I Tested Canon's First Retro Camera, and It Proves Throwback Gear Doesn't Have to Be a Gimmick

<p>I've been patiently waiting for Canon to hop on the nostalgia bandwagon and release a retro-inspired <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-digital-cameras" target="_self">camera</a>. A few of its competitors have turned back time with great results; the <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/nikon-z-f" target="_self">Nikon Z f</a> and <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/fujifilm-x100vi" target="_self">Fujifilm X100VI</a> are obvious examples, both of which could be mistaken for a '70s or '80s film cam from a distance. Canon is joining the party with the EOS R8 Mark II (starting at $1,899), a retro-looking midrange full-frame camera that sits between entry-level and enthusiast-grade gear.</p><p>Exterior aside, the Mark II is a refined version of the <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/canon-eos-r8" target="_self">original R8</a>; it adds 5-axis sensor stabilization and a larger image buffer, but is otherwise quite similar. That's not a detriment, as I praised the R8 for its excellent photos, fast autofocus, and 40fps capture when I reviewed it in 2023.