Canon EOS R8 vs Canon EOS R5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS R8 and Canon EOS R5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS R8 were released 2023 and Canon EOS R5 was released 2020. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS R8 2023
Canon EOS R5 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS R8 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS R5 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS R8 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS R5 has 45 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS R8 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Canon EOS R5 45 MP
44761088 pixels
8192 x 5464

Canon EOS R5 has a 87 % larger resolution than Canon EOS R8. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS R8 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS R5. Canon EOS R8 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Canon EOS R5 has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS R8 100-102400
Canon EOS R5 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R8 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R5 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R8
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS R8 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS R5 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS R8 6
Canon EOS R5 20

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS R8 and Canon EOS R5 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS R5 weighs 738 gr (equal to 1.63 lb) which is 60% heavier than Canon EOS R8 and its 461 gr (or 1.02 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS R8 461 gr
1.02 lb
Canon EOS R5 738 gr
1.63 lb

Canon EOS R8 vs Canon EOS R5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS R8 and Canon EOS R5, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
Name Canon EOS R8 Canon EOS R5
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
Release Year 2023 2020
Release Date 2023-02-08 2020-07-09
MSRP 1499 USD 3899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 8192 x 5464 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 45 MP
Image Processor DIGIC X DIGIC X
Image
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
ISO Range 100 - 102400 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift. Works with lens-based IS systems for maximum shake reduction.)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 1053 1053
Lens Mount Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1620000 2100000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 5760000
Photography features
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
Frames per second 6 fps 20 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
H.265
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
7680 x 4320
8192 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (Wireless LAN (IEEE802.11b/g/n) (2.4 GHz)32, with Bluetooth 4.2 support)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual-band) + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes. RS-60E3-type terminal (remote control terminal)
Yes
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-E2
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS R5
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E17
LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 220 shots 320 shots
Width 133 mm 138 mm
Height 86 mm 98 mm
Depth 70 mm 88 mm
Weight 461 gram 738 gram