My old DSLR finally bit the dust last week during a hike and honestly, the timing is just terrible. I really need something new before my sister's wedding in mid-October because I promised to get some decent shots of the ceremony since they arent hiring a pro. I am looking at either the Canon EOS R8 or the R10. The R8 is obviously the better camera but its really pushing the top end of my 1500 dollar budget, and the R10 is way more comfortable price-wise but I worry about the crop sensor performance in low light at the reception. I am based in Chicago so I have access to some local shops, but most of them are selling at MSRP. Does anyone know if Canon does their own refurbished sales often or should I just stalk B&H and Adorama for bundle deals? Ive seen some sketchy looking sites that claim to have huge discounts but I dont want to get scammed out of my savings. Is the savings from buying used/refurbished actually worth the risk of not having the full warranty protection for a wedding shoot?
To add to the point above: skip the R10 for weddings. The Canon EOS R8 Full Frame Mirrorless delivers superior signal-to-noise ratios, making it the only logical choice for low-light reception shots.
Stick with the official Canon refurbished site for the Canon EOS R8 Full Frame Mirrorless if you can stretch it. In my experience, the low light performance beats any crop sensor.
@Michaelchurl - good point! Honestly, pairing a faster prime lens with a crop sensor body is a total game changer for budget shooters. Everyone here is pushing the Canon EOS R8 Full Frame Mirrorless for that low light advantage, which is definitely fair, but don't underestimate what a solid prime can do for your photos. If you're really worried about the wedding reception, that Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM lens is basically magic compared to a standard kit zoom. Personally, I think the R8 is the way to go if you can swing it, but if the budget is tight, get the Canon EOS R10 Mirrorless APS-C 24.2MP and put the extra cash toward better glass. You'll have way more fun with a fast prime anyway! Definitely avoid those random websites with too-good-to-be-true prices, it's just not worth the headache. Stick to authorized spots like B&H or the official refurbished site and you'll be set for the big day. You've got this!
Jumping in here. Honestly, I tried the Canon EOS R10 Mirrorless APS-C 24.2MP for a wedding last year and unfortunately the noise in low light was a massive headache. Even with good glass, it struggled compared to what I expected.
- Check Greentoe for price matching.
- Always stick to authorized dealers. Refurbished stuff is usually great, but if you want to avoid stress, buying local used might save enough for a decent lens.
To add to the point above: while the R8 is solid, I think people are sleeping on the value of a high-quality lens over a full-frame body. If you are worried about the budget, you could easily grab an Canon EOS R10 Mirrorless APS-C and pair it with the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM lens.
- The f/1.8 aperture on that lens is gonna let in way more light than the kit glass, basically negating the low-light disadvantages of the crop sensor.
- I have been using this combo for casual shoots and honestly, I am satisfied with the results.
- Focusing on the glass gives you more creative flexibility and keeps you under that 1500 dollar limit. Buying brand new from an authorized dealer like B&H gives you the factory warranty which you really dont want to skip for a wedding. Relying on a fast prime lens is a pro move that performs reliably without needing a full-frame investment right now.