A new DSLR camera has emerged in the Canon EOS Rebel T8i, which, outside the United States, is known as the EOS 850D. These days, we rarely have the chance to test out new DSLR cameras, especially ones priced so low. And it isn’t until we have one in place that we realize how little development or innovation there has been until that point.
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The Canon EOS Rebel T8i / EOS 850D feels a few steps behind the finest starting mirrorless cameras in terms of the technology and features it offers. However, we still believe it is one of the best DSLR cameras. It is instructive to note that competitor DSLR cameras, such as the Nikon D5600 and the Pentax K-70, are now four years old.
Canon EOS Rebel T8i Build Quality
Like other DSLR-style cameras, the EOS Rebel T8i / EOS 850D has a pretty pleasant grip, and this model is not an exception. It features a broad handgrip, and the overall shape has a form factor that seems to have been designed with use in mind.
It weighs a meager 515 grams with the memory card and battery installed, making it one of the most compact DSLR cameras. Certain DSLRs are easier to handle than others. For this test, we utilized the standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, a compact, and lightweight combo.
The body is unmistakably made of plastic. This camera may be priced higher than the entry-level Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D, but its build quality is comparable to that of the lower-end model. Because of this, we wouldn’t recommend using the EOS Rebel T8i / EOS 850D in harsh conditions or subjecting it to a lot of rough treatment. The card door, in particular, seems fragile.
Canon EOS Rebel T8i Performance
The EOS Rebel T8i and the EOS 850D both have an autofocus mechanism that is quick and dependable, one of the things that work in their favor. Canon’s illustrious Dual Pixel phase detection AF is responsible for the camera’s excellent performance in still and moving image capture.
When using the viewfinder on the EOS Rebel T8i or the EOS 850D, the autofocus system is still a 45-point array, and each of those points is of the more sensitive “cross-type” variety. When you switch to live view mode, the autofocus system transforms into a 143-point array that covers a more significant portion of the frame and includes eye AF, similar to the one found in the Canon EOS M50.
There is an option between a single shot, mixed action, and complete action for the autofocus mode. Additionally, the AF area is chosen, which includes a single point, zone (small or big), and auto. We discovered that the tiny site AF mode works quite well for capturing general activity. The zone area can be rapidly chosen in viewfinder mode using either dial or touch the screen in live view mode.
Canon EOS Rebel T8i Image Quality
Since the Canon EOS Rebel T8i and 850D share the same image sensor and CPU as the Canon EOS M50, there shouldn’t be any surprises about the image quality of these two cameras. This is an intense shooter, creating sharp and vivid photos even in lighting conditions with high contrast.
It’s exciting to watch videos in 4K, and the more excellent resolution does provide a picture that’s noticeably clearer than those in Full HD. Because of the crop factor, it is unfortunately difficult to acquire a wide-angle perspective. On the positive side, however, you get a more telephoto image, which may be more suited to the type of video you want.
Although color vibrancy is a matter of personal preference, we are big lovers of the default color option on Canon cameras. JPEG photographs have excellent color representation, but if you want your photos to have a bright and more saturated look, you should adjust the Picture Style to match your desired look.
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i and EOS 850D can produce clear photos up to an ISO setting of 6400, contributing to the camera’s excellent image quality in low-light situations. Fine grain begins to appear at ISO 1600, but only when viewing photographs at 100%, and it is pretty acceptable; on the other hand, the detrimental effects of noise are most evident through color desaturation beginning at ISO 3200 and going higher.
In most situations, we would feel comfortable using an ISO setting of 6400 while avoiding higher sensitivity settings, which produce more noticeable brightness (and chroma noise in JPEGs).
There are still competitors on the market that are superior to this in low-light conditions. These competitors include the Pentax K-70, the Nikon D5600, and the Fujifilm X-T30. Each competitor provides a more extensive dynamic range inside a single image. There is not quite the same amount of room for recovering detail in the EOS Rebel T8i or the EOS 850D if you have a picture that is either very bright or excessively dark.
Instead of the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens we used for this test, we suggest using a wider aperture range. This will help you get the most out of your picture sensor. In some circumstances, not only is it soft, but it also exhibits chromatic aberration.
Canon EOS Rebel T8i Specs
| Body type | Compact SLR |
|---|---|
| Body material | Composite |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 26 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Digic 8 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 51200) |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 51200 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 45 |
| Number of cross-type focus points | 45 |
| Lens mount | Canon EF/EF-S |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.) |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManual |
| Scene modes | PortraitSmooth skinGroup photoLandscapeClose-upSportsKidsFoodCandlelightNight portraitHandheld night sceneHDR backlight control |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash range | 4.00 m (with Auto ISO) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleHigh-speed continuousLow-speed continuousSelf-timerRemote |
| Continuous drive | 7.5 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpotPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 120 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 120 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 60 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| USB charging | No |
| HDMI | Yes (mini HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (via wireless remote or smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 800 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 515 g (1.14 lb / 18.17 oz) |
| Dimensions | 131 x 103 x 76 mm (5.16 x 4.06 x 2.99″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Canon EOS Rebel T8i Verdict
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If you still prefer DSLRs over mirrorless cameras, the compact EOS Rebel T8i / 850D is a powerful camera with good focusing and a touchscreen that can be angled in different directions. In addition to that, it creates beautiful pictures. However, there are a few reasons to buy this camera over mirrorless alternatives that give you more bang for your buck, while older DSLRs provide a better value for the money spent.
