Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D

The EOS Rebel T8i, sold as the 850D in some regions, is an APS-C DSLR released in 2020. It uses Canon's EF/EF-S mount, so EF and EF-S lenses fit without adapters.

It suits anyone who prefers framing through an optical viewfinder and wants straightforward stills shooting, from newcomers stepping up from a phone to hobbyists covering family, travel and everyday subjects.

The body weighs 515 g and measures 131 x 103 x 76 mm. It also includes a flip-out touchscreen for flexible framing from high, low or front-facing positions.

The 24MP APS-C sensor produces files with enough detail for large prints and leaves latitude for cropping when a frame needs tightening.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 25600, providing a broad range of useful exposure settings as light changes. ISO 100 suits bright or controlled conditions, while the upper limit gives more exposure headroom when light falls.

Burst shooting reaches up to 7.5 frames per second, a maximum suited to brief action sequences. The 1/4000 s top shutter speed can help freeze movement or manage brighter scenes, while very wide apertures in strong sunlight may need more care.

Framing happens through an optical pentamirror viewfinder, which gives a direct view of the scene. There is no in-body stabilisation, so slower handheld exposures may need steady technique, a stabilised lens or a firm support.

The T8i records video up to 4K resolution in MPEG-4 files, while frame rates reach 60 fps. The higher frame-rate option supports smoother motion, and 4K provides more room for cropping or reframing during editing.

The flip-out touchscreen and live view make solo filming easier. Flip the screen toward yourself to check framing, or tilt it to shoot from low and high positions the optical viewfinder cannot comfortably reach.

A built-in time-lapse mode creates sequences inside the camera, so you can capture moving clouds or fading evening light without carrying an external intervalometer.

One planning note: 4K clips take up more card space than lower-resolution footage, so plan card capacity accordingly.

The 3-inch LCD carries 1,040,000 dots for playback and live view. It responds to touch for menu navigation and image review, while the flip-out design supports high, low and front-facing framing.

A built-in flash is on hand for a touch of fill light when a scene needs lifting, and an external flash is supported when you want more power or directional control.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both built in, giving you two wireless ways to connect the camera with other devices.

There is no weather sealing, so keep the body sheltered in rain or dust. GPS is absent too, so location data must be added another way if your work needs it.

A single SD, SDHC or SDXC slot handles storage and accepts UHS-I cards. The body holds one card at a time, so plan enough capacity and handle the card carefully when a shoot cannot be repeated.

The LP-E17 battery is rated at 800 shots. Treat that as a reference figure rather than a promise, because heavy live view and video sessions can draw more power, and a second battery is a sensible addition for busy days.

Because there is no USB charging, the LP-E17 battery cannot be topped up over a USB cable while you are out, so factor in charging time between shoots.