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Canon 850D vs T8i

The Canon 850D and the Canon T8i are identical cameras that only differ by name. Canon sells the camera in different regions of the world using an alternative designation because of marketing and warranty considerations. Hence, there is not much to differentiate the two. You might want to move across to the CAM-parator app in order to select two other camera models for a more meaningful comparison, or just scroll down to the tables on this page to see how the Canon 850D (aka Canon T8i) relates to a set of comparators.

The Canon EOS 850D (called Canon T8i in some regions) and the Canon EOS Rebel T8i (labelled Canon 850D in some countries) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public in February 2020. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon 850D
versus
Canon T8i
Canon 850D   Canon T8i
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
24 MP – APS-C sensor 24 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/24p Video 4K/24p Video
ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200) ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Swivel touchscreen Swivel touchscreen
7.5 shutter flaps per second 7.5 shutter flaps per second
800 shots per battery charge800 shots per battery charge
131 x 103 x 76 mm, 515 g 131 x 103 x 76 mm, 515 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 850D and the Canon EOS Rebel T8i? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 850D and the Canon T8i are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon 850D vs Canon T8i
Compare 850D versus T8i top
Comparison 850D or T8i rear

In this particular case, the Canon 850D and the Canon T8i have exactly the same width and height, and, thus, have identically-sized bodies. Moreover, the two cameras also share the same weight. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 850D nor the T8i are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 850D 131 mm 103 mm 76 mm 515 g 800 n Feb 2020 749ebay.com
2.
 
Canon T8i 131 mm 103 mm 76 mm 515 g 800 n Feb 2020 749ebay.com
3.
 
Canon RP 133 mm 85 mm 70 mm 485 g 250 n Feb 2019 1,299 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SL3 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 449 g 1070 n Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 250D 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 449 g 1070 n Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
6.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II 111 mm 61 mm 46 mm 340 g 230 n Jul 2019 899ebay.com
7.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III 105 mm 61 mm 41 mm 304 g 235 n Jul 2019 749 amazon.com
8.
 
Canon 2000D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
9.
 
Canon 77D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 540 g 600 n Feb 2017 899ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 200D 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 800D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 532 g 600 n Feb 2017 749ebay.com
12.
 
Canon T7i 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 532 g 600 n Feb 2017 749ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 750D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 760D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
15.
 
Canon T6i 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
16.
 
Canon T6s 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Canon 850D and Canon T8i sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 24 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the 850D and the T8i have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. Moreover, the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation.

The Canon EOS 850D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The Canon EOS Rebel T8i offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

850D versus T8i MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 850D APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p24.013.5187383
2.
 
Canon T8i APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/24p24.013.5187383
3.
 
Canon RP Full Frame 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.311.9297785
4.
 
Canon SL3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.4179182
5.
 
Canon 250D APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.4179182
6.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.458365
7.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.458365
8.
 
Canon 2000D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.611.9100971
9.
 
Canon 77D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.397178
10.
 
Canon 200D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
11.
 
Canon 800D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.713.1158680
12.
 
Canon T7i APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.713.1158680
13.
 
Canon 750D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
14.
 
Canon 760D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
15.
 
Canon T6i APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
16.
 
Canon T6s APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/24p).

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The 850D and the T8i are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), as well as the same magnification (0.51x). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 850D, the Canon T8i, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 850Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.5/s Y n
2.
 
Canon T8ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.5/s Y n
3.
 
Canon RP2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon SL3optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 250Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 30/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon G7 X Mark IIInone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 30/s Y Y
8.
 
Canon 2000Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon 77Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon 200Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon 800Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon T7ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
13.
 
Canon 750Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Canon 760Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
15.
 
Canon T6ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
16.
 
Canon T6soptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

The Canon 850D and the Canon T8i both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 850D and the T8i write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 850D and Canon EOS Rebel T8i and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 850DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
2.
 
Canon T8iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
3.
 
Canon RPYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon SL3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Canon 250DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro3.1Y-Y
7.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III-stereo / monoY-micro3.1Y-Y
8.
 
Canon 2000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
9.
 
Canon 77DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
10.
 
Canon 200DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
11.
 
Canon 800DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
12.
 
Canon T7iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
13.
 
Canon 750DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
14.
 
Canon 760DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
15.
 
Canon T6iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
16.
 
Canon T6sYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
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Both the 850D and the T8i have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Canon. Further information on the features and operation of the 850D and T8i can be found, respectively, in the Canon 850D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon T8i Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Canon 850D better than the Canon T8i or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 850D:

  • Well, not many: Does not have any feature that gives it a substantial advantage over the T8i.


Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS Rebel T8i:

  • Well, not many: Does not offer any functionality that gives it a clear advantage over the 850D.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the match-up finishes in a tie (0 points each).

850D 00:00 T8i

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 850D and the Canon T8i place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 850D and the T8i in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 850D4/5+3/580/1004/53.5/5 Feb 2020 749ebay.com
2.
 
Canon T8i4.5/5+3/580/1004/53.5/5 Feb 2020 749ebay.com
3.
 
Canon RP4/5+4/5..4.5/54/5 Feb 2019 1,299 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SL34/5o4.5/579/1004/54/5 Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 250D4/5o4.5/579/1004/54/5 Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
6.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II4/5+4/582/100..4/5 Jul 2019 899ebay.com
7.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III..+ +4/581/1004/5.. Jul 2019 749 amazon.com
8.
 
Canon 2000D3/5o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
9.
 
Canon 77D4.5/5..4/582/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 899ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 200D4/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 800D4.5/5..3.5/580/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 749ebay.com
12.
 
Canon T7i4.5/5..3.5/580/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 749ebay.com
13.
 
Canon 750D5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
14.
 
Canon 760D5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
15.
 
Canon T6i5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
16.
 
Canon T6s5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Canon 850D vs Canon T8i

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon 850D Canon T8i
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2020 February 2020
    Launch Price USD 749 USD 749
    Sensor Specs Canon 850D Canon T8i
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.72 μm 3.72 μm
    Pixel Density 7.22 MP/cm2 7.22 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/24p Video 4K/24p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 51,200 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 8 DIGIC 8
    Screen Specs Canon 850D Canon T8i
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.51x 0.51x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Canon 850D Canon T8i
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 7.5 shutter flaps/s 7.5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Canon 850D Canon T8i
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Canon 850D Canon T8i
    Battery Type Canon LP-E17 Canon LP-E17
    Battery Life (CIPA)800 shots per charge800 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 131 x 103 x 76 mm
    (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in)
    131 x 103 x 76 mm
    (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 515 g (18.2 oz) 515 g (18.2 oz)
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