Best Memory Cards Canon R8

The Canon R8 boasts impressive performance and a range of capabilities that require the fastest UHS-II memory cards, but due to the camera’s versatility, this is not always necessarily the best option for everyone.

Some may be able to use slower v60 UHS-II or UHS-I cards, while others may require the highest-performing v90 UHS-II cards.

Use this guide to help you find the best memory cards for the Canon R8 that suit your needs.

Canon R8 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H

Canon R8 Memory Card Recommendations

The Canon R8 can shoot raw images at 40 fps with the electronic shutter or 12 fps with the mechanical shutter. Photographers looking to take advantage of these burst speeds will want to buy the fastest V90 UHS-II memory cards that are available.

V60 UHS-II cards offer a better balance of value and size for casual shooting or video production. They maintain a minimum data rate of 60MB/s, which is fast enough to handle even the highest video bitrate the camera can offer. Video shooters only need a UHS-II v60 card to keep up with the camera’s 340Mbps bitrate.

The list below provides an overview of the tested UHS-II memory cards’ performance in the Canon R6. We will update the list with R8 performance soon, but we don’t anticipate significant changes.

Canon R8 Memory Card Speed Test | Benchmarks

This list taken from the Canon R6 shows how each memory card performed in-camera by calculating the time it takes to clear a continuous burst. When I get my hands on the R8 I’ll update it with all the latest cards as well. There are a few like the Lexar 1800x that I am missing with this initial benchmark.

Canon EOS R8 Specs

List of Canon RF Lenses

Best Memory Cards 4k Video

Canon EOS R8 Video Specs & Recording Modes

Users of the Canon R8 will appreciate its impressive video quality and recording modes that offer a great deal of flexibility. A notable feature of this camera is its high-quality 10-bit 4:2:2 h.265 encoding, which allows for 4k UHD up to 60fps and delivers exceptional image quality.

I’m still trying to confirm some of these stats as it’s not documented in the manual, but it looks like Canon is uses these encoding specs across their lineup.

Record Limit: None.
Audio File Format: AAC, Linear PCM

Canon R8 Record Times – Memory Card Capacity

The following chart displays record times for various bitrates across different memory card sizes.

I’m not sure exactly if the R8 is sharing these same specs as the other cameras, but you can use this chart to determine the necessary memory card capacity for various recording settings.

What Size Memory Card Is Best?

If you are uncertain about which memory card size to purchase, I recommend opting for 128GB cards, particularly if you plan on shooting a lot of videos or attending events. In my experience, 128GB cards work well for lower megapixel cameras, such as a 24MP camera, since they do not tend to fill up quickly in a single day.

For a 64GB card, I typically do not encounter any issues unless I am shooting continuously on the same card for several days. Additionally, Canon offers CRAW and HEIF recording modes, which produce smaller files than standard RAW, allowing for more shots per card if you are casually shooting.

Avoiding Counterfeit Memory Cards

In all of my memory card tests, I make sure to include a critical section addressing a serious issue involving fraudulent manipulation of memory card controllers. Some scammers modify the memory controller on memory cards to deceive buyers into believing they have more memory than they actually possess. They then alter the labeling to reflect the fake size. Consequently, when you purchase a supposed 128GB card, it may only have 32 or 64GB of memory. While the card functions well and appears to be a 128GB card when formatted, it will fail once you exceed its actual memory limit.

The easiest method for determining whether your memory card is counterfeit is to fill it up entirely. If you approach the rated size without any issues, your card is likely legitimate.

To avoid counterfeit memory cards, purchase from reputable retailers such as B&H, BestBuy, Walmart, Adorama, and other trustworthy stores. If you choose to shop on Amazon or eBay, ensure that you only buy from reputable vendors.

Best Memory Cards Canon R8 Conclusions

For rapid buffer clearance, while continuously bursting with your Canon R8, it is advisable to purchase the fastest V90 UHS-II memory cards.

However, for most users, V60 UHS-II cards should provide sufficient performance while also being budget-friendly.

If you are recording video at the highest bitrate, it is preferable to use V60 cards, such as the Sony M cards. However, for lower 4k bitrates or 1080p, UHS-I cards will suffice.