Canon R7 and R8 as B/C Cams for Long Form Event Video?

[BlueBomberTurbo]

Been looking at ditching my m4/3 cameras (OM-1, GH5) for something better in terms of IQ and AF.   They've been reliable in terms of not overheating or losing files (same as my Sonys), but the quality is meh at best.  OM-1 worked well enough for handheld stuff in terms of AF and IBIS, but the quality from the camera is the worst out of my lineup (A7 III, A6600, OM-1, GH5, R50V).  Poor excuse for Log, digital patterning in the noise structure.  GH5 is just noisy once you start cranking the ISO, and at least 50% of the events I shoot are in low light.

Wondering if the R7 and R8 were reliable, as I've read about issues of overheating around launch (like many Canons), but not much news afterward.  Plus, there are now plenty of fans out there to add on back, which should solve the problem in everything except maybe summer sun.  And yes, I know the R8 is crippled with a 2hr time limit like my R50V.  I rarely need more than 2hrs, but I can (most likely) trigger a restart with an intervalometer like I do with my A7 III. 

[Ty Harper]

Don't know much about the R8 but I did a bit of research on the R7 as I was looking for a C-cam to go with my two R5Cs. The reason I didn't go with it was that there was imo an usually high level of owners on one of the bigger R7 groups on FB reporting mechanical shutter failures. It was particularly troubling for a cam that wasn't even 3 years old at the time (this was at the top of 2025). Either way I have decided to stay away from it and am pretty close to grabbing an R50V for the time being.

[EduPortas]

On 11/19/2025 at 7:53 AM, BlueBomberTurbo said:

 

Owner of an R8 here.

Those big phat sensels and sophisticated AF will help you big time in low light. 1080p is very good, if you need it.

I've had zero problems with overheating in indoor situations, but the body will get warm if you push it all the way to 2 hours of recording. Same goes for SD card. 

Remember that you can use EF APS-C lenses with the official adapter and that opens up a huge panoply of options for the R8 which were never available for EF bodies.

You'll get the APS-C crop in video, of course, but it's still a great option.

Since my R8 lives on a tripod I use mine with a venerable EF-S 17-55 F2.8. That's it. For video I need nothing  more, save for some lights and a good Rode wireless lavalier mic kit. Minimal set-up, every good results.

P.S: if you'll be swapping SD cards in long recording sessions and the camera has to remain on a tripod, avoid the R8. The SD card is placed on the bottom, so you'll be hitting your battery constantly. The battery door is the worst I've ever seen in any Canon camera irregardless of price. Go for the R7 and its side-loading SD card slot, in that case.

 

 

 

[ntblowz]

R8 will have advantage for low light vs R7 being an FF camera, I did shoot R8 under summer sun in 4K in a beach and it was fine (more than 2hrs) but it does have temperature guage at slightly more than half way. Interior is fine for R8 as long you got those fan add on, my R8 hasnt shut down on me for overheating yet.

R7 on the other hand is a beast in terms of long form recording, I hardly see the temperature guage showing up unlike the R8 even in direct summer sun, paired with sigma 18-50mm 2.8 you have pretty killer combo (or 17-40 1.8 to give u the FF look)

[BlueBomberTurbo]

On 11/20/2025 at 6:35 PM, Ty Harper said:

Don't know much about the R8 but I did a bit of research on the R7 as I was looking for a C-cam to go with my two R5Cs. The reason I didn't go with it was that there was imo an usually high level of owners on one of the bigger R7 groups on FB reporting mechanical shutter failures. It was particularly troubling for a cam that wasn't even 3 years old at the time (this was at the top of 2025). Either way I have decided to stay away from it and am pretty close to grabbing an R50V for the time being.

Well, this will 90% be used for video, and around 40% of that handheld.  Might throw in some flash work (weddings, galas, etc.) requiring the shutter here and there, but I've mostly moved away from that.  The rest of the photo stuff I shoot is at high ISO in very low light where flash isn't allowed, as I've been doing since nearly the beginning.  Usually use my A9s for that, but I'd also toss the R8 in depending on what lenses I end up with for it.  

I do like the R50V for its price/performance ratio.  That, and paired with the RF 10-18, it's umatched for FOV, size, and capture quality.   Nice to have a good amount of controls on a small body from Canon, too!

[BlueBomberTurbo]

On 11/20/2025 at 7:18 PM, EduPortas said:

Remember that you can use EF APS-C lenses with the official adapter and that opens up a huge panoply of options for the R8 which were never available for EF bodies.

You'll get the APS-C crop in video, of course, but it's still a great option.

Since my R8 lives on a tripod I use mine with a venerable EF-S 17-55 F2.8. That's it. For video I need nothing  more, save for some lights and a good Rode wireless lavalier mic kit. Minimal set-up, every good results.

P.S: if you'll be swapping SD cards in long recording sessions and the camera has to remain on a tripod, avoid the R8. The SD card is placed on the bottom, so you'll be hitting your battery constantly. The battery door is the worst I've ever seen in any Canon camera irregardless of price. Go for the R7 and its side-loading SD card slot, in that case.

Yup, I'll be using mostly adapted lenses for both cameras.  Thinking of picking up the EF 70-200/2.8 L IS II for the R8.  Already have the 50/1.8 STM and 55-250 STM, which I can't wait to use on the R7 for reach.  Thinking about the 17-55/2.8, too, but will probably just go for the Sigma 18-50/2.8 for the best AF performance.  Will also be picking up more weather-sealed Meike EF/RF adapters with the swappable VND/UV filters, as I like the one I got for my R50V.  Saves a lot of hassle carrying and swapping front-mounted VNDs. 

And yes, already have a Sabrent 512GB V60 UHS-II card for my R50V, and I'll be picking up more for these cameras.  Regardless of positioning, Canon STILL forces the camera to shut off when the card door is opened. 🤦‍♂️

[BlueBomberTurbo]

On 11/21/2025 at 6:03 AM, ntblowz said:

R8 will have advantage for low light vs R7 being an FF camera, I did shoot R8 under summer sun in 4K in a beach and it was fine (more than 2hrs) but it does have temperature guage at slightly more than half way. Interior is fine for R8 as long you got those fan add on, my R8 hasnt shut down on me for overheating yet.

R7 on the other hand is a beast in terms of long form recording, I hardly see the temperature guage showing up unlike the R8 even in direct summer sun, paired with sigma 18-50mm 2.8 you have pretty killer combo (or 17-40 1.8 to give u the FF look)

Sounds great!  Will definitely be getting fans for the cameras, at least for the first few long shoots and first few hot/full sun outdoor shoots.  Can't be too careful. 

Might upgrade to the 17-40/1.8 later on, but almost certainly starting out with the 18-50/2.8.