Canon EOS 850D vs EOS 800D: DSLR Comparison for Beginners

Canon EOS 850D vs EOS 800D: DSLR Comparison for Beginners The Canon EOS 850D (known in the United States as the Rebel T8i) it is the sequel to the EOS 800D (Rebel T7i) which was released in 2017. Attention the world of ; the camera may have switched to mirror, but many people prefer DSLRs, so is the 850D quite a significant upgrade from its predecessor? The most obvious upgrade is 4K video capture, but the 850D also brings a host of smaller, more subtle upgrades, including a new processor, which should improve your overall shooting experience. These two cameras look almost identical, have the same pentamirror viewfinder magnification and 3-inch vari-angle touch screens. So, what else is different and is it enough to convince you to trade in your EOS 800D / Rebel T7i? Canon Rebel T8i/850D (Image credit: Canon)

Sensor

Those hoping for a major sensor upgrade may be disappointed with the Canon EOS 850D / Rebel T8i. It has a 24.1 MP APS-C sensor compared to the old 24.2 MP chip in the 800D. This is the number of "effective" megapixels, and the total sensor for each is 25.8 megapixels. You get the same sensor area and the difference in resolution is minimal. We expect the EOS 850D to have the same chip as the Canon EOS 250D. And there's not a huge gap in image quality between the 800D and 250D. This apparent walk on water is not a bad thing. A resolution of 24 megapixels is good for an APS-C sensor, as it offers a good balance of detail at low ISO and large enough photosites for cases where higher sensitivities are needed. So it's not surprising that the two cameras have the same ISO range. Both have a native ISO range of 100 to 25,600, which can be extended to 51,200 when you need to take photos in a very dark environment and can support that your images just don't look that good. Shutter speeds on tap are the same, too, at 1/4000th of a second up to 30 seconds, for when the light is very dim and your tripod extra sturdy. Canon Rebel T8i/850D (Image credit: Canon)

Autofocus

We're used to seeing what seem like big improvements to AF systems on mirrorless cameras since they're rooted in the sensor. But in the world of low-cost digital SLRs? Not so much. Like its predecessor, the Canon EOS 850D / Rebel T8i has 45 cross-type AF points. It might seem low if you're more of a fan of mirrorless cameras, but focusing with them will be fast and accurate. Canon claims the 850D is better at focusing in low light, with lock-on using the center focus point at -4EV, compared to -3EV on the 800D. There's a sharper difference when you enter Live View mode, using the LCD screen to compose. On both cameras, it scales back from the traditional phase-detection AF system to a sensor-based Dual Pixel AF system. The Canon EOS 800D has a maximum of 49 focus points on the screen, with the 850D up to 143 points, depending on the shooting mode used. Of course, if you use Live View most of the time, it's probably worth looking at a mirrorless camera like the Canon EOS M6 Mark II instead of a DSLR. Canon Rebel T8i / EOS 850D (Image credit: Canon)

Processor and performance

One of the most obvious advantages of the Canon EOS 850D / Rebel T8i is its shooting performance. It has a new Digic 8 processor, capable of burst speeds up to 7 fps. Or 7.5 frames per second using Live View. The 7D's Digic 800 processor shoots up to 6 frames per second. While this update doesn't elevate the 850D to a new level of sports-style shooting, we'll take any boost we can get if it means capturing that perfect frame during fast-paced action. This new processor should also see some improvements for better ISO noise management. Judging by the Canon EOS 250D, a slight reduction in color noise is the most likely result in the real world. Sensor metering has also been changed from 760 points on the EOS 800D to 200,000 points on the EOS 850D. This should also contribute to autofocus performance. The other core technology remains the same, the two cameras offering Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity. They also use the same LP-E17 battery. But presumably thanks to improved efficiency from some of the new gear, the EOS 850D is designed for up to 800 shots, compared to the 600D's 800D. (based on CIPA industry standard, in viewer mode). Canon Rebel T8i/850D (Image credit: Canon)

ADIEX

Shooting speed brought us the first major improvement from the Canon EOS 850D, but the video is the most important. It can shoot video at 4K resolution, while the 800D's highest capture mode is 1080p at 60 frames per second. The 4D's 850K capture is at 24 or 25 frames per second, not at 60, but that's exactly what we expect from a DSLR. And, like last time, video mode can use five-axis digital stabilization for smoother images. Some bad news: when shooting 4K video, focus is limited to contrast-based AF. Since this loses the phase detection of Canon's Dual Pixel AF system, you'll likely see a focus search if you refocus. Both cameras have a 3,5mm jack for an external microphone and a mini HDMI output. Canon Rebel T8i/850D (Image credit: Canon)

Market

The Canon EOS 850D / Rebel T8i has a similar introductory price to its predecessor. You can also buy it with a kit zoom, the EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, for €899.99 / €899 (about AU$1,740). Of course, these days the EOS 800D can be found for around €200 / €200 less than its original cost online, so it's good value for money considering the proximity to its successor, at least in terms of specs. The Nikon D5600 is the obvious alternative, but, like the 800D, it's pretty old now and doesn't have 4K video capture. The Canon EOS 850D is the best buy for 4K video from a traditional DSLR manufacturer on a budget right now. But there are plenty of compelling competitors if you want to try a mirrorless camera. The Sony A6100 with a kit lens can be found for much less, as can the Canon EOS M50 compact camera. Canon Rebel T8i / EOS 850D (Image credit: Canon)

Early verdict

The Canon EOS 850D / Rebel T8i does enough to keep the company's DSLR range going for the present, adding 4K video. Other improvements, such as a slightly better burst speed and longer battery life, by CIPA figures make it more like the Gentiles. Affordable DSLRs may have lost momentum compared to the many mirrorless alternatives, but for now, this is the obvious choice if you want a DSLR with 4K video that isn't prohibitively expensive and takes advantage of traditional DSLR benefits, including handling and The battery life.