Canon EOS R6 Mark II assessment: Jack of all trades
The Canon EOS R6 has confirmed to be a preferred alternative over the previous couple of years. It is a mirrorless digicam – in fact – and gives stable video and picture capabilities with a powerful full-frame sensor. Whereas it does not come low cost, it does not enterprise into the extraordinarily costly territory of Canon’s higher-end fashions both, making it the appropriate choice for lots of customers.
Now, its successor has arrived, and whereas it might look very comparable at a look, it is aiming to take that successful formulation to the subsequent stage.
There are quite a few adjustments on this mannequin, with essentially the most thrilling being a brand new sensor, improved autofocus and refined video options.
We had been excited to see the way it performs, so we have been placing it to the check. Here is what we realized.
Canon
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Really useful
4.5/5
With glorious picture and video capabilities, stable autofocus, Canon’s famend color science and a few of the quickest burst taking pictures on this class, the EOS R6 Mark II represents the candy spot for lots of people.
- 4K 60fps video with no crop
- 180fps gradual movement in 1080p
- Improved AF efficiency
- 40fps burst taking pictures
- It is somewhat dear
- IBIS is vulnerable to edge-warping
Design
- Physique: 138.4 × 98.4 × 88.4mm
- Weight: 588g (670g with card and battery)
- Climate-sealed physique
- New picture/video mode change and joystick design
As we talked about up high, the R6 Mark II appears loads like the unique, and it feels prefer it, too. They’re each about the identical weight and have virtually equivalent dimensions. They’re so comparable, in truth, that the battery grip for the R6 works with the Mark II, as effectively.
That mentioned, there are just a few outward variations to notice. Firstly, a brand new video/picture mode change is current on the left-hand facet, the place the ability change was situated on the unique. Consequently, the ability change has been shifted to the right-hand facet behind the thumb wheel.
This may take some getting used to for those who’re upgrading from the R6, nevertheless it has been achieved for a great purpose. The brand new mode change means that you could now entry three separate customized modes for picture, and three extra modes for video. It is a large win for usability and practicality.
The ability change location can be higher, in our opinion, because it means that you could flip it on with one hand when holding the digicam by the grip.
A much less important change is that the joystick has acquired a slight redesign. The tip is convex on the Mark II, however was concaved on the unique R6. There’s not a lot of a sensible distinction between them, fact be instructed, and we discovered each designs equally useful.
As with the older mannequin, the digicam physique feels substantial and sturdy, whereas Canon’s signature ergonomic design language makes it really feel comfy within the hand.
Connectivity and shows
- Twin SD card slots
- Micro HDMI, 3.5mm headphone and mic sockets, USB-C
- Flip out 3-inch 1.62 million dot LCD
- 0.5-inch 3.69 million dot 120Hz OLED EVF
Each the EVF and flip-out touchscreen LCD are unchanged from the R6, however that is no unhealthy factor. The viewfinder is especially spectacular, with ample dimension, a easy 120Hz refresh price and glorious distinction from the OLED panel.
The LCD will get the job achieved handily, too, with contact controls feeling extremely responsive and sufficient brightness output to compete with most lighting circumstances.
Bodily connections are largely unchanged on this mannequin, however there are some upgrades to their performance. The new shoe has been upgraded to Canon’s Multi-Operate Shoe customary, which implies you may connect extra superior equipment resembling audio adapters, microphones and flash weapons.
The USB-C port has seen somewhat improve in usefulness, too. Now you can switch photographs and movies to your cellphone with a wired connection, somewhat than simply over Wi-Fi. It has MFi certification, too, so Apple customers should not have a lot problem in utilizing this function. As earlier than, the USB-C port works for charging and connecting to a PC, too, nevertheless it will not allow you to file on to an SSD.
The HDMI output will now let you file ProRes RAW footage to an exterior machine, resembling an Atomos recorder, which may show helpful for skilled video shooters. Sadly, it is nonetheless the identical fragile micro HDMI connection sort, a full-sized port would have been very nice to see.
For storage, you get twin UHS-II SD card slots. There is not any want for CFexpress on this mannequin, as ultra-high bitrate codecs require an exterior recorder. On the plus facet, SD playing cards are a way more reasonably priced choice.
Pictures and movies
- Full body CMOS sensor – 24.2MP stills
- Sensor shift IBIS: as much as 8-stops
- As much as 40fps burst taking pictures / 12fps with mechanical shutter
- As much as 4K 60fps / 1080p 180fps video
- 4:2:2 10bit color when CLOG3 or HDR PQ is lively
On the R6 Mark II, the sensor decision has been elevated to 24.2MP, up from 20MP on the R6. And whereas the additional decision is all the time good to have, we won’t see the 4MP improve being an enormous draw in direction of this mannequin.
As an alternative, it is what you are able to do with this sensor that is a bit extra thrilling. On the picture facet, burst taking pictures with the digital shutter has been bumped as much as 40fps and the buffer ought to permit for round 190 JPEGs, 30 RAW pictures or 140 CRAW pics.
After all, the standard rolling shutter caveats apply, however this staggering burst price will definitely show helpful for sure sports activities and wildlife eventualities.
One other enchancment is within the space of autofocus, which Canon says has inherited a few of the EOS R3’s machine-learning algorithm smarts, and will now follow topics extra reliably.
There are some new monitoring modes this time, too. Along with individuals and animals, the R6 Mark II can observe automobiles, and a general-purpose auto mode has been added.
In our testing autofocus was quick and dependable, significantly with human topics, nevertheless it did a fairly stable job with animals too. This consists of taking pictures horses, which weren’t supported on the older animal detection modes.
We discovered that the autofocus struggled somewhat extra with product images, significantly glossy-backed telephones, which is one thing we shoot loads right here at Pocket-lint. Although, in such eventualities, it is not an excessive amount of of a problem to modify to handbook focus.
General, we had been very happy with our photographic outcomes. The pictures profit from Canon’s famend color science and are available out wanting sharp and vibrant. There is a distinct lack of noise too, in all probability owing to the comparatively low-resolution sensor, so this is perhaps a great decide for those who shoot a number of low gentle.
Arguably it is the enhancements to video taking pictures which have a bigger impression, although. There are not any extra recording limits, whereas you had been restricted to 30-minute clips on the earlier mannequin. There is not any crop this time both, together with at 4K 60p, pretty stuff.
As well as, the slow-motion capabilities have been upped to 180fps at Full HD, in comparison with 120fps on the R6. We would like to have seen increased body charges at 4K, however that is wishful considering on this worth vary – with the Sony ZV-E1 being a notable exception.
Our video outcomes had been additionally very good, with autofocus working fairly reliably and glorious constancy from the oversampled 4K picture. The IBIS is not essentially the most spectacular that we have come throughout for video, with some edge warping at wider focal lengths, nevertheless it’s nonetheless very efficient and serviceable for our wants.
Verdict
We have actually loved our time with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, it is a powerful digicam in virtually each regard. Our solely criticism is one which may very well be seen as a constructive, and that is that it does not excel in anybody space, it is simply fairly good at the whole lot.
Normally, with higher-end mirrorless our bodies, you see a leaning in direction of video or picture efficiency, whereas the EOS R6 Mark II simply does all of it. In case you’re a real hybrid shooter, this may very well be an ideal alternative.
After all, at this worth level, there are many spectacular our bodies to take care of. For instance, the Lumix S5II gives the identical decision, higher IBIS and 6K video recording at a considerably cheaper price. However, with Panasonic’s restricted full-frame lens choice, it is a non-starter for many individuals.
In case you’re already invested in some respectable Canon glass, then realistically, you are in all probability not seeking to change anytime quickly. In our view, the R6 Mark II is essentially the most compelling alternative within the present Canon full-frame mirrorless lineup. It gives all of the options you can want whereas remaining in a (considerably) reasonably priced worth bracket.
