Although Canon announced the EOS R6 (and EOS R5) in early July, the camera didn't start shipping until late August. Even then, there was - and still is - very limited stock reaching retailers worldwide due to the current pandemic affecting supply lines. You may be able to pre-order the EOS R6 immediately from authorized Canon resellers who will let you know when your device will be dispatched.
The R6 will set you back $2,499 / £2,499 / AU$4,499, which is by no means cheap. That's an upper-mid-range price tag for a camera that Canon classifies as an enthusiast camera, but it costs about the same as other top contenders for the best mirrorless crown, such as the Nikon Z7 or the Sony A7R III, both of which have high-resolution sensors.
Tested Features of Canon R6
- slow-mo
- 4k video
- iso
- grains
- color tone
- W.B
- picture style
- blur
- bokeh
- low light
- picture quality
- touch screen
- auto light optimization
- burst shoot
- autofocus
- Sharpness
Canon R6 features a rating in Photography
- iso range: 10\10
- color tone: 9\10
- white balance: 9\10
- background blur: 10\10
- bokeh effect: 10\10
- grains coverage: 10\10
- highlights & shadows detail: 10\10
- autofocus: 10\10
- jpeg quality: 9\10
- continuous shooting speed: 10\10
- depth of field: 10\10
- live view photography: 9\10
- eye tracking: 10\10
- flashlight photography: 10\10
- HDR mode: 10\10
- Touch Screen Focus: 9\10
- sharpness: 10\10
- image stabilization: 9\10
Key features of Canon R6
- 20MP Full-Frame CMOS sensor
- DIGIC X image processor
- 4K60p and FHD 120p 10-bit internal video
- Sensor-Shift 5-axis image stabilization
- 3.69 MP EVF | Sensitive Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
- 3˝ 1.62 MILLION DOT VARIABLE LCD TOUCH SCREEN
- DIGIC X PROCESSOR
- MULTI-CONTROLLER (AKA AF JOYSTICK)
- MODE SELECTION
- EYE DETECT AF + ANIMAL DETECT AF
- 2X SLAT ON SD CARDS
- SUPPORTS THE HEIF FILE FORMAT
So many cameras have focused on video creators that it's refreshing to know that manufacturers haven't forgotten about photographers. Canon's target market for the new EOS R6 is "more still-focused photographers" who may want to shoot video on occasion, with the camera inheriting some high-end features from the EOS 1D X Mark III, starting with the processor.
BEFORE
AFTER
Canon's latest Digic X imaging engine works with a slightly redesigned 20.1MP full-frame CMOS sensor, which the manufacturer says is "similar" to that used in sports DSLRs. The updated sensor incorporates Canon's second-generation Dual Pixel autofocus architecture (called Dual Pixel CMOS AF II). This has improved autofocus with phase-difference detection in live view on the R6, and also allows for faster readouts in high-speed continuous shooting and when shooting 4K video at high frame rates. In theory, it should even reduce rolling shutter distortion when using a sensor-based electronic shutter.
20.1MP might seem like a step down for a camera that's supposed to be all-rounder, but it's all about significantly faster speed. The R6 can shoot bursts at 12 frames per second when using the mechanical shutter – a remarkable number for a camera aimed squarely at enthusiasts and hobbyists. If that's not enough for you, just switch to the electronic shutter and the R6 will match the EOS 1D X Mark III's top speed of 20 frames per second.
A lower pixel count also means larger pixels, which translates into better light sensitivity and a higher signal-to-noise ratio, giving the EOS R6 a native ISO range of 100-102,400, expandable either side to ISO 50 and ISO 204,800 – massive up from the EOS R's native ISO sensitivity of 100 to 40,000. Canon says the decision to use a lower-resolution sensor is also meant to help event photographers manage their workflow – fewer pixels mean smaller file sizes, speeding up transfer speeds.
BEFORE
AFTER
The main feature, however, is the addition of in-body image stabilization, something Canon has historically shied away from. The newly designed 5-axis system, Canon says, offers up to 8 stops of compensation when working in tandem with a stabilized lens, although shutter speed compensation will depend on the lens used. For example, with the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens, which has 5 stops of image stabilization, you get 8 stops of coordinated control; however, with the RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM, which is longer and heavier but has the same stabilization at 5 EV, you get a combined stabilization of 6.5 EV.
We used this lens for most of our testing and were able to shoot handheld at a shutter speed of 2 seconds at an effective focal length of 24mm - pretty much in line with Canon's claims. And if you use a non-IS lens (like the RF 28-70mm f/2), you still get the full 8 EV of stabilization.
The R6's autofocus system has also been boosted impressively. There are 6,072 user-selectable AF points covering 100% of the frame - an improvement over the EOS R's 5,655 AF point system. Canon also claims the R6 (and R5) have the "world's fastest AF for a full-frame camera" measured at 0 .05 seconds, although the EOS R also claims the same AF acquisition speed. That said, Sony beats Canon with the APS-C format Alpha A6400, which has an AF acquisition speed of 0.02 seconds.
BEFORE
AFTER
Like the 1D X Mark III, the EOS R6 also supports HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) files. This means images are captured in 10-bit RGB color for a wider dynamic range and color gamut. This format also uses a more efficient compression algorithm that saves much more information than traditional JPEG and is a great alternative for anyone who doesn't shoot in RAW.
BILAL
When it comes to video, the R6 clearly doesn't compete with the R5. 4K/60p capture is the best you can get here, and only in UHD. There's no DCI support for a more cinematic look, but Canon didn't design this camera for videographers. That said, the ability to shoot 4K video while using the full width of the sensor is a huge advantage the R6 has over the EOS R and RP.
