Unpopular opinion: I’m not sure that the Canon EOS R8 Mark II is really a “retro camera,” but I love the new design anyways for two key reasons…

The Canon EOS R8 Mark II has been met with mixed opinions since its launch, with some viewing it as a retro camera and others finding its design more reminiscent of a Sony camera. The author of this account, however, did not consider the R8 Mark II as a true retro camera, but rather appreciated its design for two key reasons: its comfortable grip and the joystick.

The R8 Mark II is inspired by a consumer camera, specifically the Canon T80, which was a mid-1980s camera aimed at beginners and general consumers rather than serious photographers. While the T80 did not offer full manual exposure mode like the R8 Mark II, the camera's design still incorporates some elements from the T80, such as the mode dial and command dials.

The author believes that this subtle retro design was chosen to cater to newer photographers who might find full manual mode intimidating. The Canon EOS R8 Mark II may not look as retro as some other cameras, like the Nikon Zf or Fujifilm X-T5, but its ergonomic design, particularly the grip and autofocus joystick, are praised.