The Canon EOS R8 II isn’t the retro camera fans expected — the full-frame upgrade has a ‘modern twist’ that’s giving me strong Nikon and Sony vibes

Canon EOS R8 Mark II upgrades the original R8 with image stabilization It also features a new design 'inspired by Canon's heritage' Prices start at $1,899 / £1,729 / AU$2,529, on-sale date mid-October The Canon EOS R8 Mark II is here, and it isn’t the digital remake of the 50-year-old AE-1 analog SLR camera that rumors had been suggesting — but it is a new design direction for the world’s leading camera manufacturer nonetheless.

Canon has historically stuck with a consistent design approach for its DSLR and mirrorless cameras , with sweeping curves and familiar controls.

The EOS R8 Mark II, however, is "inspired by Canon’s heritage" with a "modern twist", so a Canon spokesperson told me, and it's unlike any other model before it — check out my first impressions .

I like the new angular look, but I think the company has unintentionally made a camera that looks just like those from its chief rivals Sony and Nikon, and I don't think we can call it retro.

This is what 'inspired by Canon's heritage' looks like — the Canon F-1, T80 and AE-1 supposedly shape the new look of the EOS R8 Mark II.

Can you see it? (Image credit: Canon) Canon fans hoping for an old school EOS R mount model to rival the Nikon Zf will surely be disappointed.

Could Canon's design department have pushed the boat out more? Perhaps, but there’s nothing to say it won’t go full retro-style in the future with another model.

Design is the major talking point, but there are plenty of other features worth highlighting in what is a solid upgrade of the original EOS R8 .

Beyond the looks Tim Coleman Tim Coleman Tim Coleman Tim Coleman Tim Coleman Like the EOS R8 — which Canon told me will remain on the market — we also get a 24.2MP full-frame sensor, but this time it features in-body image stabilization that’s rated up to 7.5EV.

Continuous shooting is again up to 40fps using the electronic shutter — in fact, like the EOS R8 there’s no mechanical shutter at all — but pre-capture has been added for up to half a second before you fully press the shutter, which is handy for when your reactions aren’t up to speed, and a first for a Canon camera at this price point.

And — praise be — an AF joystick has been added (Canon calls it a multi-controller), and it's positioned next to an autofocus button, both of which are conveniently placed right next to where your thumb rests.

I was easily able to use the camera and its autofocus one-handed with a 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM kit lens attached.

Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II features, as does subject detection of people, animals and vehicles, plus Canon’s ‘Register People’ mode with the option to store up to 10 people for the camera to prioritize — handy for weddings, sporting events, and so on.