💰 Best Value
Canon R8
Choose if: You want full-frame quality at the lowest price. Best for stills shooters who don't need IBIS and can work with Canon's excellent autofocus.
Sensor 24.2MP FF
Video 4K60 (crop)
IBIS None
Burst 40fps
Canon R8 vs Sony A7C II
Two compact full-frame cameras battle for creators who want pro quality without the bulk. We compare autofocus, video, IBIS, and long-term lens investment.
Updated: February 2026
Quick Verdict
🏆 Best Overall
Sony A7C II
Choose if: You want the best compact full-frame experience. Built-in IBIS, AI autofocus, and superior lens ecosystem make it worth the premium.
Sensor 33MP FF
Video 4K60 Full
IBIS 7 stops
Burst 10fps
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Canon R8 | Sony A7C II |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 33MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Processor | DIGIC X | BIONZ XR + AI unit |
| Video (Max) | 4K60 (1.6x crop), 4K30 full-width | 4K60 full-width |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 1053 zones | 759-point AI AF, animal/bird/insect |
| IBIS | None | 5-axis, 7-stop |
| Burst Speed | 40fps electronic, 6fps mechanical | 10fps |
| Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-II | 1x SD UHS-II |
| Viewfinder | 2.36M-dot, 0.7x | 2.36M-dot, 0.7x |
| Screen | 3" vari-angle, 1.62M-dot | 3" vari-angle, 1.03M-dot |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~530 shots (LCD) |
| Weight | 461g (body only) | 514g (body only) |
| Price (Body) | ~$1,499 / €1,599 | ~$2,198 / €2,399 |
The $700 Question: Is the A7C II Worth It?
The Canon R8 is $700 cheaper, but here's what you give up:
- No IBIS: You'll need stabilized lenses or a tripod for low-light handheld shooting
- Worse battery life: 220 shots vs 530 shots means carrying 2-3 extra batteries
- Single card slot: Both have one slot, but the R8's shorter battery life is the bigger issue
- Lower resolution: 24MP vs 33MP matters for cropping and large prints
Worth the premium? Yes, if you shoot handheld video, travel light, or value lens ecosystem flexibility. The A7C II is the better long-term investment.
Autofocus Comparison
Canon R8
- ✅ Faster initial lock-on
- ✅ Better human eye tracking in mixed scenes
- ✅ Vehicle detection for motorsports
- ⚠️ No insect detection
Sony A7C II
- ✅ AI-powered subject recognition
- ✅ Bird/animal/insect detection
- ✅ More customization options
- ⚠️ Slightly slower initial acquisition
Winner: Tie. Canon for humans/vehicles, Sony for wildlife diversity.
Video Comparison
Canon R8
- 4K30: Full-width, clean
- 4K60: 1.6x crop
- ⚠️ No IBIS (needs gimbal for handheld)
- 10-bit 4:2:2 C-Log3
Sony A7C II
- 4K60: Full-width, oversampled
- 4K120: With 1.5x crop
- ✅ 7-stop IBIS (handheld friendly)
- 10-bit 4:2:2 S-Log3
Winner: Sony A7C II. Full-width 4K60 + IBIS is game-changing for video creators.
Who Should Buy What?
📸 Choose Canon R8 if you...
- Shoot mostly stills
- Are budget-conscious (save $700)
- Use stabilized lenses or tripods
- Already own Canon RF glass
- Shoot sports with fast burst needs (40fps)
🎥 Choose Sony A7C II if you...
- Shoot handheld video
- Travel and want all-day battery
- Need IBIS for low-light stills
- Want affordable third-party lenses
- Plan to upgrade within Sony's system
Bottom Line
For most creators: The Sony A7C II is the better long-term investment. IBIS, superior lens ecosystem, and better battery life justify the premium.
For budget-conscious stills shooters: The Canon R8 offers incredible full-frame quality at an entry-level price. Just budget for extra batteries.