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These brief preliminary observations are based on photos and reports of the camera which I have not yet had in hand. So I am unable to report on the holding experience although the handle and thumb support appear to be standard Canon style which is usually very good.
The R8-2 is interesting ergonomically as it represents some thoughtful design decisions. It has enough but not more than enough, well placed buttons and dials for the enthusiast user to get full control over all primary and secondary exposure and focussing parameters during operation, while looking continuously through the viewfinder and without having to shift grip with either hand.
Some current model cameras have more buttons and dials than are required. This is not a good idea as the redundant user interface modules clutter up the space available and make shifting from one set of capture parameters to a different set, more complex than it needs to be.
For instance the Nikon Z50-2 has 4 buttons plus the shutter button on the top and 10 buttons plus a 4-way rocker on the back, but no thumb stick. So it does have redundant controls but lacks a key one which would considerably enhance the user experience.
The Sony A1 has stacked dials on the left side of the EVF hump. The problem is that any control module over there cannot be operated by the right hand and stacking dials just increases the risk of unwanted activation. To the right of the hump the A1 has two control dials side by side and a stacked lever under the Mode Dial. Not only does this profusion of control modules clutter the space, but if we want to change many exposure and focus parameters with one action, this is not possible with so many fixed function control modules, each of which has to be operated separately.
Some models from Fujifilm have both retro style analogue controls for exposure parameters but also in the same camera, digital style controls with unmarked dials for the same parameters. This creates opportunities for confusion to the detriment of the user experience.
The EOS R8-2 appears to have gotten the balance just right. It has enough controls to get the job done efficiently without clutter, duplication or confusion.
On my R7 which is a close match in size to the R8-2 and also the smaller R10, I have disabled the Depth of field preview button on the front and never use the AF/MF lever. I have disabled the ISO and Lock buttons and the AF-On button and set the 4-way controller to moving AF area, which can be useful when the camera is on tripod. This has reduced to just the essentials the control points required for full control of primary and secondary exposure and focus parameters while operating the camera looking through the viewfinder. In essence the R7 and the R10 have more user interface modules than required for efficient operation.
On the other hand some cameras have insufficient control modules. For instance the Canon EOS R50 has only one control dial. It is possible to use this for two functions such as aperture and exposure compensation but the process requires pressing a separate button to switch function of the dial, then pressing it again and keeping track of symbols on the viewfinder sisplay to make sure the camera is doing what we want it to do. More actions, each more complex and more opportunities for error.
Turning to some specific observations:
* On the top plate of the R8-2 we have no controls to the left of the hump, thank you, Canon. On the right we have the shutter button, M-fn button, front control dial, red movie button, mode dial, rear control dial and Off/On switch. There are no buttons, dials, levers or displays up there which would be surplus to operating requirements.
* The memory card slot has moved from the battery compartment up to the right side of the handle, providing a welcome improvement to accessibility.
On the rear control panel we have a thumb stick which is well positioned and is the grippy type for best haptics. Some people have expressed concern about the location of the thumb stick not far from the viewfinder. I had doubts about this with the R5 several years ago but as soon as I started using the camera I realised the thumb stick is actually in the best location there. Several cameras from other makers have the thumb stick lower down which I find less desirable as the thumb has to move across and down to operate it. With the Canon the thumb only has to move across to the left. It is the accumulation of small things like this which makes the difference between a camera which is enjoyable to use and one which is OK but not quite as nice.
* Next comes the AF On button. On the RP/R8 this is on the right side of the thumb valley, just to the left of the thumb support. This is an ergonomic mistake. I find that every time I pick up the RP or R8 my thumb presses on the AF-On button so it activates when I do not want it to. But when I do want to press the AF-On button it is in the wrong place for optimum use. The R8-2 rectifies this error by moving the button to the left of the thumb valley where it is not accidentally activated but is in the right place when we do want to operate it. It is also right next to the thumb stick which is desirable as these two controls will often be utilised in tandem.
The thumb support appears to have substantial elevation for a steady hold . The two buttons on the thumb support are well positioned and easily worked on the RP, R8, R7 and R10 so there should be no problems on the R8-2.
The Info button, 4-Way rocker dish and lower two buttons are all well located and designed for easy operation.
The rear control panel is well designed and laid out for ease of use while we are operating the camera, with no clutter or redundant buttons or other controls.
There are no buttons, levers or other controls on the front of the camera. This is desirable because control modules on the front tend to be out of sight, out of mind and difficult to locate and operate by feel.
* The location and operation of the Off<>On<>Movie switch is interesting. On the original EOS R the On<>Off lever is on the left side of the EVF. People complained about that because it cannot be operated by the right hand. So on the R5 the On<>Lock<>Off switch went over to the right side and a Photo<>Video switch appeared on the left. But people complained about that so in more recent models we see an Off<>On (photo)<>Video switch on the right, either behind (R7) or in front of or (R8-2) to the right of the Mode Dial. We shall see how that goes. My guess, based on use of several similar Canon RF mount models is that the R8-2 power switch will be easy enough to push On with the right thumb and pull Off with the index finger. Unfortunately the opportunity for pushing a bit too far is ever present resulting in activation of Movie Mode when all we want to do is turn the camera On. Time will tell, but I wish Canon would settle on a location for the power switch and refrain from moving it with each new model.
* On the R8-2 we see Canon experimenting with the shutter button platform angle. On many Canon models this is about 45 degrees to the horizontal. On the RP/R8 it is about 60 degrees, facing forward. Now we see on the R8-2 they have lowered the angle to about 35 degrees, facing more upward than forward. We will have to see how that goes. Canon does like to do little experiments with the ergonomics of successive models. Sometimes this works, other times it fails.
The Function bar/strokey/thingy on the original EOS R was a mistake as is the co-located thumb stick and rear control dial on the R7. I hope the R7-2 when it eventually appears will no longer have that feature.
Early reviewers of the R8-2 have commented on various things as is usual with any new model. Most appear to be exercised by the styling change which I doubt will have any impact on the user experience.
Others have complained about things which the R8-2 does not have such as the larger LP-E6 battery, higher spec sensor, higher spec EVF and monitor, 4-way articulating monitor and a lower rear dial. But if we add all those things we just end up with another R6 model which would defeat the purpose of the exercise.
Looking at the photo above we can see that the R8-2 is a completely different design from the original. The measurements indicated here are approximate but sufficiently accurate to tell the story. The camera body is about 7mm deeper, presumably to accommodate the stabiliser and maybe more heat dissipation. The eyepiece extends rearward an extra 6mm and uses a softer more compliant type of eyecup. These features are more relevant in practice to the viewing experience than the number of dots or pixels in the EVF panel. The total grip depth has increased about 9mm. This should give the handle a fatter feel which has been reported by some reviewers.
Unfortunately the left side handlebar type strap lug has been rotated down so it now projects horizontally out from the body. Boo Canon. The two things I appreciate about Canon strap lugs are that they are the handlebar type which is easily the most user friendly and that most of them do not protrude outwards from the body. It seems every new model brings a new mistake of some kind. Fortunately this is a little one which I hope the rectify next time round.
Summary
Never mind the fuss about styling, that will soon pass.
The Canon EOS R8-2 appears to be a well judged exercise in ergonomic configuration with just the right number and type of controls in the right places and with nice haptic design for an efficient and enjoyable user experience. We shall see in due course if that expectation is met in the long run.
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