In photography, a sequel titled “Mark II” can be understood in one of two ways. It’s possible that this will seem like a mediocre or slight improvement to some people. But when it comes to the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, many people will be hoping that it implies that Canon has given the final touches to what would be their ideal camera. This is because the Canon EOS R6 Mark II was announced.
The first generation of the Canon EOS R6, which was released in July 2020 and is no longer being manufactured, was a full-frame camera that was very good but fell short of exceptional.
Many people found that the camera’s resolution of 20 megapixels was the one shortcoming in an otherwise excellent photographic experience with the device. Some people felt that having such a low resolution on an all-rounder camera was slightly too restricting, even though a fair resolution is ideal for professional sports photographers searching for quickness.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II, with its new 24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor, is now available. The resolution has been improved by twenty percent compared to its predecessor, resulting in more detail and increased versatility when cropping photographs. However, it could also be the optimal setting for shooting in bursts and video.
Canon R6 Mark II Release Date & Price
Pre-orders for the Canon EOS R6 Mark II may be placed for $2,499 / £2,779 / AU$ 4,499 for the camera’s body only. For an additional $3,599 (£3,999), you can have the camera bundled with the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens. This option will set you back AU$ 6,399. You will also be able to acquire it with the more affordable RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM zoom lens for the same price of $2,799 or £3,129 in some locations.
Canon R6 Mark II Design
Except for a few user-friendliness enhancements, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II and the original EOS R6 are identical in appearance. This relaxed familiarity is not always negative, especially considering how much fun we had shooting with its predecessor.
To begin, those modifications. On the left-hand side, where the on/off button used to be, a switch allows you to toggle between the stills mode and the video mode. That is an enhancement since it will enable you to utilize the camera in the same manner regardless of whether you are taking pictures or videos, which might be either. The “on/off/lock” switch may now be found just above the rear command dial in its new location.
Canon R6 Mark II Features & Performance
Even though it does not have a stacked sensor like the Canon EOS R3, the new 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor is included in the EOS R6 Mark II (together with the Digic X engine) and provides some noticeable gains in terms of performance for both still images and video.
To begin, there is the headline-grabbing continuous shooting speed of 40 frames per second when utilizing the electronic shutter on the EOS R6 Mark II. This equals the maximum frame rate of the Fujifilm X-H2S and twice the previous model’s maximum shooting speed of 20 frames per second (which has a smaller APS-C sensor).
Canon R6 Mark II Image & Video Quality
The EOS R6 Mark II has a sensor with 24.2 megapixels, a significant improvement over its predecessor in terms of still images and high-definition video. Some Canon devotees will continue to wait for the company to release a full-frame mirrorless camera with 30 megapixels.
To begin, the EOS R7 has a resolution that is 20% higher than that of the EOS R6, which is a benefit for photographers who place a premium on capturing a high level of detail in their still images or on having the flexibility to crop into them.
These additional pixels have the potential to have a detrimental impact on the high-ISO performance of the EOS R6 Mark II by providing the possibility for a rise in noise. This is just speculation. Canon claims that the new camera’s high-ISO image quality is comparable to its predecessor’s, but we will need a little more time to verify this claim.
The EOS R6 Mark II’s video capabilities are significantly improved due to this sensor. Canon claims that the rolling shutter issues that were prevalent on its predecessor should be much improved (we’ll need more time with the camera to test this). It can now shoot oversampled 4K/60p video (with Dual Pixel CMOS AF II) using the entire width of its sensor. We’ll need more time with the camera to test these claims.
Canon R6 Mark II Specs
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
|---|---|
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 26 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Digic X |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Yes, 100-102400 (expands to 204800) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 204800 |
| White balance presets | 8 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| Image stabilization notes | Works with lens-based IS systems for maximum shake reduction |
| CIPA image stabilization rating | 8 stop(s) |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, Normal |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.31)Raw (Canon CR3)HEIF (10-bit) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 4897 |
| Number of cross-type focus points | 1053 |
| Lens mount | Canon RF |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,620,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.76× |
| Viewfinder resolution | 3,690,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/8000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | Single ShootingHigh-speed continuousLow-speed continuous |
| Continuous drive | 40.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpotPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 340 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 170 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 230 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 340 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 170 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 230 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 170 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 85 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 170 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 85 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 170 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 85 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 180 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 70 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 180 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 70 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 90 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 35 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 90 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 35 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 45 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 12 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 45 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 12 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 45 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 12 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | Dual SD slots (UHS-II) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Yes (micro HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 360 |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Canon R6 Mark II Final Verdict
Although the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is not a significantly more significant update than its predecessor, it improves upon that camera’s strengths (including its great focusing, impressive stabilization, and good handling) while addressing most of its deficiencies.
The new 24.2MP sensor provides a noticeable increase in resolution, which was the primary limitation of the original EOS R6. In addition, there is a new 40fps burst shooting mode (even though it has limited practical use), an advanced AF system, and some more powerful video features. All of these improvements were made.
It’s possible that some Canon photographers would have liked a lower number of video functions in exchange for a higher still image resolution comparable to that of the 30.3MP Canon EOS R. However, the EOS R6 Mark II is a hybrid camera that strikes an excellent balance, and it is a compelling alternative to the Nikon Z6 II and the Sony A7 IV.
