Canon EOS R6 Mark II introduced: The manufacturer’s fastest full-frame camera to date.

In the fall, we can traditionally expect many innovations in the camera segment. A few days ago, Sony presented its new photo flagship with the A7R V, and in mid-September Fujifilm launched the X-H2 with a 40-megapixel sensor. So now Canon is following suit and has introduced the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, its fastest full-frame camera to date, with a new sensor and numerous improvements.

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II in detail

The original R6 is still one of the most popular full-frame cameras in the mid-range price segment and scores with a convincing autofocus and good image quality – although the 20-megapixel sensor lagged behind the competition.

So a new edition was needed. And Canon has now delivered with the new Canon EOS R6 Mark II. It marks Canon’s fastest full-frame mirrorless camera to date with continuous autofocus tracking and enables image series with up to 40 frames per second with an electronic shutter, while 12 frames per second are still possible with the mechanical shutter.

The manufacturer has also increased the sensor resolution, which is now on par with the competition with 24.2 megapixels. Maximum images up to ISO 102,400 are possible. The same DIGIC X processor technology is used, which also works in the R5, for example.

The Mark II also significantly improves the autofocus and uses the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which combines more speed and high precision. The EOS R6 Mark II is able to detect subjects and track focus on them as they move through the frame. With the help of improved artificial intelligence (Deep Learning), autofocus has also been optimized.

People, vehicles and depth can be tracked effectively – new are, for example, modes for airplanes, trains, horses or zebras. You can specify yourself which subject should be photographed or leave the detection to the camera in automatic mode.

Strong stabilizer, high speed

Canon also promotes the new EOS R6 Mark II with a particularly strong image stabilization that can compensate for up to eight exposure levels. The combination of the optical IS in the lens and the in-camera IS allows for long exposure times from handheld – a clear advantage over Sony or Fujifilm.

However, the company is particularly proud of its high speed, which is why the R6 Mark II is aimed primarily at sports and wildlife photographers. 40 frames per second with an electronic shutter is a real claim.

What’s more, the EOS R6 Mark II keeps up with everyone’s needs by shooting photos in RAW Burst mode with a half-second lead time even before the shutter button is fully pressed. RAW Burst mode shoots up to 191 images continuously at 30 frames per second.

Video capabilities: 4K/60 and 6K oversampling

As a hybrid DSLM camera, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II’s video capabilities don’t come up short either. The device records videos in 4K UHD resolution at 60 frames per second, while 6K recording is also offered via oversampling.

Even 6K RAW videos can be output via the (micro) HDMI output, which can be recorded in ProRes RAW with an Atomos Ninja V+ recorder. A pre-recording function is also available for video recording, allowing for three or five seconds of pre-recording. In this mode, the video is continuously streamed through the camera in standby mode.

Improved connectivity

Wirelessly, the R6 Mark II works with a variety of devices via Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi (5 GHz) for quick and easy connection to smartphones, for example. The camera can also be controlled remotely via the Camera Connect app and EOS Utility, and can be used with a PC, Mac or smartphone via WLAN or high-speed USB-C.

It’s also particularly easy to use as a webcam, and you can do so entirely without having to use any additional software. This plug-and-play capability is supported by industry-standard USB Video Class (UVC) and USB Audio Class (UAC) drivers.

Viewfinder, battery life and multifunction accessory shoe

Measuring 138.4 x 98.4 x 88.4 millimeters (width x height x depth) and weighing 588 grams for the case only, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II has grown minimally taller than its predecessor, but weighs about 10 grams less.

There is also a multifunctional accessory shoe, which allows you to use a flash or other external accessories, even without a cable and in most cases without its own power supply.

Canon integrates an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 3.69 million pixels and a frame rate of 120 frames per second and 0.76x magnification into the robust and weatherproof case. This is joined by a 3.0-inch Clear View LCD II display with 1.62 million pixels and a capacitive touchscreen.

The EOS R6 Mark II is compatible with the same LP-E6 batteries and battery grip as the EOS R6, but optimizations have improved battery life. When using the LC display, runtime is said to have improved by about 50 percent.

• More: Canon EOS R7 and EOS R10: First mirrorless APS-C cameras in the professional segment

Prices and Availability

The new Canon EOS R6 Mark II should still find its way into stores by the end of November 2022 and then gradually replace its direct predecessor, which is slowly disappearing from the market. Availability, on the other hand, is a completely different matter. The new APS-C models around the EOS R7 are still almost not available at any retailer, even about half a year after market launch.

The DSLM camera is offered either as a pure body or in two different kit variants. The body has a recommended retail price of 2,899.00 Euro, the EOS R6 kit with RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM has an MSRP of 3,259.00 Euro.

The second kit with faster zoom lens and constant aperture of f/4 (EOS R6 Kit with RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM) has an MSRP of 4,199.00 Euro. For more details, visit Canon’s product website.