Canon EOS R6 Mark II Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

March 6, 2023

Pros

Build and design
Humidity and dust proof
Good sensitivity management
Sensor stabilisation
Excellent overall responsiveness
Highly effective AF subject detection

Cons

Low buffer memory
Low exposure latitude

Overview

It usually takes 3 to 5 years for each generation of camera. However, after the almost surprising success of the first EOS R6, Canon decided to release a new model just over two years later. Here comes the EOS R6 Mark II, determined to continue the success of its elder brother.

To do so, the company with the red border proposes more subtle than significant evolutions. Thus, in addition to a slightly rethought design, the R6 Mark II recovers a more defined 24.2 Mpx sensor under the standards of these last years.

Technical Data

Model	Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Form factor	Mirrorless
Effective still resolution	24.2 MP
Sensitivity (ISO range)	100 - 102400 ISO
Connectivity Technology	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI
Video mode	4K UHD, FHD, 60 fps

Speed

Also, the autofocus component has been revised, notably detecting more varied subjects, such as horses or trains. And above all, the burst is now 40 fps, the fastest rate for a 35mm sensor camera. That’s quite a performance!

From the front, it won’t be easy – for the less experienced eye – to differentiate the R6 II from the first model. It perfectly follows the lines of Canon’s hybrid range, right down to the coating. The main differences are at the top of the body.

Control

The power button has been moved to the right shoulder and has been given a lock option between “off” and “on”. A function whose relevance escapes us. Because of the placement of the power switch, you often find yourself with a locked case when you want to turn it on or off.

On the left shoulder is a switch between photo and video mode, the latter with its own menu. The back of the camera is almost identical to the first R6. The only difference is that the joystick is now curved and much more pleasant to touch and handle.

The screen (touchscreen on a ball joint) and the viewfinder (EVF) retain their respective resolutions of 1.62 Mpt and 3.69 Mpt. With the EVF, a 120 fps frame rate can be selected for smoother viewing, a welcome option when shooting action.

Weight

Interestingly, while adopting more or less the same curves as the R6, this Mark II version is 10g lighter. Its 670g is close to a Sony A7 IV or a Fujifilm X-H2. What’s notable here is that unlike many of its competitors, who get carried away, the EOS R6 II knows how to remain reasonable.

Efficient

We also remain classic for image storage, with two SD ports compatible with the UHS-II standard. Canon has not taken any risks with the ergonomics of its camera. As is often the case with the Japanese company, everything is in its place and works perfectly well apart from the lock system. Similarly, the mechanical shutter closes when the camera is turned off to protect the sensor when changing lenses.

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This option was introduced by Canon on its EOS R5 and EOS R6 and has since been adopted by several manufacturers, including Sony and Nikon, with a slightly different operation on its Z9.

Responsiveness

Canon says it has refined its autofocus system, even if the EOS R6 Mark II uses the same Digic X processor that has proven itself over the last few years. Thus, the R6 version II is as fast as ever. Its start-up is fast, and the point is quickly acquired, day or night. Only switching between several distant shots in low light can cause some slowdowns without affecting the general response of the autofocus. The sequence of images is also fluid.

The Canon wakes up much quicker than the Sony A7 IV – a long-standing Sony fault that has been corrected with the Alpha 7R V (A7R V). The cameras then compete in focus, with the R6 Mark II even taking the lead in shot sequencing.

Shutter

The EOS R6 and R5 had distinguished themselves by being the first 35mm cameras not intended for sports photography to be able to shoot at up to 20 fps. Subsequently, specific cameras such as the Canon EOS R3 and the Sony Alpha 1 (A1) reached 30 fps. The EOS R6 Mark II takes it further by announcing up to 40 fps!

Buffer

The buffer is limited to 46 consecutive images with uncompressed raw, which is just over a second before the card has to be unloaded, which can mean waiting for long seconds before you can shoot again.

With compressed raw (CRaw), up to 96 shots can be buffered, which is important if you want to use this camera for sports or wildlife photography. It is, therefore, advisable to plan before taking photographs. A “raw capture” mode allows you to capture images up to half a second before the shutter is released and at 30 fps. This generates a rather heavy raw file, which must be demosaiced using Canon’s software.

Image quality

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II features a 24.2MP stabilised CMOS sensor, which is unprecedented for a Canon full-frame hybrid.

However, the R6 II’s sensor is not stacked – a technology that allows for faster data transfer – which is not ideal for avoiding the distortion associated with the rolling shutter effect in electronic shuttering. Its sensitivity range is from ISO 100 to 102,400 and can be extended from ISO 50 to 204,800.

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Images from the R6 Mark II perform well up to ISO 800. From ISO 1600 onwards, a slight degradation is observable and becomes more pronounced at ISO 3200. On jpegs and raw images, smoothing and electronic noise is noticeable at ISO 6400, but the photos remain quite good up to ISO 25,600. Depending on your needs, images at ISO 51,200 may be used under certain conditions.

Autofocus and rolling shutter

The autofocus that we were so pleased with it still remains at a very high level in video. It is precise, and the tracking is paused as soon as the subject leaves the frame, thus limiting micro-pumping effects.

Canon says it has managed to limit distortion due to the rolling shutter. And while 4K footage is still less prone to distortion than 8K video from a Sony A7R V, it’s not perfect either; the “magic” of stacked sensors doesn’t work with this camera.

Conclusion

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is a perfect camera. It is a worthy successor to the first R6 with some interesting, even notable evolutions, such as a better definition, a lightning-fast burst or very efficient autofocus tracking. A versatile camera that competes with the best on the market in its segment.

★★★★★