p.2 #1 · Does the New R8II Looks Too Much Like a Sony?
snegron7 wrote:
Is it just me, or does the new R8II look nearly identical to the Sony A7 series camera bodies?
It's by no means ergonomically appealing to me, but I don't and have never intended to buy one, so of little to no consequence for me.
There's a lot of Sony user's out there, so maybe Canon wanted to win some of them over by producing a camera more appealing to them, and/or others who may prefer a more compact camera?
Dumb, or smart business?
p.2 #2 · Does the New R8II Looks Too Much Like a Sony?
Steve Spencer wrote:
I think for me the R8 II would be a lot better for manual focus lenses than the R8. I need a joystick for shooting manual focus lenses and IBIS is really a must too. Despite its small size, I doubt it will even be my travel camera with manual focus lenses. My big hands don't like small cameras and I really like having the top LCD to see shooting parameters. I am very happy with my R5 II for manual lenses. For my secondary camera when I replace my R7 in a couple years it will likely be between the R6 II and the R8 II. I am not sure which way I will go, and I will probably just let my wife decide. She uses the R7 at least as much as I do and she will probably prefer the smaller R8 II and that will be fine with me....Show more →
Yes, the joystick is why I’m interested in the R8II. Where my doubts come in is not about the camera, but about using M mount lenses. The adapters that allow for the Canon manual focus functionality need some programming every time you change the lens. I’m not sure I want that hassle, unless a lens is truly special. I don’t think many lenses are truly special, especially not when it comes to street and travel photography.
p.2 #4 · Does the New R8II Looks Too Much Like a Sony?
Are we talking about cars, motorcycles, women, watches, furniture, clothing.....or, an entry-level camera?!? I never would have expected to see so much time devoted to whether a camera is 'good-looking'. But you learn something every day, I guess.
Are we using it to capture photographs, or are we taking it out on a dinner date?
It looks fine for a photographic tool. And with the same familiar Canon grip, once it's in your hand it'll feel like....a Canon.
I'd be more focused on the fact that Canon actually put a joystick on a lower-end body like this. If the CR images are accurate, isn't that a first? I'd be stoked on this if I was in the market for an R8-level body.
p.2 #6 · Does the New R8II Looks Too Much Like a Sony?
Cliff L. wrote:
It looks like Canon is borrowing some of the less desirable ergonomic features of the R7, unfortunately.
I greatly prefer the rear dial and joystick placement on the R7. So easy, fast, and natural for me to reach. The placement on my R6 MK II and 5D MK IV is awkward and harder to reach. Obviously, it is okay for those with larger hands or longer fingers. I actually have to take my finger off the shutter button to rotate that darn dial on the R6 MK II. Hopefully, Canon makes more cameras with the dial and joystick placed higher and closer to the right..
p.2 #8 · Does the New R8II Looks Too Much Like a Sony?
I'm actually somewhat excited about the R8 II now.
Weather sealing removes one more worry from going with the cheapest FF body; along with the f/2.8 STM zooms, Canon's entry-level full-frame is starting to look rather competitive!
p.2 #9 · Does the New R8II Looks Too Much Like a Sony?
EB-1 wrote:
Who cares what the camera looks like? A camera is a tool, not a bloody fashion accessory. Most casual users would be impressed by anything not a smartphone.
The R8 II is a cheap camera with a puny battery. Maybe Canon should make it in 5 different fruit colors so our 13 YO nieces and nephews would like it.
EBH
I have the R8 and I wondered why all my photos were so horrible looking. Hopefully the shots from the R8II are at least less
horrible looking.
After my grandson's graduation from high school we had a get together at his parent's house and I took a number of family graduation pictures with, OH MY GOD, an R8. Now I know why they sent me an email and said that they were just going to throw them away and that they knew they should have hired a professional photographer for that family event.
I feel really bad about it and my wife is contemplating a divorce because she says I basically ruined their life since they looked so forward to this graduation event by using such a cheap camera with a puny battery.
Could you explain to me why you always try to make people feel like if they don't have the most expensive high end camera and lenses like you do that they have nothing but a bunch of inadequate junk? Your comment, as worded, denigrates everyone who owns an R8 series camera whether you want to admit it or not. And you won't.
I hate to say it but it seems to be a pattern with you to make derogatory comments targeting those who don't own the equipment you do. Despite your condemnation of my R8 I'm not going to throw it into the trash can and I'm not going to list it on buy and sell.
Your comment is akin to the prosecutor telling the jury that because my client is so ugly he doesn't warrant all of the constitutional protections that would apply if Mr. Power had a more attractive client. His client is nothing but junk.
You may think this is odd but I have tried many many jury trials in my 46 year career and believe it or not I haven't heard that one time because the prosecutor knows that it is not true.
I have said enough about this. I see several FMer's have liked your comment. We will see if anybody likes mine but that's not why I have said what I have said.
p.2 #10 · Does the New R8II Looks Too Much Like a Sony?
Sy Sez wrote:
It's by no means ergonomically appealing to me, but I don't and have never intended to buy one, so of little to no consequence for me.
There's a lot of Sony user's out there, so maybe Canon wanted to win some of them over by producing a camera more appealing to them, and/or others who may prefer a more compact camera?
Dumb, or smart business?
The irony is that I use BOTH Sony AND Canon (I iwn a Sony A7c, Sony A7iv, Canon R6II, and an old Canon 7dmk2). Using both Sony and Canon equally, I can say with full confidence based on petsonal experience that Canon cameras FEEL way better in my hand than Sony cameras. I especially dislike my Sony A7iv because of how sharp and awkward it FEELS in my hand.
So, if Canon designed their R8II as a Sony clone in order to appeal to Sony users (like me), they failed miserably. They should've kept the original design of the R8 and simply made the necessary updgrades (like IBIS and better weather sealing).
Sep 12, 2026 at 09:59 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #11 · Does the New R8II Looks Too Much Like a Sony?
johnvanr wrote:
Yes, the joystick is why I’m interested in the R8II. Where my doubts come in is not about the camera, but about using M mount lenses. The adapters that allow for the Canon manual focus functionality need some programming every time you change the lens. I’m not sure I want that hassle, unless a lens is truly special. I don’t think many lenses are truly special, especially not when it comes to street and travel photography.
I think we both have the Shoten electronic adapter for Leica M lenses and yes, switching lenses does take a little programming. For me it isn't much of an issue and there are several Voigtlander M mount lenses that I really like for travel (21 f/3.5; 75 f/2.8 APO; 90 f/4 APO) and that I want as part of my kit. Using those lenses is a bit easier with the TT Artisans 6-bit adapter, especially changing lenses, but I also appreciate the close focus extension on the Shoten adapter. I usually take just one of these Leica M lenses for travel so getting it set up before I leave is easy, but sometimes I take two and I agree that it would be nice if it was easier to change lenses with this adapter.
p.2 #12 · Does the New R8II Looks Too Much Like a Sony?
Steve Spencer wrote:
I think we both have the Shoten electronic adapter for Leica M lenses and yes, switching lenses does take a little programming. For me it isn't much of an issue and there are several Voigtlander M mount lenses that I really like for travel (21 f/3.5; 75 f/2.8 APO; 90 f/4 APO) and that I want as part of my kit. Using those lenses is a bit easier with the TT Artisans 6-bit adapter, especially changing lenses, but I also appreciate the close focus extension on the Shoten adapter. I usually take just one of these Leica M lenses for travel so getting it set up before I leave is easy, but sometimes I take two and I agree that it would be nice if it was easier to change lenses with this adapter....Show more →
I also have the Megadap adapter, which has slots for just four lenses and has a more complicated series of steps to remember and execute. I'm selling my M11 and currently still have all my lenses for it, but I really don't know whether it's wise to keep them.
I have a ton of small lenses in my micro-four thirds kit and those cameras shoot 20mp, just a little less than the Canon R8 resolution. These days I often either take my Fuji GFX 100s, the R8 with M lenses or the MFT kit, or a combo of those. The R5 is mostly used for scanning and studio stuff. I don't see myself traveling anywhere with the R5, so then I may as well take MFT over the R8 with M lenses, or the R8 with its small primes. I would take the R5 if I didn't have the Fuji, but basically for landscapes only.
There are some lenses I'd keep, like the Voigtlander 75mm f/1.5 which is small for its reach and speed, the Zeiss 50mm f/1.5, with its rendering and maybe a few others, but I'm not sure at the moment.
