Cameras are still relatively expensive devices. But, despite their prices and the rapid development of smartphone cameras, nothing can beat the sheer quality of an actual camera. If you’re looking for a bulkier camera to take your photos, Canon has a new duo of mirrorless cameras for even the stingiest of budgets.

EOS R50

First up, the Canon EOS R50 offers a lot of quality for those who want an upgrade. Shooting at up 4K resolution, the camera can use its 24.2-million-pixel APS-C sensor and its Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology to create outstanding videos. It comes with a selection of features including whole area tracking, subject detection, and movie-prerecording.

For customization, users can fit the camera with a set of interchangeable lenses. It will also be available as part of a Content Creation Kit, which packs the camera with a microphone, lens, and a grip.

Currently set for a release in spring, the Canon EOS R50 will retail for US$ 679.99. Additionally, the camera can also come bundled with an RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens for US$ 799.99. A bundle with an RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM and an RF-S55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM lens will sell for US$ 1,029.00.

EOS R8

An affordable full-frame mirrorless camera, the EOS E8 sports a 24.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor and a DIGIC X image processor to boost an up-and-coming content creator’s output. With full-frame lenses, the EOS R8 can improve wide-angle shots even compared to other APS-C cameras. It can shoot at up to 60fps with 1^st-curtain Electronic shutter and up to 40fps with full electronic.

On its own, the EOS R8 will start selling in spring for US$ 1,499.00. Also, it can come with an RF24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens for US$ 1,699.00.

Canon Philippines has finally launched the follow-up to their much-beloved hybrid full-frame camera EOS R6 from two years ago, the EOS R6 Mark II.

The union of systems

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is a mirrorless camera featuring a 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor. Paired with the DIGIC X processor, it promises better quality photos with reduced noise. Speaking of noise, the camera can reach an ISO of up to 102,400 and low-light sensitivity below EV -6.5.

If you’re shooting a lot of action, Canon has the improved Dual Pixel AF CMOS II system with an outstanding AF zones of 1,053 and approximately 100% AF coverage.

Other than that, there’s the EOS iTR AF X (Intelligent Tracking & Recognition Autofocus) that can now track horses, trains, and airplanes aside from people, animals, and other vehicles. There’s even Deep Learning-based Subject Tracking and Auto Subject Detection as well for better tracking. This also makes an 80% faster AF performance than its EOS R6 predecessor.

For burst mode shots, you can shoot 12fps under Mechanical Shutter and 40fps with Quiet Mode support under Electronic Shutter. That’s very ideal for concerts and wildlife shoots.

If you’re that serious in videography, the EOS R6 Mark II not only offers the usual 4K/60p video recording, it also supports a jaw-dropping 6K/60p with 10-bit RAW HDMI out. And if you’re a sucker for slow motion, this hybrid camera can also shoot slo-mo Full HD at 180p.

Worried about shaky footages? Canon combines three image-stabilizing systems in one with Coordinated Control. That’s the fusion of 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilizer (IS), Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), and Movie Digital IS. There’s even the Canon Log 3 if you prefer flat-looking shooting profiles that allows you to be versatile in color grading.

Much like iPhone’s Cinematic Mode, the EOS R6 Mark II can seamlessly change focus points regardless if one tries to change the focal length through Focus Breathing Correction. You can even select several focusing speeds to match the effect and speed of the subject.

Durability-wise, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is rated to last up to 400,000 cycles. That’s more than enough for the continuous use and abuse of the hybrid mirrorless camera compared to conventional bodies of the same kind. And if you shoot under harsh weather conditions, its body is made from a durable magnesium alloy chassis that’s also dust and drip-resistant.

Other notable feature is the Dual Card Recording which allows simultaneous recording on both SD cards. That’s one 4K/60p shooting and FHD/180p on the other or just record footages and stills all at once. Lastly, the R6 Mark II uses the specialized set of RF and RF-S lenses just like any other mirrorless cameras of Canon.

A true 6ame ChangeR

Canon Philippines has finally held an in-person event ever since the launch of the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III — which I attended before the pandemic lockdown happened in the country.

We were welcomed by Canon PH’s several ambassadors on the board. They were also able to use the EOS R6 Mark II for two weeks all before the launch event took place. Those include Ian Celis together with his daughter, Eyah Celis under Ian Celis Productions based in Antipolo, Rizal.

During the small talk, Ian Celis showed us a reel showcasing his work using the EOS R6 Mark II. He even mentioned that his favorite feature has got to be Focus Breathing Correction and the FHD/180p slo-mo feature very ideal for wedding footages. Meanwhile, Eyah talked about how the camera’s lightweight body was able to help her shoot extreme lengths despite her slimness and petiteness during a marathon event.

Another in the ambassador lineup were Pat Dy and Chissai Bautista of Team Pat Dy. It started when they showed us Chissai’s interview on the large projection. As a wedding shooter, she told everyone that wedding events are always fast-paced.

But with the fast and precise AF system of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, she expounded that she was able to quickly grasp the situation around and shoot fast-moving subjects blurry-free. That’s also possible thanks to the very lightweight body of the mirrorless camera.

More so, Pat Dy has explained and showed us how the EOS R6 Mark II is a true game-changer. From its lightweight body, one-handed camera use thanks to better camera controls and ergonomics, and more about how it’s a true “hybrid” by having the ability to shoot great stills and footages all at once are just some of the great feats of Canon’s newest mirrorless camera.

Before the wrap up, Pat even did a live demo of how he shoots wedding portraits under controlled-environment situations such as a movie theater with one source of light and a diffuser. Remarkably, we have witnessed how the EOS R6 Mark II greatly-performed without compromises despite such shooting condition.

Pricing and availability

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II will be available in the Philippines starting as early as January 2023. The body only configuration will cost you PhP 179,998. There’s also a bundled RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM configuration that retails for PhP 199,998.

Other than that, Canon has also introduced a new RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM being sold at PhP 160,998 as well as a lighter external flash unit Speedlite EL-5 for PhP 30,998.

If you pre-order the EOS R6 Mark II from December 3 to January 16, you’ll get added perks like a free 128GB SD Card, additional 2 years warranty aside from the usual 1-year warranty, and a special PhP 25,000-worth Creator’s Access Membership that includes:

• Free Membership Fee
• Priority Service
• While-you-wait service
• Four (4) working days of expedited service
• Free external cleaning
• Service unit
• Lens loan for three (3) months
• Show/Event Support
• Printing Services with discounted rates

It’s been three years since the launch of the Sony A7R IV. So, it’s about time that Sony released its successor — the Sony A7R V (Sony Alpha 7R V).

The Sony A7R V is hardware and software working in tandem to provide the best images possible. It has Sony’s highest resolution image sensor with a new AI processing unit. One that’s dedicated to AI-based image recognition. It’s the first of its kind on any Sony Alpha camera. It also has the BIONZ XR image processing engine which is a first in the “R” full-frame lineup.

The new A7R V offers 61 MP still images plus the an 8-step image stabilization system. That bodes well for shooting video which you can shoot in refined 8K movie output.

The AF (Autofocus) has also been improved with advanced accuracy and broader subject recognition. Real-time Recognition AF, using AI subject recognition, has been developed to include several subject types, including animals, vehicles, and insects. The Alpha 7R V also includes continuous shooting at up to 10 fps with AF/AE tracking.

These beloved Sony Alpha features have also been improved:

• Tenacious Real-time Tracking
• Faster and more precise wide-area, high-density AF system
• Silent, vibration-free shooting at up to 7 fps
• Continuously shoot up to 583 compressed RAW images at high speed

Cinematic video capabilities

The A7R V isn’t just for taking breathtaking stills. It also ffers advanced video capabilities. Sony’s newest camera delivers 8K1 24/25p video, 4K video oversampled from 6.2K without binning, a high-efficiency MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 codec, intra recording, 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, and more for high image quality and flexible editing. It also includes evolved subject recognition for unprecedented real-time tracking reliability, breathing compensation and the ability to use camera metadata for post-processing and advanced in-body image stabilization.

Price and availability

The Sony A7R V will be available for pre-order starting October 28, 2022, until November 27, 2022. The camera can be pre-ordered with just the camera body or preferred accessories and through different payment options. Suggested pre-order net cash price starts at PhP 239,999.