Canon reported to announce EOS R8, EOS R50 bodies and two new lenses in the next week

It looks like Canon’s getting ready to expand their EOS R camera collection. And they’re not just refreshing old models but introducing two new product lines. According to a post on Asobinet, Canon is set to announce two new cameras on February 8th. The first is the (full -frame?) Canon EOS R8 and the APS-C Canon EOS R50 (possibly the first true successor model to the EOS M system).

As well as two new cameras, we’re also expected to see two new lenses coming, the full-frame RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM and an APS-C lens, the Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM. There aren’t any specs on the new lenses yet, but there are prices for one of them, along with the two cameras.

There aren’t many specs yet at all, really. In fact, there are none, except for the lens kits that the cameras will come with.

Canon EOS R8

• Expected announcement: February 8th
• Kit lens: RF 24-60mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
• Price: $1,499 body only, $1,699 with the kit lens

Canon EOS R50

• Expected announcement: February 8th
• Colour options: Possibly two – Two SKUs have been listed for the EOS R50 (5811C001, 5812C001)
• Kit lenses: RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM
• Price: $679 body only, $799 single lens kit, $1,029, double lens kit

Canon RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

• Registered at retailers
• Expected announcement: February 8th
• Price: $299

Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM

• Expected announcement: February 8th
• Price: Unknown

The EOS R8 may be a true replacement model for the original Canon EOS R. Given its price point, it certainly would line up at that level in the Canon EOS R landscape. The EOS R is also the oldest camera in Canon’s full-frame mirrorless lineup and is long overdue for replacement. Exactly what specs and features the camera will bring with it, is currently unknown and it may not even be a traditional design, like Canon’s other full-frame mirrorless cameras. Given the 24-60mm range of the new kit lens that’s expected to come with it, this may turn out to be Canon’s version of the Sony A7c. If so, it’ll be interesting to see how it holds up when Sony announces the rumoured A7C II – although that might still be months away.

The EOS R50, on the other hand, will likely be a true replacement for Canon’s previous mirrorless camera system, EOS M. Yes, Canon has a couple of APS-C RF bodies already – the EOS R7 and EOS R10 – but those have generally been considered as replacements for Canon’s 7D and “Rebel” line of DSLRs rather than EOS M cameras. The numbering system of the name, along with the price, suggests that it’s going to be an EOS M50 II successor. Hopefully, this one won’t have a crazy 4K crop that makes the sensor smaller than Micro Four Thirds!

If the EOS R8 turns out to be Canon’s version of Sony’s A7C and the EOS R50 is an M50 product line replacement, then it seems like we might have a vlogging-themed product launch coming on February 8th that covers both full-frame and APS-C shooters. With the number of bodies starting to pile up in the EOS R lineup now, though, bearing in mind we still don’t have an EOS R1 flagship, and there are a lot of EOS M cameras that still need replacing, I wonder how many we’ll ultimately see in the range. Is Canon going potentially spreading itself too thin? Especially when there’s going to be pretty much zero third-party lens support?

I guess we’ll find out at least some of the story next week, assuming more leaks don’t beat Canon to the punch!

[via Asobinet]