonetheless the corporate’s least costly new full-frame and crop-sensor mirrorless cameras, although, and Canon markets them each as perfect for tourism and journey — so I figured that it is a nice strategy to take a look at the capabilities of each.
Like several potential purchaser, I wished to see in the event that they’re higher than a smartphone for touring — particularly if the bigger sensors can counter a smartphone’s AI computational pictures. I additionally checked out ease of use and automatic operation, flexibility for sunny seashores or darkish bars, vlogging and extra. After attempting them out at a few of Gran Canaria’s most scenic spots, I discovered one among them to be a digicam value shopping for and one, not a lot.
Smartphone computational pictures
Earlier than detailing my expertise with these cameras, I need to discuss computational and AI pictures. Most smartphones incorporate these tips, like taking a number of images in fast succession to get one of the best one or enhance low-light pictures. They typically ship better-exposed pictures with superior white stability, too. There’s a value to be paid although when it comes to over-sharpening and different artifacts that can provide images a man-made look.
I examined this by taking a number of pictures with each a Pixel 7a and a digicam within the auto settings, as many journey photographers do. As I suspected, at first look the pictures on the smartphone look higher, however a more in-depth look reveals superior images from the digicam when it comes to element, colour accuracy, pores and skin tones, true noise ranges and extra. I consider it’s essential for patrons to grasp this and have a primary thought of easy methods to alter photos in submit, or their new buy might find yourself in a drawer.
Canon EOS R100
The 24-megapixel APS-C EOS R100 looks like it ought to supply so much for vacationers. It’s small and light-weight at 356 grams, so with a compact lens, it’s not an enormous burden in comparison with a smartphone. On the similar time, the bigger sensor doubtlessly provides superior high quality and the pliability of interchangeable lenses.
The small dimension comes with large compromises, although. Dealing with is mediocre and the settings aren’t tremendous intuitive. I’d love to inform you might simply management it on the display as a substitute, however the show isn’t contact delicate and is almost ineffective for vlogging because it’s mounted in place too. The digital viewfinder has low magnification and is comparatively dim, so it’s arduous to make use of within the solar — particularly with glasses on — unlucky when you’re on the seashore, for instance.
It has only a single UHS-I card slot, so storage is comparatively low cost however you gained’t have a backup if the cardboard glitches. You get a microHDMI jack to output to a TV, together with a mic enter, however no headphone jack. The USB-C 2.0 port can solely switch information, not cost the digicam or allow you to use it as a webcam.
It helps Canon’s smaller LP-E17 battery, however is rated for an honest 430 pictures on a cost and lots of extra in actual life. One large profit is a built-in flash with publicity compensation to dim it down – although settings are restricted within the absolutely automated mode most rookies will use.
Efficiency and video
The R100 has anemic efficiency, to place it mildly. It shoots and focuses at simply 3.5 fps max, the slowest in its class. It feels sluggish when taking pictures RAW images, even in single shot mode. Fortunately, it’s far more reactive when taking pictures JPEGs.
The sensor has among the worst rolling shutter I’ve seen in silent mode. Fortunately, it does have a first-curtain mechanical shutter that eliminates that, and the silent mode setting is hidden away the place many people won’t ever discover it.
There’s eye-detection AF for individuals solely, and it really works properly in case your topic is near the digicam. That’s OK for household images and the like, however not perfect for candid or avenue pictures in your journey. The autofocus isn’t nice in low gentle both, however is in any other case pretty dependable.
The R100 is OK for grabbing the odd journey video, however not appropriate for content material creators. Max decision is 4K 24p, however that comes with a 1.5 instances crop, or 2.2 instances with digital stabilization, killing the bokeh benefit of a big sensor. And there’s no possibility for log, 10-bit, or another high-end video options. That mentioned, 4K video is comparatively sharp and colours are good and correct.
Picture high quality
The brilliant spot of the EOS R100 is picture high quality. As you’d anticipate from Canon, picture high quality is great with heat pores and skin tones and correct colours straight out of the digicam. It might additionally deal with low-light taking pictures properly because of the big sensor, with little noise as much as ISO 6400. All that can provide help to take nice pictures of mountains, the seashore, nightlife and different typical trip situations. The flexibility to shoot RAW, together with the mechanical shutter, is one other good cause to get this mannequin over most smartphones. And at last, the built-in flash is there that can assist you get good wanting photos even in darkish environments.
EOS 100 wrap-up
So would I like to recommend the EOS R100 for journey, notably over a smartphone? Sorry Canon, however no. It’s too stripped down to interchange smartphone, and whereas it does ship higher picture high quality, it’s too difficult. As an alternative, I’d recommend Canon’s older EOS M50 Mark II, because it provides the identical picture high quality however has a touchscreen, is smaller, and nonetheless provides good lens choices. Sony’s A6100 has higher autofocus and video choices, and when you can afford a bit of extra, Canon’s own R50 is identical dimension however much more succesful.
EOS R8
Just like the EOS R100, Canon’s R8 is the corporate’s most stripped-down and least expensive new full-frame digicam. It offers you a similar sensor and picture high quality because the $2,000 EOS R6 II for $700 much less, however takes away among the pace, video options and extra.
The principle factor missing within the R8 is in-body stabilization, so it depends on lens and digital shake discount – however that truly labored fairly properly for me. It’s additionally lacking a full mechanical shutter, however does have a front-curtain shutter that eliminates rolling shutter. The EVF is much extra primary, with decrease decision and magnification.
On the plus aspect, it has the identical flip-out show because the R6 II, that means it could function a succesful vlogging and selfie digicam. It additionally has an honest vary of guide controls, with twin dials for the primary settings, a full vary of guide and auto settings and a devoted picture and video swap. It’s additionally smaller and significantly lighter than the R6 II, so it’s a greater journey possibility.
It has each mic and headphone jacks, together with a microHDMI port. It captures images at excessive speeds to a UHS-II card, however there’s just one slot. The most important compromise is a battery that’s the identical because the one within the R100. Given the additional energy calls for of the bigger sensor, it delivers solely 290 pictures on a cost, max and below an hour of video taking pictures.
Efficiency and video
For a funds digicam, the R8 is quick. It helps solely 6 fps with the digital curtain shutter, however can deal with 40 fps bursts in digital mode. There’s vital rolling shutter, although, so maintain that in thoughts for motion pictures.
The R8 makes use of Canon’s newest AI subjection recognition tech, that means it could observe each animals and people precisely. It additionally comes with an auto setting that lets the digicam decide the topic and observe it accordingly.
I feel autofocus is likely one of the most essential options for journey pictures, and the R8 delivers. It might find and lock onto varied topics and observe them quickly across the body. That makes it extra succesful than different current fashions just like the Sony’s A7 IV and the Nikon Z6 II. Focus will be chosen through the touchscreen along with your eye to the EVF, which works properly, however remember to allow the “contact and drag” setting within the menu.
It’s additionally video and content material creation digicam, with a number of caveats. You’ll be able to shoot uncropped video at as much as 4K 60p, and it helps Canon’s C-Log 3 with 10-bit seize, together with HDR PQ. 120 fps extremely sluggish mo is on the market at 1080p. That mentioned, 4K 60p has some pixel binning, so it’s much less sharp than the 30p mode. The shortage of in-body stabilization additionally makes it much less helpful for vlogging, as a result of digital stabilization provides a 1.25 instances crop..
Picture high quality
Picture high quality is a powerful level with the R8 too, particularly for vacationers who need way over a smartphone can supply. It’s an ideal individuals and scenery-shooting digicam, with wealthy pores and skin hues and correct colours. On the similar time, the full-frame 24-megapixel sensor is nice in low gentle, delivers loads of element and provides stunning background bokeh. Critical photographers can seize RAW images and get the identical stage of element discovered on costlier cameras.
EOS R8 wrap-up
Canon’s entry-level full-frame R8 is certainly value taking in your voyages. It provides spectacular picture high quality and is nice for content material creators, too. The principle disadvantage is the shortage of stabilization and a small battery, however you’ll be advantageous when you carry an additional battery or two. Rival choices embody Nikon’s Z5, which has picture high quality on par however inferior autofocus and video, and when you’re extra into vlogging, the Panasonic S5 is a greater possibility for much less cash. For those who’re on the lookout for one of the best inexpensive hybrid full-frame digicam, the Canon R8 is a superb selection.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/traveling-with-canons-entry-level-eos-r8-and-r100-mirrorless-cameras-160054076.html?src=rss
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