CANON EOS R6 II OVERVIEW

In Canon's words, this is going to be a game-changing camera for their current users shooting both video and stills. Built with an approximate 24.2MP Full-frame CMOS sensor and Digic X Image Processor, the EOS R6 Mark II delivers virtually noise-free high-quality images in every situation. With a high-speed burst and an enhanced AF/AE tracking system, this camera guarantees that our scenes will be spotlessly registered every time. Here, we bring a detailed overview of what this brand-new $2,499.00 camera body is all about.

Key specifications include:

• 62M-dot, 3-inch rear touchscreen
• 12 fps mechanical shutter (40 fps electronic shutter)
• 2MP CMOS sensor
• 68M-dot EVF capable of up to 120 fps refresh (0.76x magnification)
• 4K/60p video (oversampled from 6K)
• 6K ProRes Raw video with a compatible Atomos recorder
• 760 shot-per-charge battery rating (CIPA)
• Built-in image stabilization rated to 8.0 stops
• Dual UHS-II SD card slots
• Moving subject HDR mode
• Raw burst mode with pre-capture

Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

Before continuing with this overview, it is important to note that we are dealing with a full-frame mirrorless camera, therefore we can already expect it to be a bit pricier than smaller sensor cameras. The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is an evolved full-frame camera with some interesting hybrid features for both photography and video. It allows different photographic expressions that exceed the frontiers between documenting personal life and professional image-making purposes, as well as in-between photo shooting and movie shooting. This means more creativity for every aspect surrounding our restless quotidian lives.

This camera has an improved resolution when compared to its predecessor the EOS R6 Mark I. If you are well-informed about the photographic world, you'll be in the know that several cameras are using Sony-built imaging sensors. Therefore, it is interesting to note that Canon has made it very clear that this camera has a Canon-developed 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor with approx. 24.2 effective megapixels, which enables the camera to capture sharp and detailed images, even in low-light scenarios.

Despite complex lighting conditions, whether day or night, indoor or outdoor, dark zones in the image, even at high ISO speeds and increased sensitivity, are beautifully rendered with low noise. An efficient DIGIC X Image Processor fosters high-performance coordination and operation of processes such as Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, Image Stabilization, Image Processing, and video. Also, this Image Processor ensures that our photos and videos will look sharp and will keep high resolution with minimal noise.

And for the very first time in the full-frame Canon EOS camera lineup, the EOS R6 Mark II presents RAW Burst Mode at up to 30 fps. By turning on the aforementioned Pre-Shooting Mode, the shooting slightly starts before (about 0.5 seconds earlier) the shutter button is completely pressed.  Matched with high-speed continuous shooting at speeds of up to 12 fps with the mechanical shutter and up to 40 fps using the electronic shutter, the EOS R6 II captures split-second details between any given subject's movements. And by any, we mean anything between humans, mammals, birds, insects, planes, and even trains, making this camera a great tool for professional action shooters.

Extremely Accurate Subject Detection

With blazing fast autofocus, the highly responsive Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system covers up to approximately 100% of the frame, breaking the image into 1,053 automatically selected AF zones, enabling Whole Area AF. The result is outstanding Autofocus coverage, giving us the needed compositional freedom when focusing our subjects in nearly any area in the scene.

Thanks to Canon's Deep Learning Technology, horses, trains, and planes are now easier to detect. Additionally, all the conventional subjects like people, dogs, cats, birds, cars, and motorcycles, are also within the detectable subjects the EOS R6 II is capable of precisely tracking. For more comfortable use, Auto Mode is now available for allowing the camera to automatically select the type of subject without the need of switching to the Subject Detection setting in the menu.

Several cameras still struggle to distinctly detect subjects in the frame, especially in complex light situations. This camera is capable of locating and focusing upon a person's head, face, or eye when the Subject Detection menu is set to People, allowing better tracking of our subjects. Additionally, left or right eye detection is also available and can be programmed to a Custom Button making it easy to focus on the preferred eye at the moment. Also, it can precisely track the whole body, face, or eye of animals, no matter their size, posture, or face orientation.

Let's Talk About Some Video!

Like several other mirrorless camera systems, the Canon EOS R6 II prioritizes video over still image making. With motion picture optimization, the continuous footage recording goes beyond this camera's previous model. Its wide video recording capabilities feature goodies like 6K oversampled uncropped 4K movies at up to 60 fps, Full-HD High-frame rate movie recording at up to 180 fps, and AF tracking. Also, the brand-new Canon EOS R6 Mark II can meet the needs of both serious hobbyists and experienced video content creators alike. It can continuously record Full-HD video for up to 6 hours, allowing us to set up our video and keep our projects rolling without worrying about stopping. Also, we'll be able to continuously record Full-HD 179.82p for up to 60 minutes or more, and 4K 59.94p for up to 50 minutes or more.

About the shooting times, Canon states that the maximum shooting duration may be shorter under certain circumstances, even if the recording begins from a "cold start". This happens due to a rise in temperature inside the camera caused by pre-shooting camera setting operations or by prolonged use of the Live View mode. When the card is full, the movie recording stops automatically.

The simultaneous recording mode for both movies and stills to dual UHS-II SD card slots enables a backup to be created, so we can shoot with absolute confidence that our precious images will be safely recorded every time. And for advanced creators, Canon Log 3, HDR PQ, in-camera Full-HD proxy recording, and 6K 59.94p RAW data output to an external storage device deliver the image quality to support various production purposes. Focus breathing correction (with compatible Canon RF lenses) automatically compensates for shifts in the angle's variation of view caused by focus operations during movie recording.

Estimated Recording time varies between H.264/AVC & H.265/HEVC. In the first scenario, both Canon Log and HDR PQ are off, and in the second one, they are on. Then, similar behaviors are encountered for Bit rate only which only applies to video output, not audio or metadata. Then, the audio gets recorded when [C.Fn4 audio compression: Enable] (Audio: AAC) is set, and movie recording stops when the maximum recording time per movie is reached. And take into account that, for approximately the last two frames, no audio gets recorded after reaching the recording time limit.

Related to this, the first version of Canon's R6 was capable of capturing UHD 4K/60p video but with some limitations. First, it forced a slight crop (1.07x) from the full sensor's width; then the video was capped in all modes at 30 minutes per clip. Something long gone as we can see from this information unveiled by Canon.

The EOS R6 II records oversampled UHD 4K/60p video using the entire width of its sensor, so no more crop! And it will also be possible to capture 4K/60p from an APS-C crop of the sensor. In both cases, thermal performance appears to be improved. Also important to note, Canon claims we can record 4K/60p for up to 40 minutes using the full sensor width and up to 50 minutes in APS-C mode, and there are no time restrictions when shooting at slower frame rates like 4K/30p or 4K/24p.

High frame rate performance has also been improved, with the ability to capture up to 1080/180p, compared to 1080/120p on the EOS R6 Mark I. Nevertheless, full HD footage is not oversampled, so there's some loss in quality. Canon says we should be able to record for 60 minutes or more in this mode before overheating becomes a real issue on the field. To be honest there is a lot of slow-motion footage; such limitations are rarely reached in professional workflows.

Some Other Nice Features to Consider

In-body Image Stabilizer

Rigged with movie digital IS and 5-axis in-body Image Stabilization, the brand-new EOS R6 Mark II allows some silky movie shooting with less blur and camera vibration. With up to 8 stops of shake correction with Coordinated image stabilization, merging IBIS, and optical IS available in some of the Canon RF lenses, the camera makes handheld shooting easier at slower shutter speeds and in low-light situations. To compensate for low-frequency camera movements, such as those present when recording while walking, there’s also electronic Movie Digital IS, which can be independently activated.

Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD

Featuring a 3.0-inch, 1.62 million dot Clear View LCD II Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD, the EOS R6 Mark II makes it easy to compose and shoot from virtually any angle. This is made with a TFT color, and liquid-crystal monitor, and the screen's aspect ratio is 3:2. It covers approximately 100% of the shot both vertically and horizontally. Brightness is manually adjustable to one of seven levels, and the touch-screen operation supports Autofocus Point selection, Touch Autofocus, Touch Shutter, Menu selection, Quick Control Menu, and Magnified view. The screen features a clear view LCD II coating, and anti-smudge coating has also been applied to it during the manufacturing process.

0.5-inch OLED EVF with Approx. 3.69 Million Dots

No high-end mirrorless camera system would be complete without a proper electronic viewfinder. For the EOS R6 II, a high-precision 0.5-inch OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) EVF has been installed. It has approximately 3.69 million dots and features a 23mm eyepoint which displays a bright image filled with extensive shooting information. The EOS R6 Mark II’s EVF supports up to a 120 fps refresh rate and has been designed to provide a bright, sharp, and colorful 100% view of the subject at hand.  Interestingly enough, there’s also an Optical Viewfinder (OVF) Simulation setting, which provides a higher dynamic range viewfinder image for superior viewing in harsh, contrasty lighting situations.

Wired and Wireless Communications

Unique to the EOS R6 Mark II is the ability to link the camera to a computer or smartphone via USB-C. All Canon Camera Connect app features that can be used with Wi-Fi are now available when the camera and smartphone are connected via USB, using a compatible cable for your device. UVC/UAC compatibility enables this camera to be used as a web camera and stream live video in Full HD, without the need for additional computer software or applications like Zoom™, Microsoft Teams™, Skype™, and similar online meeting solutions. Thanks to the full-frame CMOS sensor, we'll be able to broadcast clear live video images with low noise during remote conferences or live streaming content.

And for wireless communication, this camera supports both wired and wireless connections to smartphones via USB Type-C port, built-in Wi-Fi®, and Bluetooth® technologies, making it easier to upload and share files as one needs. The Bluetooth® pairing helps to connect the camera to compatible smart devices using the free Canon Camera Connect app. This is considered to be a low-energy wireless connection, so it helps preserve battery life while providing remote control of the camera. It also constantly sends updated GPS location data from our phones, allowing us to precisely geotag whatever we captured on the field. Boost your wireless functions, such as file viewing and transferring by quickly connecting to Wi-Fi and exchanging data with other Wi-Fi-compatible Canon cameras. By using the Canon Camera Connect app, we can also transfer files to our mobile devices for further sharing purposes.

A Final Thought

Canon has produced a worthy successor of the solid EOS R6, and this is quite an interesting solution for those serious shooters somewhat tied to Canon due to lenses and maybe workflow. And yes, this can also be an interesting piece of equipment for those DSLR shooters that have finally decided to take a step forward with mirrorless camera systems. The body isn't cheap but is a decent price considering the full-frame sensor and all the solid video features embedded in this somewhat light body.