The new Canon EOS R8 Mark II was released this month, and it’s a fantastic lightweight full-frame camera in a travel-friendly package that builds on the original EOS R8. While the R8 Mark II has fixed a fair few of the flaws of its predecessor with some tasty tech updates as we mention in our hands-on review, the restrictive battery life remains the same. In polite terms, this can be a bit challenging!
This is the downside to travel camera bodies being small. To fit in a 24MP full-frame sensor, DIGIC X processor, IBIS, and other tech packed inside… Something’s gotta give. So there’s less space for the battery, which means a smaller battery and less battery life.
The rechargeable Canon LP-E17 battery in the EOS R8 and R8 Mark II is only good for 220 photos when using the EVF, or 370 in power-saving mode. In the real world, we found we could take around 350 photos and still have a good chunk of battery power left. But the fact remains, this isn’t many shots if you’re out for a day’s shooting and only have one battery.
In comparison, the Canon EOS R5 Mark II battery can manage 630 shots with the LCD, or 340 when using the EVF.
However, I actually have found having less battery life to play with makes you a better photographer, especially when it comes to travel photography.
I was using an EOS R8 on a city break in Madrid this summer, and I was forced to be thoughtful and economical when taking photos. Rather than the ‘spray and pray’ technique many tourists adopt, shooting everything and anything, and hoping for the best.
Instead, armed with the EOS R8 tucked in my little camera backpack, I had to plan ahead more, researching locations and working out the viewpoints for the best shots. I also took test shots on my iPhone to see how scenes looked, before using the R8 to get better hi-res images...
The added bonus of less battery means fewer images on your card, and that means less time at the computer when you’re back home editing your images.
Another bonus was, in the extreme summer heat of Madrid, less time shooting meant more time relaxing and cooling off with an Aperol Spritz or two in the shade!
