The Canon EOS R6 Mark II has put an end to speculation that it may have the same sensor as Canon’s flagship sports camera, but the new full-frame mirrorless monster is still a well-rounded camera. (Looking to jump straight to our original verdict? Let’s start our practice Canon EOS R6 Mark II Review).
The EOS R6 Mark II is the follow-up to the original 2020 EOS R6 and the main upgrade is a new 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor. This gives Canon’s new model a 20% increase in resolution over its 20MP predecessor, which should please photographers looking for a bit of detail or potential cropping.
Previous rumors have optimistically predicted that the EOS R6 Mark II could feature the same ‘stacked’ 24.1MP sensor seen in the Canon EOS R3. The stacked sensors have blazing fast read rates for quick burst shooting and professional video quality, but they also come with a hefty price tag.
However, the new sensor of the EOS R6 Mark II offers more than just resolution help. It’s also fast enough for 40 fps continuous shooting with autofocus in raw or JPEG, without any cropping. However, it can’t sustain those speeds for too long (just under two seconds when capturing raw files), but that’s still twice as fast as the EOS R6 and a potential bonus for games. action or sports shooting.
Another help in that department is the EOS R6 Mark II’s upgraded Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system. Thanks to a number of deep learning enhancements, it can now recognize and track planes, trains, and a wider variety of animals than before (including horses and zebras). A bit of an understatement, but the AF system is also more confident when shooting people, as we discovered in our initial preview.
The camera’s new sensor also supports some improved video skills. You can shoot uncropped 4K/60p video, which is also oversampled from the camera’s native 6K resolution. That’s the recipe for some high-quality video, although sadly there’s still no 4K/120p mode for slow motion fans.
On the other hand, the EOS R6 Mark II is very similar to its predecessor, which is not a bad thing. It features a fast identical physical design with great handling and a new multi-function shoe on the upper to pair it with accessories like Canon’s new Speedlite EL-5. In the US and Australia, it also has the same price tag as the original EOS R6, priced at $2,499 / £2,779 / AU$4,499 (body only), with the UK price being about an 11% increase.
You can also preorder the camera right now with the RF 24-105 f/4L IS USM lens for $3,599 / £3,999 / AU$6,399. In the US and UK, you can also buy the cheaper EOS R6 Mark II with RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM zoom lens for $2,799 / £3,129, with expected sales will start at the end of November.
Analysis: Not stacked, but definitely torn
Picture first of the 2
Speculation that the Canon EOS R6 Mark II might have a stacked sensor has proven to be a pipe dream and it’s not a huge surprise. Only a handful of full-frame cameras have that modern sensor design, and they’re all pretty pricey compared to Canon’s new hybrid shooter.
But that doesn’t mean the EOS R6 Mark II is overwhelming or underpowered. Its new 24.2MP sensor may not be stacked or even backlit, but it clearly has some pretty quick read-outs, as shown in that 40fps burst rate. and the ability to shoot oversampled 4K/60p without crop.
In other words, mirrorless cameras don’t have to have stacked sensors to be considered high quality or professional quality. The EOS R6 Mark II may be a relatively modest upgrade in other areas, but it overcomes most of the weaknesses of its predecessor. And as our reviewer comments, “very few cameras at this price point can match its hybrid prowess” for stills and video capture.
It will definitely be an interesting argument with Sony A7 IV and Nikon Z6 II though, stay tuned for our full Canon EOS R6 Mark II Review very soon. And if your budget isn’t too tight for those cameras, check out our guide to Black Friday camera deals for some tips on how to land a bargain this month.
