Canon disproves speculations that it is abandoning all DSLR development with the release of the EOS Rebel T8i (or Canon EOS 850D in the EU). The Canon EOS850D aims to replace the brand’s current top beginner-friendly DSLR camera, the Canon EOS 800D or Rebel T7i. Take a look below to see how these two cameras compare against each other.
With 24.2 MP (APS-C), dual-pixel CMOS AF, 1080p video recording capability, and intuitive interface, the Canon EOS Rebel 800D T7i is easily one of the best beginner-targeted DSLR cameras you can get.
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Canon EOS Rebel T8i (850D) vs T7i (800D) DSLR Camera Comparison Chart
| Model | Canon EOS 850D (Rebel T8i) | |
 | | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon.com | Check Price at Amazon.com |
| Dimensions | 131.0 x 102.6 x 76.2 mm | 131.0 x 99.9 x 76.2 mm |
| Weight | 515 g | 532 g |
| CMOS Sensor | 24.1 MP | 24.2 MP (APS-C) |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 8 | DIGIC 7 |
| Optical Viewfinder | All-cross 45-point AF | All-cross 45-point AF |
| Dual Pixel CMOS AF | Yes | Yes |
| Continuous Shooting | 7 fps | 6 fps |
| ISO | n/a | 100-25600 |
| Video | Up to 4K at 30p | Up to 1080p at 60p |
| LCD | 3-inch 1.04M dots | 3-inch 1.04M dots |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Weather-Sealed | n/a | No |
Design
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i and T7i look virtually identical.
No real surprises here, as Canon keeps its signature look consistent throughout its cameras. It also makes sense that the Canon EOS Rebel T8i/850D follows closely after the model it’s meant to replace. The 850D is taller by a hair than the EOS Rebel T7i/800D but there’s a bit more noticeable drop in weight, at 515 grams vs 532 grams.
A quick look at the back shows that there are fewer buttons on the EOS Rebel T8i than on the T7i, resulting in a somewhat less cluttered interface. The button layouts are nearly the same, and mirrors the rest of Canon’s DSLR and mirrorless lines so users can feel familiar within the brand’s products.
Both cameras will have the same 3-inch LCD screen that can swivel out and rotate. Resolution also doesn’t see any changes, as these will display 1.04 million dots in full color. It’s unconfirmed yet whether the new EOS 850D will retain the 3.5mm headphone jack which was a welcome inclusion in the EOS 800D, as it improved audio during recordings.
Take stunning 24.1 MP photos and 4K videos with the Canon EOS Rebel 850D (Rebel T8i). It's equipped with an optical viewfinder with a 45-point all cross-type AF System with Face Detection.
Features
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i will use a more advanced image processor than the EOS Rebel T7i.
The leaked specs list shows that the Canon EOS 850D/T8i will have a slight decrease in megapixel count compared to the EOS 800D/T7i, at 24.1 MP vs 24.2 MP. It should still be the same APS-C sensor though. The EOS Rebel T8i keeps the 45-point cross-type AF system, as well as Dual Pixel CMOS AF features of the EOS Rebel T7i, which sounds a tad unexciting given the latter, was released roughly 3 years ago.
The big change is in the upgraded image processor of the T8i, as it will be powered by Canon’s DIGIC 8. This is the same processor used in 2019 releases such as the EOS 90D and EOS M6 Mark II. We can expect a noticeable improvement in overall speed to the camera’s operation compared to the DIGIC 7 on the T7i. No other new features are being reported yet so we’ll have to see what Canon officially reveals later in February.
Performance
The Canon EOS 850D (Rebel T8i) can record better quality videos than the EOS 800D (Rebel T7i).
Finally Canon’s entry-level DSLR offering joins the majority of other brands in being capable of 4K video quality topping out at 30 frames per second. Even better, the EOS Rebel T8i (850D) won’t have any cropping aside from the standard 1.6x crop of APS-C camera bodies from Canon. This is a nice upgrade to the 1080p at 60fps limit of the EOS Rebel T7i (800D).
Canon also further improves the EOS 850D’s burst shooting prowess, as it will have a 7.0 fps continuous shooting speed compared to the 6.0 fps of the EOS 800D. This will be slightly higher in Live View, at 7.5 fps. We’re excited to see how all of these upgrades will improve image and video quality in this new generation of beginner-level DSLR cameras.
Verdict
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i is sizing up to be a better entry-level DSLR camera than the EOS Rebel T7i.
With 24.2 MP (APS-C), dual-pixel CMOS AF, 1080p video recording capability, and intuitive interface, the Canon EOS Rebel 800D T7i is easily one of the best beginner-targeted DSLR cameras you can get.
Take stunning 24.1 MP photos and 4K videos with the Canon EOS Rebel 850D (Rebel T8i). It's equipped with an optical viewfinder with a 45-point all cross-type AF System with Face Detection.
With the capability to record in 4K resolution, the Canon EOS Rebel T8i (EOS 850D) is a highly attractive camera to video content creators, especially with its mic input. With a more advanced DIGIC 8 image processor, it comes equipped with the latest performance boosts from Canon, along with its polished user-friendly interface.
Meanwhile, the Canon EOS 800D (EOS Rebel T7i) is easily one of the best beginner-targeted DSLR cameras you can get. Canon provides helpful and easy to understand guides within the camera to help novices with its numerous settings. In addition to having one of the smoothest touchscreen interfaces in DSLRs, the EOS Rebel T7i is capable of stunning images with plenty of detail.
FAQs
They are the same model, but the Canon EOS Rebel 800D are for units sold outside of the US while the same unit is called the EOS Rebel T7i in the US.
Yes, the Canon EOS Rebel 850D (or T8i in the US) was recently unveiled by Canon.
The Canon EOS Rebel 850D (T8i) can shoot higher-resolution images and 4K videos than the 800D (T7i). For more details at a glance, see our comparison chart above.
No, the Canon 800D is equipped with a 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor. It’s best for beginners who are looking to upgrade from point and shoot cameras, but the more experienced photographers may want the top-tier Canon models such as the EOS R5 and R6.