Canon R8 vs. Sony A6700: Head-to-Head in the Advanced Mirrorless Arena

Choosing your next camera is never a simple decision, especially when industry giants like Canon and Sony bring compelling options to the table with the R8 and A6700. Both launched in 2023, these advanced mirrorless cameras cater to enthusiasts and professionals alike - but they diverge significantly in sensor size, system design, and intended use cases. Having spent extensive hours testing these bodies side by side, I’m here to dissect their strengths, weaknesses, and real-world performance across the full photography and videography spectrum. Whether you're after stellar portraits, fast-paced wildlife capture, or reliable travel gear, this comprehensive comparison will help you pinpoint the right fit.

First Impressions: Design, Size, and Handling

A camera’s physicality profoundly shapes the photographic experience. The Canon R8 adopts an SLR-style mirrorless design grounded in Canon’s robust full-frame heritage. It measures 133 x 86 x 70 mm and weighs a mere 461 grams, striking a balance between portability and a reassuring grip.

The Sony A6700 opts for a rangefinder-style shape, more compact at 122 x 69 x 75 mm, tipping the scales slightly heavier at 493 grams due to its built-in 5-axis stabilization system and robust body build.

From my extensive grip-testing sessions, the R8 feels immediately familiar for Canon users. Large dials and a pronounced handgrip make it comfortable to operate for long periods - a boon if you often shoot handheld landscapes or weddings. The articulation of its fully articulating 3.0-inch touchscreen is fluid and bright (1620k dots), giving confidence when composing at odd angles.

Sony’s A6700 leans into its compactness for street and travel shooters. Though smaller, it remains solid and well-balanced with a less protruding grip, which could feel more cramped to those with larger hands. Its 3.0-inch screen carries a lower resolution (1040k dots), which tells in brilliant light, but the articulation mimics Canon’s versatility for vlogging or architectural work.

Overall, while both remain pocketable, the R8 suits those who prize a traditional DSLR grip and slightly larger interface elements, whereas the A6700 is the stealthier partner for urban and travel photography.

Control Layout: Intuitive Operation in the Field

Button placement and menu logic can make or break your shooting workflow. Canon and Sony have distinct philosophies here.

The R8’s top plate features a clean yet accessible layout - twin dials framing a functional mode dial with direct access to custom shooting modes. Canon retains its refined AF-ON button placement and offers dedicated ISO and exposure compensation buttons on the top-right, great for quick adjustments in dynamic situations.

Conversely, Sony’s A6700 simplifies the top deck but compensates with multifunctional customizable buttons. The mode dial is flatter and less tactile, which initially slowed my muscle memory but adapted after dedicated practice. The inclusion of a joystick on the rear allows quick AF point selection, essential for fast-moving subjects. Sony’s menu, while deep, rewards investment in learning with responsive touchscreen controls and gesture support.

For users preferring immediate one-touch changes, Canon edges slightly ahead. However, those who embrace customization and a modern interface will appreciate Sony’s approach.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

The heart of any camera is its sensor - and here the cameras take a divergent path.

Canon’s EOS R8 sports a full-frame 24.2MP CMOS sensor with an optical low-pass filter. This sensor size (36x24 mm, sensor area 864 mm²) inherently delivers superior noise control, depth of field manipulation, and dynamic range compared to smaller sensors. The R8 boasts 14.5 stops of dynamic range (per DXOmark), excellent for retaining highlight and shadow details - crucial for landscapes and portrait work under challenging lighting.

Sony’s A6700 houses a 26MP APS-C (23.5x15.6 mm, 366.6 mm² sensor area) BSI-CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter. While smaller, it benefits from backside illumination improving low-light performance, and boasts excellent pixel-level sharpness. The 1.5x crop factor is a double-edged sword - extending reach for wildlife and sports but reducing the effective field for wide scenes.

In practical terms, the R8’s sensor produces slightly richer skin tones and creamier bokeh - attributes that portrait and wedding photographers prize. The A6700 can deliver stunning images with punchy colors and intricate detail, especially in well-lit outdoor environments, though noise creeps in faster as ISO climbs beyond native limits.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Subject Tracking

Advanced autofocus systems differentiate enthusiasts from pros on fast-paced shoots. Both cameras employ phase-detection AF with face and animal eye-tracking baked into their processing engines.

The Canon R8 leads with an impressive 1053 AF points across the frame, delivering precise, instantaneous acquisition in stills and video. Its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II technology excels at smooth, reliable continuous focus, especially in video mode - ideal for interviews or run-and-gun filmmaking.

Sony offers 759 focus points with Real-time Tracking and Eye AF that works superbly for humans and animals. The A6700’s AF system impresses with its responsiveness at 11 fps continuous shooting - nearly double Canon’s 6 fps mechanical and 40 fps electronic shutter burst. This speed combo makes the Sony A6700 superior for action, sports, and wildlife genres, where anticipation and split-second timing are everything.

Both bodies handle low-contrast and low-light focusing admirably. However, Sony’s in-body 5-axis image stabilization (5-steps effective) paired with its AF gives a distinct advantage for handheld telephoto and macro work, stabilizing even when paired with non-stabilized lenses.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera claims outright "professional-grade ruggedness," but both incorporate reasonable environmental protections.

Canon’s R8 is weather sealed - good against dust and light drizzle - but lacks full waterproof or shockproof ratings. Its lighter construction reflects its more compact, budget-friendly positioning.

Sony’s A6700 also features dust and moisture resistance with a robust chassis that feels rock-solid in hand. Its slightly heavier build results in a reassuring sense of durability during extended outdoor use.

If you shoot in harsh conditions or unpredictable weather, both will hold up with caution, but Sony’s build provides an edge for demanding fieldwork.

Screen and Electronic Viewfinder: Your Window to the World

A neural pathway for every exposure lies in the viewfinder and screen.

The Canon R8 sports a 0.76x magnification EVF at 2.36M dots - bright and sharp with minimal lag - plus its 3.0-inch fully articulating touchscreen provides tactile menu navigation and flip-out directions for selfies or vlogging.

Sony’s A6700 EVF features a slightly smaller 0.71x magnification, rivaling in resolution (2.36M dots), but its electronic fidelity and refresh rate are superb. The articulating screen, though lower resolution (1040k dots), remains functional for live composing and touch focus.

Both screens are pleasant to use under a variety of lighting scenarios, but Canon’s higher-res rear display gives it a visual clarity advantage for critical manual focusing and review.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

A system is only as strong as the glass it supports.

Canon’s RF mount compatibility extends across 37 native lenses at launch - spanning ultra-wide primes to super-telephotos. This rapidly growing lineup is renowned for optical quality and innovation, including RF lenses with larger apertures and excellent image stabilization capabilities. Canon’s full-frame focus allows photographers to exploit shallower depth of field and higher resolution lenses.

Sony’s E mount is among the broadest ecosystems available, with over 199 lenses across both APS-C and full-frame formats from Sony and third-party manufacturers (Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss). Despite the smaller sensor, these lenses offer exceptional versatility, especially in telephoto and zoom ranges favored by wildlife and sports pros.

If lens choice and future-proofing wield influence, Sony’s sheer quantity may appeal more to versatile shooters, while Canon’s RF lenses offer premium quality for portraiture and landscapes.

Battery Life and Storage Logistics

Here Sony has a notable advantage.

The Sony A6700’s NP-FZ1000 battery delivers a robust 570 shots per charge (per CIPA), excellent for extended shoots or travel. Furthermore, it supports USB charging and power bank operation.

Canon’s R8 uses the smaller LP-E17 battery limiting endurance to approximately 290 shots - adequate but requiring spare batteries for marathon sessions. This reflects its lighter, more compact design ethos.

Storage-wise, both offer a single SD card slot with UHS-II support, but Sony’s dual-compatibility with Memory Stick Pro Duo adds some legacy flexibility. Neither offers dual card slots, so relying on a robust workflow for backups is prudent.

Video Capabilities: Bringing Motion to Life

Both cameras shine in 4K video capabilities, but with nuanced differences.

The Canon R8 records 4K UHD at 60p with H.264 codec up to 230 Mbps bitrate, appealing to filmmakers needing high-resolution footage with Canon’s renowned color science straight out of the box. It supports microphone and headphone jacks, enabling professional audio monitoring - a welcome surprise for this price point. Electronic shutter speeds max out at 1/16000 seconds for smooth, flicker-free slow motion.

The Sony A6700 goes a step further, delivering 4K at up to 120p in 10-bit 4:2:2 XAVC HS format (H.265), offering buttery slow-motion sequences with superior color fidelity. The 5-axis IBIS is invaluable for handheld shooting, drastically reducing shake without external stabilizers.

For pure video enthusiasts, the A6700 provides a richer feature set for creative storytelling, whereas the R8 offers a more straightforward, reliable video workflow.

Performance Steadiness Across Genres: Who Excels Where?

Bringing it all together across genres illustrates the real-world strength of these systems.

Canon R8 front Canon R8 screen back Sony A6700 front Sony A6700 screen back

Portrait Photography

Canon’s full-frame sensor combined with RF glass yields luscious skin tones and creamy bokeh that rivals much pricier models. The 1053-point AF with face and eye detection locks in beautifully, even in challenging light.

Sony’s A6700 does hold its own, with sharp detail and excellent eye autofocus, but the APS-C sensor provides less background compression, which some portraitists might find less flattering.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution play a pivotal role here. The R8’s 14.5 stops and larger sensor make it ideal for wide vistas, preserving detail across shadows and highlights. The better articulating screen and manageable weight also add to handheld versatility.

The A6700’s combination of respectable dynamic range and excellent sharpness does well, but the crop factor limits wide-angle choices naturally.

Wildlife and Sports

Sony’s rapid 11 fps continuous shooting and fast AF system, combined with 1.5x crop, gives it the edge when chasing birds, fast athletes, or distant subjects. The 5-axis stabilization means longer handheld lens combos are possible without support.

The Canon R8’s 6 fps mechanical shutter is adequate for many situations but less suited for the most demanding action or wildlife scenarios.

Street and Travel

The A6700's smaller profile and extended battery life promote discreet shooting and long sessions on the go - essential in street or travel work. The variable angle touchscreen makes framing in diverse conditions straightforward.

Canon’s slightly larger size and shorter battery life make it a more deliberate choice, but the superior image quality pays dividends.

Macro and Night/astro Photography

Sony’s IBIS and precision autofocus deliver sharper handheld macro shots. The A6700’s APS-C sensor's resolution aids in cropping tight details.

Canon's full-frame advantage shines in night and astro, with cleaner high ISO performance permitting longer exposures with less noise - a critical factor for star fields and nightscapes.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

Canon’s R8 offers reliable CR3 RAW files with extensive in-camera adjustments and a robust interface familiar to Canon users, easing integration for professionals already invested in the ecosystem.

Sony’s files are equally powerful, boasting 14-bit uncompressed RAW support and efficient tethering options, ideal for studio or commercial work.

Overall Performance Scores & Value

Breaking down the essentials, the Canon EOS R8 scores impressively in image quality and user interface ergonomics, while Sony leads in autofocus speed, stabilization, and battery endurance.

Both cameras deliver standout performance in different spheres: Canon excels in portrait and low-light landscapes; Sony dominates wildlife, sports, and video production.

Pricing is competitive: Canon's R8 is $1499 body-only, while Sony's A6700 is $1399, making cost less of a decider and more a nudge based on personal preferences.

Final Thoughts: Which Mirrorless Fits Your Vision?

Having tested the Canon R8 and Sony A6700 extensively, here’s my distilled advice grounded in both technical assessment and hands-on experience:

• Choose the Canon EOS R8 if:
  You prioritize full-frame image quality with robust dynamic range, stunning skin tones for portraiture, and reliable video features in a compact package. It’s the ideal choice for photographers looking to step into full-frame without overwhelming size or complexity.

• Opt for the Sony A6700 if:
  You demand fast autofocus with high continuous shooting speeds plus built-in stabilization for handheld versatility. It’s perfect for wildlife and sports shooters, street photographers valuing discretion and battery endurance, or hybrid shooters who demand advanced video specs.

In a nutshell, the Canon R8 can be seen as a lightweight full-frame powerhouse with classic ergonomics, while Sony’s A6700 is a versatile APS-C workhorse with speed and stabilization at its core. Both raise the bar in the advanced mirrorless segment and offer excellent value for their respective ambitions.

Thank you for joining me in this detailed comparison. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want me to drill deeper into any workflow or genre. Choosing your next camera is a personal journey, and I hope this article brings clarity to yours.

Safe shooting!

• [Expert Camera Reviewer]