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TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition: Two-minute review

The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition is a premium golf watch that also doubles as a superb smartwatch for daily use. It offers a seriously impressive package as a gold watch and smartwatch combo with many top-line golf features, a great design, display, and build quality, and excellently intuitive use.

Yes, it's pricey, but it absolutely earns its place among the best golf watches by offering a top-tier, premium option made by a brand that has some serious pedigree in the history of wristwatch making and the market more widely.

The Calibre E4 Golf Edition channels the TAG Heuer quality pedigree in its design and build and this is evident as soon as you open the box. It's a chic and sleek titanium watch with a matte black finish that oozes quality. The 'Golf Edition' engraved bezel is a beaut, and the two buttons and dial (or 'crown' as TAG Heuer calls it, reminiscent of the Apple Watch's digital crown) are easy to use and engage with while wearing a golf glove. All buttons are satisfying to use, and the dial is a joy on the golf course too.

The display is crisp and clear and has very punchy colors and contrasts. I use a screen protector personally, but the Sapphire crystal screen gives me great confidence if it were to get knocked or bashed.

When it comes to the golf features specifically, the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition excels and is superb. There are more than 40,000 courses preloaded onto the TAG Heuer golf ecosystem, and my experience of getting any amendments or changes made via speaking to TAG has also been very good. Each course's hole is displayed cleanly, crisply, and clearly on the AMOLED display and makes for clear navigation, though some of the colors could be more distinct as the shades used for areas of trees and bunkers can look very similar at a glance. You can use the crown to navigate your way along each and every hole, and 10-yard lines help you to gauge distance quickly and between course locations or hazards.

Then there are the specialist features. The first is the watch's shot-tracking feature which is excellent and automatic and tracks all your shots from drives to putts. The watch and excellent companion TAG Golf app on your phone will be able to build your rounds as you go and allow you to review them afterward in 3D (on your phone, not on the watch). This is a brilliant feature, and as well as relying on the automatic tracking, you can also manually input them - as well as delete any duffers you don't want skewing the data too! This can help you build an invaluable bank of data to rely on when thinking about club choice and golf course management and strategy - especially at those courses or course 

Alongside this, the watch will also measure the distance you've hit shots which builds toward offering an accurate 'virtual caddie' base of information, which you can refer to to get a club suggestion at any yardage when going for the pin or any other location on the hole. Over time, this optimizes and provides distance averages that are reliable and accurate, and the investment you put into it over a period of time really pays off. I've consistently found the whole process with each round of 18 or 9 holes to be extremely satisfying too, from measuring shot data to making changes to my bag when incorporating new clubs, all the way to reviewing shots and scores afterward in the on-course pictures.

The whole experience of having a Calibre E4 Golf Edition for premium golf watch use is also apparently from the presentation and physical extras you get. The box is incredibly sleek, and you also get a sleeve of Tag Heuer-emblazoned Pro V1s inside as well as a replacement ball marker – one of which comes attached to your watch already, magnetized to the clasp.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition also makes a claim to be a premium contender for best smartwatch and best fitness tracker with its broader feature set, too. Running Google's WearOS 3, the watch is a joy to use and navigate for everyday tasks such as message and app notifications, media controls, and checking the weather and my calendar. 

However, I've particularly enjoyed the fitness tracking functionalities measuring steps, and calories, and promoting the WHO's Heart Points to help visualise getting up and about. I've mainly used this only for going for long dog walks and hikes but it'll have you covered for other workouts from running to cycling to swimming.

Battery life is robust all round too. In my months of testing and using the watch I've never been in trouble, always making it to my charger at the end of a day with juice in the tank. For example, with a round of 18 with the full shot tracking on and using it as a smartwatch from dawn till dusk, the Calibre E4 Golf Edition will easily last a full day. Using it as a smartwatch only, I've got two full days of usage out of it. The bespoke charging dock also juices up the watch incredibly quickly which can rapidly get you out of a pinch and is a welcome feature.

As far as downsides go, there are, in 2024, a few of the very latest and very greatest golf features not on the Calibre E4 Golf Edition. For example, more recent entries into the golf watch space, like the Garmin Approach S70, offer excellent and specific features such as green contour mapping to assist putting, and 'plays like' tech that will take into account weather conditions to give you even more precise yardages for shots which might give those watches an advantage on the features front if you're looking for every bell and whistle. 

The value-for-money proposition of the Calibre E4 Golf Edition has also perhaps taken a slight hit in 2024 due to the aforementioned competitors.

If you want a premium watch that offers the best of both golfwatch and smartwatch worlds, then the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition is still hard to beat as a premium golf watch option.

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition: Specifications

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition: Scorecard TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition: Should I buy? Buy if it... Don't buy it if... Also consider How I tested the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition

I have been using the 45mm variant of the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition as my golf watch for eight months now, using it most weeks on the course. It's also been my day-to-day smartwatch for the past six months or so, replacing a Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.

I have committed months to using the Calibre E4 Golf Edition using it for multiple rounds and tracking 100s of shots. I have used it on a few courses and also adapted it, and the app on my Samsung Galaxy S22, to changes in my bag. 

When I first got the TAG Heuer I was able to do some basic side-by-side testing with my previous golf watch, the Garmin Approach S40.

First reviewed July 2024

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Amazon Web Services (AWS) has revealed plans to invest £8 billion into the construction, operation, and maintenance of data centres across the UK over the next five years.

The project is expected to contribute £14 billion to UK GDP before 2028, and support more than 14,000 jobs within the data centre supply chain, including construction, engineering, and telecoms.

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Sony Bravia 8: Two-minute review

Sony consolidated its TV lineup for 2024 with fewer models and a naming convention that was easier to follow. Perhaps what was most interesting about this move was that a mini-LED TV – the Bravia 9 – was spearheading the charge as the new flagship Sony TV, effectively demoting OLED to the next rung down. Enter the Bravia 8, a pure WOLED screen that replaces the excellent A80L. 

If you want the absolute pinnacle of Sony’s OLED prowess, the A95L released in 2023 is still available to buy, complete with its much higher price tag. But you may not feel the need to stretch that high, since the Bravia 8 (on review here) takes the A80L's winning formula and makes a few notable improvements.

Sony claims this latest mid-range OLED model is brighter than its predecessor, yet manages to do without some of the brightness-boosting tech we’ve seen applied to other OLED TVs in the past couple of years. Instead, the Bravia 8 relies on Sony’s new Bravia XR processor to do the proverbial heavy lifting and stake a claim as one of the best OLED TVs you can buy.

This processor harnesses the power of AI to better understand the image on screen and make adjustments to ensure it’s delivered at its absolute best. And it does (for the most part) improve over the A80L where brightness is concerned to deliver a gorgeous picture no matter if you’re watching TV or movies, or playing games.

Sony’s Acoustic Surface+ audio system makes a return, maintaining the brand’s position as being one of the best TVs for sound thanks to actuators placed behind the screen to physically vibrate it – a feature that’s exclusive to Sony TVs. It means the Bravia 8 can go loud, is dynamically impressive and is capable of placing objects within a soundfield better than many other flat-screen TVs. When connected to one of Sony’s latest Bravia Theater soundbars – the Theater Bar 8 is a natural pairing – an Acoustic Center Sync feature can be used to turn the TV into a dedicated center channel speaker.

The Bravia 8 is a great option for gamers thanks to its support of all the major gaming features, including 4K support at 120Hz, an auto low-latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rate (VRR) and Sony’s ‘Perfect for PS5’ tech that automatically adjusts picture settings to their optimum – for both games and movies – when a PlayStation 5 console is detected in either of its two HDMI 2.1 inputs. Yep, the Bravia 8 still only supports 4K/120Hz across two of its four HDMI inputs and you’ll need to use the one marked ‘eARC’ if you plan to connect an external soundbar. Sony isn’t alone in offering support across only half of its TV’s inputs, but it’s a shame that it’s still happening in 2024.

The main caveat at the time of writing, however, is that in some territories the A80L is still readily available and for a more affordable price. While there’s no doubt the Bravia 8 makes improvements over its predecessor, some customers either won’t notice, or won’t care for the admittedly incremental upgrades. The Bravia 8 is indeed Sony’s best mid-range OLED, but it’s not quite the generational leap we’ve seen between some other TV series – see the improvements Samsung makes each year with its S95 QD-OLED series as an example.

Sony Bravia 8 review: Price and release date

• Announced in April 2024 for July 2024 launch
• Pricing starts at $2,799 / £2,699 / AU$3,495 (55-inch)
• No 83-inch model in 2024

The Sony Bravia 8 was announced in April 2024 and released in July 2024 in 55-, 65- and 77-inch sizes. The A80L predecessor was available in a larger 83-inch size, but that has seemingly been dropped this time around.

Pricing has remained relatively consistent compared to the A80L, with the 65-inch model I’ve reviewed setting you back $2,799 / £2,699 / AU$4,495. That’s $200 / £200 more expensive than the A80L in the US and UK and the same as the A80L’s launch price in Australia. Since launch, we’ve already seen small price drops in all markets, so it’s unlikely you would need to pay the full suggested retail price if you decide to buy.

The 55-inch Bravia 8 has been priced at $2,799 / £2,699 / AU$3,495 while the range-topping 77-inch retails for $3,899 / £3,499 / AU$6,995. The Sony Bravia 8’s pricing once again puts it squarely up against the LG C4 (the A80L and LG C3 were similarly priced in 2023) and in most cases, LG’s mid-range OLED comes out the more affordable, and it’s available in a greater variety of sizes.

LG’s telly offers full 4K/120Hz support across all four HDMI inputs, making it a better prospect for gamers and those with multiple external devices, but as was the case in 2023, LG’s TV has weaker built-in sound.

Sony Bravia 8 review: Specs Sony Bravia 8 review: Benchmark results Sony Bravia 8 review: Features

• New Bravia XR processor
• Voice Zoom 3 for improved vocal clarity
• New eco-friendly remote control

The Sony Bravia 8 uses a standard WOLED panel as found in its A80L predecessor, but the key metric Sony is keen to advertise with the Bravia 8 is that it's capable of going 10% brighter, thanks to the aforementioned XR Processor. There’s no Micro Lens Array (MLA) or QD-OLED tech to be found here, so it is strictly the power of the new chip and its ability to better understand how to manipulate lighting that is going to result in that brightness boost.

Indeed, Sony says its new XR chip can better detect objects in scenes with greater accuracy and will then automatically optimize the picture to get as close to the creator’s intentions as possible. Also new in the Bravia 8 is a dedicated Prime Video Calibrated Mode (also a feature of the flagship Bravia 9) which will automatically adjust picture settings when you’re watching a raft of content on Amazon’s streaming service. This is in addition to the Netflix Calibrated Mode and Sony Pictures Core Calibrated Mode, both of which work in similar ways and have been carried over from the outgoing A80L.

The latest iteration of Sony's Eco Dashboard gives clear insights into how much energy the TV is using. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Voice Zoom 3, also taken from the high-end Bravia 9, is integrated into the Bravia 8, which can be used to boost (or decrease) voices and dialogue in whatever content you’re watching.

Elsewhere, there is little to separate the Bravia 8 and A80L from a features perspective. Both support Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG HDR formats (no HDR10+) and the Bravia 8 once again gets Google TV as the operating system of choice. Sony’s second iteration of its Eco Dashboard makes an appearance too, allowing you to adjust various energy-saving features and view their effects in a neat bar graph-style chart.

Sony also ships the Bravia 8 with a new Eco Remote that has a slight speckled appearance. This remote is made from 80% recycled materials, is backlit and recharges via USB-C.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 review: Picture quality

• Wonderfully natural colors
• Slightly increased brightness for improved HDR performance
• Performs at its best in darker rooms

Sony’s claims of the Bravia 8 benefitting from a 10% brightness increase over the A80L certainly carry some weight, with its latest OLED TV recording a 149.5 nits measurement in HDR Filmmaker Mode on a full screen, compared to the A80L’s 139 nits based on our measurements.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

There are noticeable differences in the 10% window brightness measurements in both HDR and SDR Standard modes, too. HDR Standard returned a result of 816.7 nits on the Bravia 8 (compared to the A80L’s 741 nits), while SDR Standard saw the Bravia 8 improve upon the A80L’s 247 nits with a measurement of 287.9 nits. Interestingly, measurements taken for SDR content in Filmmaker mode (or rather, Sony's own version called Professional) returned vastly different results and not in the Bravia 8’s favor, with a measurement of 99.4 nits compared to the A80L’s 224, indicating this is a picture mode you’ll want to avoid when watching SDR content.

Outside of this, it should mean the Bravia 8 will take everything that we loved about the A80L but throws in a helping of improved contrast and, with the new XR Processor acting as the brains of the operation, finer control of light for improved HDR performance.

As for color performance, the Bravia 8 does well against some of its closest competitors, covering 99.1% of the UHDA-P3 color gamut and 75% BT.2020. The LG C4, by comparison, returned results of 98.7% and 72.7%, respectively.

For my real-world performance tests, I streamed the opening fight sequence between Ta Lo and Xu Wenwu in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on Disney Plus in its IMAX Enhanced version. It's a glorious test of color with various shades of green, yellow and red as the two go head-to-head with their own fighting styles. I was watching in a dark room and so selected the Dolby Vision Bright picture setting, which increases brightness without any sacrifice to detail and found the Bravia 8 reproduced this scene beautifully. Dolby Vision Dark was a little too dim for my preference in this case. 

Sony’s XR Triluminos Pro technology, which aims to reproduce natural and accurate colors, worked to full effect, with the greens and yellows of the forest setting looking incredibly realistic – it was easy to notice the different shades depending on where the light was hitting and the characters’ faces were clear and detailed.

The Sony Bravia 8 demonstrates excellent control of light and highlights (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Even the rings around Xu Wenwu’s arms gave off a satisfying blue shine as they were powering up for attack, highlighting the Bravia 8’s – and more specifically, the XR Contrast Booster’s – ability to precisely control the light. What makes this all the more impressive is the fact that there is no MLA technology or Quantum Dot layer, but instead a traditional WOLED panel.

After we meet present-day Shang Chi and he’s speaking with friends in a dimly lit bar, the Sony Bravia 8 flexes its muscles with regard to picking out detail where there’s little to no light. His dark T-shirt is clearly distinguishable from his even darker cardigan, while the stripes on his female friend’s blazer can also be seen. There’s no discernible light blooming around the bright table lamps, both the one at the front and center of the screen, and the numerous others dotted about in the background.

The Sony Bravia 8 offers the option to switch to a dedicated 'calibrated' mode when watching content on Prime Video (as above), Netflix or Sony Pictures Core (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

An Ultra HD stream of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare on Prime Video provided a good opportunity to test out the new Prime Video Calibrated Mode. Switching this mode on and off is as simple as toggling a switch in the picture settings, but in the instance for this particular movie, I noticed absolutely no difference between the Calibrated picture settings and Sony’s own Professional picture mode (the brand’s version of Filmmaker mode). This could potentially be because the Bravia 8 doesn’t support HDR10+, which Prime Video uses, but regardless, in either mode, I was presented with a beautiful, natural image with great depth. I compared the same opening scene on the LG G4 and, while the better-specced TV did have more refined light control, it wasn’t quite the stark difference I was initially expecting – which is kudos to Sony.

I switched the overhead lights on and loaded up Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes on Disney Plus – while there was a fair amount of reflection noticeable in the opening, very dark scene, it wasn’t enough to distract me from my viewing. And that viewing was glorious, with the Bravia 8 managing to pick out the individual strands of fur on the apes, while also handling Caesar's burning funeral pyre without any noticeable signs of blooming.

• Picture quality score: 4.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 review: Sound quality

• Accurate placement of object sounds
• Dynamically impressive
• Still lacking in the bass department

Sony has once again employed its Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology here, which sees actuators placed behind the screen to physically vibrate it, turning the entire surface into a speaker. Not a lot has changed in this iteration compared to the A80L, although Sony says its added a new tweeter to help boost higher frequencies and, in particular, dialogue.

It’s a really remarkable system – and the first time I’ve personally heard it in action – as when using the same opening fight sequence from Shang Chi, gusts of wind, flailing arms and attacks using the 10 rings were accurately placed within the soundfield; when an attack was landed towards the bottom left of the screen for example, that’s exactly where it could be heard, as opposed to a full sound coming from all speakers. 

When I began the stream, I received a pop-up asking if I wanted to activate the IMAX Enhanced DTS:X soundtrack (the Sony Bravia 8 is an IMAX Enhanced-certified TV) and there was a genuine effect of height to the audio. These effects were only amplified the louder I turned up the volume and they remained distortion-free.

The Voice Zoom 3 feature works incredibly well, too, for any spoken content that you may have a little trouble hearing. Not only does increasing the level help dialogue become easier to hear, it does so without sounding separate from the rest of the soundtrack or other audio, instead sounding entirely natural. The same feature can be used when connected to an external soundbar or speaker system.

The only slight downside is that bass performance still isn’t a strong point of Sony’s audio system. While this will undoubtedly be a blessing to your neighbors, it does mean that despite the Bravia 8 being more impressive than its peers in the sound department, you will want to invest in one of the best soundbars to experience more engaging home cinema thrills. Taking the car chase scene from The Batman as a prime example, there isn’t a deep rumble from the Batmobile’s engine that you would get from an external subwoofer, but is certainly more engaging than most other TV sound systems.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 review: Design

• Height adjustable feet in two positions
• Slimmer rear makes it easier to wall mount
• Invisible speakers

As well as the Bravia 8 delivering a 10% increase in brightness, I’m going to also say it’s 10% better looking. For starters, Sony has slimmed the TV down to a depth of just 37mm, making it easier to wall mount in the process. This is due to Sony removing the protruding rear housing for all the connections, subwoofers and processing electronics on the A80L. Instead, the rear is a uniform panel – something Sony calls “One Slate” design – and the grid of etched squares has now been increased in size to cover the entire rear.

You’ll still find a similar set of connections on the right-hand side when viewed from the back, including four HDMI ports (only two of which are HDMI 2.1, and one of these supporting eARC), optical digital audio out, an ethernet port, RF antenna port, two USB type-A and an input S-Center speaker input, which you can use to turn the TV into a center speaker as part of a wider external sound system. If you connect one of Sony’s new Bravia Theater soundbars, you can bypass the need for this connection and still use the TV as a center-channel speaker via Acoustic Center Sync.

Image 1 of 4

The Bravia 8's feet can be adjusted to two different heights in both a narrow or wide position. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Image 2 of 4

The Sony Bravia 8 TV remote is backlit and made from up to 80% recycled materials. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Image 3 of 4

It employs a unique speckled effect. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Also new for the Bravia 8 – and the entire 2024 Bravia lineup – is the ability to position the included feet in any of four ways, up from the previous three. You can position them in either a narrow or wide configuration – meaning those with smaller TV stands can place the Bravia 8 on top with little issue – and this time you can raise the screen a few inches in both narrow and wide configurations, to better accommodate a soundbar beneath.

A single remote control comes in the box this time around, which is effectively the same as the one that shipped with the A80L. It’s relatively long and thin, with a central mic button for voice recognition – I figure this positioning is Sony’s attempt to encourage users to interact with the Bravia 8 more with their voice – and direct buttons for six streaming services at the bottom.

What is perhaps more interesting about this remote control, however, is the fact it’s made from approximately 80% recycled plastic, and the way in which Sony produces the speckled design means that each one is ever so slightly different. It’s backlit and rechargeable via USB-C.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 review: Smart TV and menus

• Google TV smart system
• Google Assistant baked in and 'Works With' Alexa/Apple HomeKit support
• Eco Dashboard 2 for power saving tips

The Bravia 8 continues Sony’s appreciation for the Google TV platform, which is a smart thing to do. As expected, the full suite of major video and music streaming apps is available, along with (quite literally) tens of thousands of others. The home screen, which Google TV calls 'For You', shows you content you’re currently in the middle of watching across any installed apps, followed by recommended content based on your viewing habits and Google Search history across other devices when you’re logged into the same account. Google Assistant is available for voice commands and to help you find whatever you want faster.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

I did appreciate Sony’s implementation of a quick settings menu system, whereby you just press a button on the remote control with the wrench icon to bring up a row of common settings along the bottom of the screen, each with its own set of choices to cycle through. The order of these can be personalized, so if you know you’re going to want to adjust picture and sound settings the most, for example, you can place these at the start of the row.

Sony has installed the second-generation of its Eco Dashboard in the Bravia 8, which presents the TV’s power consumption history in the form of animated graphs. You can also adjust power-saving settings from this screen, with the dashboard indicating how much power in kilowatt-hours (kWh) you’ll save.

Naturally, Chromecast is supported for streaming to the TV from compatible devices, as is AirPlay 2. And, despite using Google TV, Sony clearly doesn’t want to discriminate, as it’s added ‘works with’ support for Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit.

This was the first time in a long time I’d personally used Google TV. I’d read and heard good things, so I was keen to experience it for myself. However, in comparison to LG’s webOS TV system, which I’m very familiar with, I found Google TV here to be quite slow and clunky. Button presses on the remote control weren’t received with the immediacy I’d expect for a TV of this caliber.

• Smart TV and menus score: 3.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 review: Gaming

• 4K @ 120Hz and VRR support
• Dolby Vision Gaming for compatible sources
• Improved 12.8ms input lag

The Bravia 8 presents itself as a great option for gamers thanks to its excellent color reproduction and improved HDR brightness, and is a natural partner for the PlayStation 5 thanks to Sony’s ‘Perfect for PS5’ feature that automatically adjusts the image to deliver optimum results. 

Even if you don’t have a PS5, you can still benefit from VRR and ALLM, while Xbox gamers can take advantage of Dolby Vision Gaming. During my testing, I measured an input lag of 12.8ms, which is a significant improvement over the 16.5ms lag on the A80L, putting the Bravia 8 on par with the likes of the LG G4, although the LG C4 – Sony's closest competitor for this telly – undercuts it further with a figure of 9.2ms.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Loading up Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and it’s clear the Sony Bravia 8’s excellent lighting control when watching video content is carried over to gaming. Spidey’s suit and buildings exhibit clear shine where they’re being hit by sunlight, while the stunning vistas in Grand Theft Auto 5 exhibited fantastic depth, with plenty of detail to buildings and bushland when viewed up close.

Sony’s Game menu pops up at the press of the Menu button on the TV remote control, bringing up quick-select options for game type, toggling VRR on or off and a new, previously promised feature to adjust the screen size. You're also able to toggle on an on-screen crosshair, which could help players of FPS games get an upper hand.

The picture does improve when switching to the LG G4, but this is to be expected with its greater control of light and increased peak brightness. But, for a mid-range OLED, the Sony Bravia 8 will be great for gamers.

The only thing that does continue to hold it back is that only two of its four HDMI ports support the 2.1 standard for 4K/120Hz. If you only have one games console, this won’t be an issue but, if you have multiple, then you'll be better served by a model from LG or Samsung. There's also no support once again for Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync.

• Gaming score: 4/5

Sony Bravia 8 review: Value

• Small premium over A80L but with improved performance
• Already receiving discounts
• LG C4 can be found for similar money

The Sony Bravia 8 presents itself as good value for money. Its launch price is a little higher than its predecessor in some territories, but you are getting a number of upgrades, such as the new processor and Dolby Vision Gaming mode, to justify it. However, since launch, we've seen its price come down and, at the time of writing, there are savings of up to $900 / £200 / AU$1,100 direct from Sony, with third-party retailers likely price-matching or beating those prices.

While some may have wished for a greater leap in terms of brightness, it’s not a total shock that Sony has continued to omit brightness-boosting technology, such as MLA or Quantum Dot, as these technologies are reserved for the flagship screens – the LG C4 gets the same treatment for example.

But considering what the Sony Bravia 8 can do, such as displaying movies with great detail and light control, and offering up a number of picture modes that work well as opposed to the one or two you sometimes find on competitor screens, it’s a fantastic, affordable option for those with dark rooms.

• Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the Sony Bravia 8? Buy it if...

You want a glorious TV for movies without breaking the bank

The Bravia 8’s beautifully natural image processing and 4K clarity makes it perfect for watching movies, especially in HDR, all for a relatively affordable price.

You want a TV to sound good without an external system

Sony’s Acoustic Surface audio system continues to prove why it’s the best at built-in sound. It’s fired directly into the room and is especially capable at placing objects in your space.

Don't buy it if...

You watch content during the day

The Bravia 8 does an admirable job at countering brightly lit rooms, but it can’t compete against TVs that have much higher peak brightness credentials.

You want a super slick TV OS

Google TV offers plenty in the way of apps and connectivity, but it’s slow and clunky in comparison to others on the market.

Also consider...

LG C4
LG has made great improvements to its mid-range OLED TV, including boosting its brightness to above-average levels. It continues to support 4K/120Hz across all four HDMI ports, making it a great choice for gamers.
Read our full LG C4 review

TCL C855
If you're not loyal to OLED but you still want the best bang for your buck, the mini-LED TCL C855 is one of the best choices you could make. It delivers a stunning picture and has a strong set of features, all for an incredibly affordable price.
Read our full TCL C855 review

Hisense U8N
Another great choice for gamers with Dolby Vision gaming and 4K/144Hz support, the Hisense U8N is another wallet-friendly wonder. It can go incredibly bright, yet controls it well with powerful local dimming.
Read our full Hisense U8N review

How I tested the Sony Bravia 8

While this was my first time using a Sony TV for an extended period of time, I have previously tried and tested a few LG TVs. So the first I did was dive into menus to familiarize myself with the setup, then played a variety of content from streaming apps and via 4K Blu-rays playing on a PlayStation 5 over the course of five weeks.

I streamed content in both SDR and HDR and assessed the available picture mode options for each from services including Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video. I found Professional to offer the best results for non-Dolby Vision content, and the Dolby Vision Bright setting for content produced in that HDR format. I also toggled between the calibrated picture modes for Netflix, Prime Video and Sony Pictures Core, and found the settings for Prime Video to be the weakest of the three, in the sense that there was no obvious difference to the overall picture.

You can read in-depth how we test TVs at TechRadar for much more information.

• First reviewed: September 2024
• Read TechRadar's review guarantee

Canon EOS R5 Mark II: Two-minute review

When I originally wrote my Canon EOS R5 review, I called it the brand’s “best ever stills camera”. Four years later and I'm going to have to repeat myself – this time, however, I have to take it a step further and say that the EOS R5 Mark II is also Canon's most versatile camera yet.

There are quite a few significant differences between the two R5 generations that makes the Mark II feel more like an entirely new series rather than an upgrade. In fact, it has more in common with the Canon EOS R1 than the EOS R5, with the two new flagships sharing the headline features. So, essentially, what the Nikon Z8 is to the Nikon Z9, the R5 II is to the R1 – a smaller, albeit higher-resolution, version.

While the sensor resolution remains at 45MP, the R5 II now uses a stacked design that enables speedier readouts to minimize rolling shutter distortions, just like on the Nikon Z8. This, however, has resulted in a slight loss of dynamic range compared to the R5, but not so much that it will bother most photographers in real-world use.

The R5 II gains a second imaging processor – working in conjunction with the Digic X chip, the Digic Accelerator enables burst speeds of up to 30fps when shooting RAW, with an additional 15 frames available with pre-recording enabled. The Nikon Z8 tops out at 20fps in RAW.

Speed aside, the autofocus accuracy here is also better than what I experienced with the original R5 and, during my testing, the Mark II was more than ready to take on a challenge straight out of the box. In fact, I think the AF performance here is better than the Nikon Z8, which is my daily shooter. Not only has Canon improved its AF algorithm, it’s also added a couple of new features that make it really hard to miss a shot – you can select specific people to prioritize as your main subject in People Priority mode, while the new Action Priority feature uses deep-learning algorithms to tell the camera when a specific action is about to take place and automatically shift the focus point accordingly. The latter, however, is still a work in progress with only three team sports supported at launch.

Canon has been using Eye Control AF in its pro sports cameras – namely the EOS 1D X Mark III DSLR and the EOS R3 – but it’s now available on the R5 II. While it’s been improved in some ways, it’s still hard to calibrate it for all users.

Also new are a couple of AI-driven features that allow you to edit shots in-camera. The Image Upscaling feature can enhance resolution by 4x, after which you crop it in-camera to zoom in closer to a distant subject. It’s a handy feature to have, but only works for images shot as JPEG/HEIF and can be impractical for some photographers in the field. Photographers who find the need to push the limits of a camera’s ISO performance will be glad to know there’s a Neural Network Noise Reduction feature built in that can be employed, but you will need to shoot in RAW for this feature to work and the processed file is then saved as a JPEG.

Video specs have also been improved, with the R5 II capable of shooting 8K/60p clips (versus 30fps on the R5) for up to 120 minutes with a new Cooling Fan Grip. Importantly, Canon’s C-Log2 – the video encoding option previously only available in the brand’s cinema cameras – is now supported on the R5 II, offering better dynamic range and easier color grading compared to C-Log3.

Where it falls short compared to its predecessor is battery life. Despite a new high-powered LP-E6P pack, it’s only rated for 630 shots compared to the 950 that the LP-E6NH was rated for in the R5. To be fair, though, it is powering the new features and the higher speed.

Of course, new features come at a cost, but if they all do what they say on the tin, then it could be argued that the R5 II would be a worthy investment despite a higher price. What makes it even more so is that this camera truly does make pro photography easy and, given it can handle any scenario, it's a remarkably versatile shooter as well. Thankfully, though, Canon has priced its flagship well, with only a 10% increase over the launch price of the EOS R5.

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman) Canon EOS R5 Mark II review: Release date and price

• Body-only price is $4,299 / £4,499 / AU$6,499
• Available since August 2024
• Three optional grips: Standard BG-R20, battery BG-R20EP and cooling fan CF-R20EP

With a body-only suggested retail cost of $4,299 / £4,499 / AU$6,499, the EOS R5 II is quite competitively priced. It’s slightly more than the R5’s body-only launch price in some markets (which was $3,899 / £4,199 / AU$6,899 in July 2020), and that’s to be expected given the slew of updates it’s got over its predecessor.

Aussie photographers, though, should be overjoyed if they’ve been holding out for a worthy upgrade from an older camera, especially since it’s cheaper than the Nikon Z8’s launch price too ($3,999 / £3,999 / AU$6,999). That said, it’s now possible to find the Z8 at discounts of about $700 / £450 / AU$1,000 – making it a compelling alternative to its Canon competition.

The R5 II was slated for an August 2024 release and is now available to purchase from authorized retailers in the US and Australia, but is still listed as a pre-order in the UK at the time of publication.

It’s possible to also pick up a single-lens kit for $5,399 / £5,749 / $AU$7,999, which bundles the RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS lens with the R5 II.

For the first time for any camera maker, Canon has also released three optional grips that can be purchased separately, which includes a Cooling Fan Grip ($399 / £549 / AU$829) that improves video recording times but lacks the vertical control layout. For that, you’ll need to opt for the Battery Grip that will set you back $349 / £489.99 / AU$699.

• Price score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman) Canon EOS R5 Mark II review: Design and handling

• Small changes to top plate control layout
• Improved blackout-free 5.76m-dot OLED EVF with Eye Control AF
• Under-camera cooling vents keep the body slim

At first glance it’s easy to think the EOS R5 Mark II body is identical to its predecessor, but there’s one change Canon has made that makes me rather happy – the power controls that were on the left of the top plate on the R5 are now a ring around the Mode button on the top right of the Mark II. This means it’s a lot easier to switch the camera on and off in one hand. The old power wheel is now the toggle to switch between stills and video capture.

Canon EOS R5 II key specs

Sensor: 45MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS sensor
AF system: Hybrid with phase-detect Dual Pixel AF
EVF: 5.76m-dot OLED
ISO range: 100 to 51,200 (ISO 50-102,400 extended range)
Video: 8K/60fps raw, 4K/120fps, 1080p/240fps
LCD: 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 2.1m-dots
Max burst: 30fps (electronic shutter, continuous autofocus)
Connectivity: USB-C 3.2, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Weight: 656g (body-only), 746g including battery and card

The one other minor change on the top plate is the new hot shoe cover. The R5 test unit that was sent to me for review in 2020 didn’t have such a cover, so this is new to me and I love the clean design – it makes the top of the R5 II look… well, ‘unblemished’ is the only word I can think of to describe it. As much as I like it, the cover is nigh impossible to release. I spent a lot of time trying to get it open and failed, meaning I wasn’t able to get a peek at the hot shoe during my few weeks with the camera.

The rest of the control layout remains exactly the same as on the R5, which is a wise move as Canon’s designs have always been intuitive. It is, however, oh-so-slightly heavier than the older camera, tipping the scales at 26.3oz / 746g. That’s lighter than the Nikon Z8 (32oz / 910g) and more in line with the Sony A7R V. It feels comfortable in the hand during long periods of use, even with the beefy RF 24-70mm f/2.8L standard zoom and RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM telephoto lenses that I used for this review.

Another small but significant refinement is the 5.7 million dot OLED viewfinder – Canon says it’s twice as bright and blackout free. While I can’t vouch for the ‘twice’ part, it’s definitely a significant difference compared to the R5 and I prefer it over the 3.69m-dot EVF on the Nikon Z8. The new EVF also inherits Canon’s Eye Control AF that debuted on the EOS 1D X Mark III. This feature tracks your eye movements as you scan the scene through the viewfinder and shifts the focus point accordingly.

As with all Canon cameras, build quality is excellent. The R5 II features a magnesium-alloy chassis with a fully weather-sealed exterior, and the controls are robust. That said, I found the rear wheel movement on the R5 II a little clunky compared to what it feels like on the R1, where movement is nicely dampened and rotation is smooth.

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Everything else from a design standpoint is standard fare for a pro camera – an illuminated top LCD display, a textured AF joystick on the rear and dual card slots. One of these supports a CFexpress Type B device while the other supports a SD card with UHS-II speed, but you’ll need to invest in the former if you want to take full advantage of the R5 II’s speed.

Filmmakers will appreciate the fact that the EOS R5 II has a full-size HMDI port (the EOS R5 doesn't) and a tally lamp to indicate when you're recording. Moreover, key shooting information can be displayed on-screen.

There are also cooling vents on the camera's underside and they do an admirable job of keeping temperatures down when shooting high-resolution clips. In fact, temperature regulation is a lot better here than when I first tested the R5 (which was prior to the firmware updates that improved recording times). That said, I found that the R5 II can begin to get warm even when shooting constant bursts with Servo AF engaged, something sports photographers will likely need to do, but the temperature warning that appears on the display (or the EVF) never went beyond the first bar during my testing.

Naturally, there are both mic and headphone ports, plus USB-C for charging. The battery is an improved LP-E6P unit, which delivers up to 640 shots on a full charge, although that number will be a lot higher if you're capturing lots of high-speed bursts. Case in point, I ended up shooting over 8,000 frames during one testing session before the battery life dropped by three-quarters, but I couldn’t do much more as my 128GB CFexpress card was full.

• Design score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman) Canon EOS R5 Mark II review: Features and performance

• New People and Action Priority modes
• In-camera editing features
• 15 frames of pre-recording

I’ve already listed the R5 II’s feature set at the start of this review, including the new stacked design for the sensor and the second processing unit that aids in maintaining the camera’s speed. Between the two, the R5 II is capable of rattling off at 30fps using the electronic shutter with autofocus engaged, and at a decent 1/160 second. While this helps with keeping rolling shutter distortions down to a minimum, a stacked sensor can reduce dynamic range, which is the case here, but it’s so insignificant that it would hardly be an issue in real-world use.

Buffer memory is better compared to the older R5, with the Mark II capable of saving up to 93 frames (or 3.1 seconds of capture) when shooting RAW to a memory card at 30fps (compared to 83 for the R5) or 230 RAW frames (or 8 seconds) when at 12fps (versus 180 with the R5). Buffer memory is over 1,000 frames when shooting JPG/HEIF, although I found that shooting constant bursts at 30fps in any format can bring up the temperature warning and slow the camera down a smidge.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

Despite that, the speed the R5 II offers is great for sports and wildlife photographers alike, and the additional 15 frames of pre-capture means it can be quite hard to miss a shot – that’s an extra half second of captures. Paired with what I think is arguably the best and easiest-to-use autofocus system in the camera world, the R5 II makes pro photography incredibly simple.

And I do mean ‘simple’. Straight out of the box, the camera is ready to shoot, but engage either the new People Priority or Action Priority modes and sports photography becomes incredibly easy – all you need to do as a photographer is get your framing right and the camera will do the rest.

People Priority takes face detection to the next level and is ideal for team sports or wedding photography. Within the camera’s menu system is the option to ‘register’ a face… or 10. You'll need to take a head shot – and it doesn’t even have to be perfect – or capture an image of the person(s) from the internet to Register People Priority. Depending on the order you capture the faces, the camera prioritizes them from 1 (most important) to 10 (least important) and will focus on the people within the frame with the highest priority.

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The People Priority feature is intelligent enough to know when to shift subject tracking... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

..and when to stick with it. (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

I didn’t get to try it with the maximum of 10 people during my testing, but it worked with pinpoint accuracy with three people in the frame. I also found that if a person with the highest priority within a scene only has a tiny fraction of their face turned to the camera (aka in partial profile), the R5 II will automatically shift the focus to the next highest priority face if it’s more visible. On the other hand, if a non-registered person appears in the frame, the camera can stick with the main subject even if only the back of the head is visible. That is intelligent autofocus indeed!

Action Priority is perfect for team sports that have a spherical ball in constant play but, at launch, Canon only has this feature set up for three sports – basketball, football (soccer) and volleyball. Using deep-learning algorithms, Canon has figured out how to ‘teach’ the camera to recognize body movements so the focus can shift to a player who either has the ball in possession or is about to get it. That means the R5 II can, in theory, predict where the ball is going next and focus on the right ‘moment’ rather than on a specific player.

I say ‘in theory’ because I didn’t get the opportunity to test this mode out on the three preset sports, but my colleague based in the UK got a chance to test Action Priority using a pre-production camera unit at a basketball game and it seemed to work then. That said, three sports is very limited and it would be great if Canon can start adding more (not just those with spherical balls) as quickly as possible. In fact, it’s the same case with the EOS R1 too, and it's as yet unclear whether the balls need to be a specific size to trigger the camera's response (aka, will it handle sports like tennis or cricket – that use smaller balls – just as well?).

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There’s no easy way to switch between the two modes without delving back into the menu system, but nearly all the buttons on the camera can be customized. For example, I swapped the AE Lock button to trigger Action Priority and set the AF-On control on the rear panel for People Priority mode. I also set the M-Fn function to trigger Eye Control AF.

Speaking of which, this is the only autofocus feature on the R5 II that I had trouble with. While my colleague was suitably impressed, I just couldn’t get the calibration right – I even reset the camera to try again and failed. And this is despite Canon claiming they’ve made improvements to the Eye Control AF that makes it easier for people who wear glasses (like me) to use it. Seems like this isn’t an isolated problem as others have reported a similar issue.

Even without Eye Control AF, the R5 II’s autofocus and tracking is excellent and Canon has improved low-light AF sensitivity to -7.5EV (compared to -6EV in the older model, although the Nikon Z8 is effective at -9EV). The native ISO range remains steady at 100 to 51,200, or 50 to 102,400 expanded. While noise is very well controlled up to ISO 6400, even images shot at ISO 12,800 are usable if you don't need to crop in to zoom. And if noise at this high ISO is an issue for you, Canon’s new Neural Network Noise Reduction feature can help – it can denoise selected images in-camera by up to 2 stops as long as they're RAW files.

Within the Playback menu settings is the option to Process RAW Files, where the noise reduction editing feature is nestled. There are three options to choose from – Low, Standard and High – and they can be utilized in a pinch to cut down on some grain. The processed file is then saved as either a JPEG or HEIF.

I'm uncertain why Canon choose to enable this processing for RAW files only, and I'm hoping a future firmware update will allow for JPEGs/HEIFs to also be edited in-camera in the same way.

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In-camera processed file to show noise reduction with NR Standard applied (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

In a similar vein, if you want a higher resolution version of a particular image, you can upscale it in-camera to add up to 4x the pixel count using AI to extrapolate the image’s EXIF data, creating stills of up to 180MP from the original 45MP shot. While this is an excellent option for landscape photographers, it turned out to be rather impractical when shooting bursts. Pro sports and wildlife photographers will end up with so many shots that it could be hard to find the specific one you want to select to be upscaled.

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And the upscaled 180MP version at the same size which should appear sharper (Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

Thankfully Canon has thought of that and you can select a range of images to upscale, but that will eat into your memory card’s free storage. Moreover, I found that Lightroom (my go-to image editing software) struggled with the larger files, crashing four times before I was able to view them – and this is on a MacBook Pro equipped with Apple’s decently powerful M3 Pro processor.

The main caveat for this feature is that it only works for JPEG/HEIF files and not RAW. Perhaps this will change down the line via future firmware updates, but it's still handy to have.

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Future)

In terms of video, the R5 II is a powerhouse, with better heat management than its predecessor. Without the Cooling Fan Grip, Canon says the R5 II can shoot up to 18 minutes in 8K/60p RAW internally when ambient temperature is about 23ºC / 73ºF, although during my testing I managed about 4 minutes before I got the temperature warning, then another 2.5 minutes before the temperature gauge went into the red. Another minute later, the camera stopped recording with the warning that no more footage could be captured until the camera cooled down. That’s just 7.5 minutes but, to be fair, the ambient temperature was 26ºC (78.8ºF) and I was standing in direct sunlight.

Recording times increase as the resolution is lowered, with the possibility of up to 45 minutes when shooting 45K/60p without the fan. If you invest in the Cooling Fan Grip, there is theoretically no recording time limits with the fan set to high.

While not all the exciting features on the R5 II work as well as Canon would like us to think (I’m referring to Eye Control AF here), and there are dedicated hybrid cameras that handle pro filmmaking better, it’s really hard to fault the R5 II when everything else makes taking great shots really easy.

• Features & performance score: 5 / 5

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(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman) Canon EOS R5 Mark II review: Image and video quality

• Gorgeous colors but slightly lower dynamic range
• Great details and sharpness, even in shadows
• Top notch video results

Not everyone needs a high-resolution camera but many prefer it. With 45MP on tap, there's more than enough sensor resolution here to suit most photographers, and having fewer pixels compared to the 61MP Sony A7R V and the 45.7MP Nikon Z8 means the Canon can handle speed better than some of its competition.

Even on a pre-production model of the R5 II, I was able to get excellent results, with colors that I personally find pleasing, plus focus and subject tracking practically pinpoint perfect. And that performance was just as impressive when I tested the final production model.

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It’s been really hard to find fault with the results of the R5 II, despite the limitations of its stacked sensor design. As I’ve mentioned previously, this gives the camera its speed but comes at the cost of a little bit of dynamic range. I didn’t have the older R5 with me to do a direct comparison but, in my real-world testing, I found this compromise to be so small, even when shooting with the electronic shutter, that it’s hardly worth commenting on. Unless you plan on significantly cropping an image, the resulting noise in darker areas will not be a problem because of the lower dynamic range.

Otherwise, images shot using the R5 II are sharp, with very reliable autofocus and subject tracking performance – meaning all a photographer needs to think about is composition.

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I also pushed the R5 II’s ISO sensitivity to see how well it holds up at the higher end of the spectrum and was suitably impressed. While there is some noise at ISO 6400, it’s hard to discern unless you crop significantly. Even at ISO 8000 or 12,800, the noise is decently controlled and, if in a pinch you think there’s too much visible graining, the option to use the Neural Network Noise Reduction feature is there… as long as you’re shooting RAW. And there are always photo editors like Topaz Photo AI that will help reduce the grain.

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While video quality is also very good, I doubt pro creators will opt for the R5 II – there are other hybrid cameras, like the Panasonic Lumix S5 II or the Sony A7S III that would be better suited for professional videography. Still, if it’s 8K video that you’re after, I think it’s as good as the Nikon Z8 / Z9, if not better. And with better recording times out of the box than its predecessor, the R5 II can be a worthy investment for hybrid work.

It uses the full sensor to shoot 8K/60p and 12-bit RAW footage internally, but there are a few different resolutions and frame rates to shoot from if 8K is overkill for your needs. You can shoot in either DCI (17:9) or UHD (16:9), with a bunch of codecs to choose from. Perhaps the best news for videographers is the addition of Canon’s C-Log 2 custom picture profile. This has, so far, only been available on Canon’s EOS cinema cameras, but it offers better dynamic range and more natural colors compared to C-Log 3, which makes it easier for video creators to color grade and produce more appealing visuals.

There is now no 4GB video recording limit and, during my testing, I had no issues with heat buildup with video clips of 50 seconds to 1-minute in duration when shooting in 4K. the temperature gauge, however, will appear on the display (or EVF), which I found handy, as it's a visual indication of how warm (or hot) the camera is getting with use.

Image stabilization for video and stills is also quite impressive. While I’m not a good videographer at the best of times, I struggled to hold the R5 II steady with the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM telephoto lenses at 500mm for durations of over 10 seconds, but found it a little easier to handle at 300mm.

• Image & video quality score: 5 / 5

Should I buy the Canon EOS R5 Mark II? Buy it if...

You’ve been holding out for a great full-frame high-res camera

Whether you want to upgrade from your Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR or any of the older EOS R-series cameras – or even just keen to change systems – it’s really easy to recommend the R5 II.

You want an easy-to-use pro camera

Its fast and accurate performance aside, the R5 II has very intuitive physical controls and the menu system is simplified, making this pro camera really easy to wrap your head around.

You want a versatile camera for any kind photography

While its in-camera editing features have some caveats, the R5 II will be as comfortable shooting landscapes and nature as it would be in a sports arena or a war zone. It has the chops – and then some – to handle it all, plus even some decent video skills.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a pro video content creator

It might have good video prowess but, if filmmaking is your priority, you might be better off with a camera that was designed specifically for video.

You don’t want to drain your savings

While the R5 II is well priced compared to its predecessor and the competition, I wouldn’t call it ‘affordable’ or ‘cheap’. If money is a constraint, you could consider dropping a sensor size and yet retain high resolution if that was important to you.

You exclusively shoot landscapes or architecture, or do mostly studio work

If you aren’t going to put the R5 II’s speed and accuracy to good use, it might be overkill for your needs. Moreover, some photographers who do more studio work – like portraits or product shots – might be better served with a medium format sensor, and it’s now possible to get one for about the same price or lower.

Also consider

Nikon Z8

In direct competition with the R5 II, the Nikon Z8 is arguably the easiest alternative to recommend. While the physical setup is different to Canon's, and it might lack the new autofocus and in-camera editing features, the Z8 is a superb shooter that offers just as much speed (even more, in fact, if you're willing to forgo some resolution). It even allows you to shoot with a crop (DX) if you want more reach.
Read our full Nikon Z8 review

Sony A7R V

If resolution is important to you, then the 61MP sensor in the A7R V might be just what you're after. While you won't be able to get the speed, you will gain Sony's rather good autofocus system with its own nifty AI features, like knowing exactly what to focus on and where. It doesn't have the video chops as the R5 II or the Z8 listed above, but landscape photographers might prefer this high-res shooter.
Read our in-depth Sony A7R V review

Fujifilm GFX100 II

Again, if resolution is more important and money isn't an issue, the GFX100 II is arguably the most powerful medium format camera on the market. It can handle both stills (102MP shots at up to 8fps) and video (8K/30p) well, although the lens options will be limited if AF speed is important.
Read our full Fujifilm GFX100 II review

How I tested the Canon EOS R5 Mark II

• Tested over a period of three weeks; paired with RF 24-70mm f/2.8L and RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lenses
• Used to shoot mostly wildlife with high-speed bursts and Servo AF engaged
• Captured several video clips to test frame rates and resolutions

Having already tested the original R5, and as a current Nikon Z8 user, I am in a unique position to judge the R5 II as it gives me a couple of different points of comparison.

I had the Canon EOS R5 Mark II for about three weeks for this review and did my best to try it out in different scenarios. While there weren't any local sports to capture during my testing period, I pushed the camera's speed limits by capturing birds at a waterbird refuge. I also took the camera on a whale-watching cruise (sadly the humpbacks weren't very active on that day).

This was done with the camera set to capture at 30fps using the electronic shutter and Servo AF engaged. I used some of these images to test the upscaling feature.

The waterbird refuge is also where I did most of the video testing, using the birds as my subjects.

I also captured some urban landscapes as single shots. My testing of the stills including some indoor captures to test the ISO performance, and I used this to see how well the camera's built-in noise reduction feature works.

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[First reviewed September 2024]

Immigration was always going to be part of Tuesday night’s presidential debate. More surprising was that the conversation veered into bizarre falsehoods about migrants eating pet dogs and cats.

(Image credit: Alex Brandon)