Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Camera With 4K Video

I wanted to share my experiences coming directly from a Canon EOS R to the Canon EOS R6. First off, the R is a capable full-frame camera that takes fantastic shots. The EOS R6 not only takes fantastic shots it does so more consistently than the EOS R did for me. This is likely due largely to the improved Digic X processor in the R6 versus the Digic 8 in the R.

This camera just nails focus. Focusing specifically on a person’s eye is remarkably impressive. Just as an example of how absurdly accurate the eye autofocus is: When I first got the camera I was testing it in my bedroom. I have a collage that has photo of me and my daughters in the center of it on one side of my bedroom as I sat against the opposite wall. The picture of me and my daughters within the collage is likely only 4×3 inches large. Zoomed to 105mm focal length and panning across the wall with that collage coming into frame, it automatically tracked focus on the eye of my daughter who was in the foreground. This camera had caught focus on eye in a small picture within a collage across the room. Racking focus between subjects or different objects is also really fast, too.
Additionally impressive is the viewfinder. The smoother refresh rate option is something that I appreciate immensely. It just makes tracking the framing that much easier, especially with quick movements. And I was slightly concerned about going from a 3.2 inch LCD screen on the R to the 3 inch LCD on the back of the R6, but after making the switch and even briefly comparing the two together this worry became a non-issue.

The body is a nice improvement. The build quality seems relatively the same; however the button placement on the R6 seems largely more intuitive than on the R. Don’t get me started on the Touch Bar on the EOS R. I REALLY wanted to like it, trying time after time after time to make it useful in my workflow, but it just wasn’t useful and occasionally a hindrance because of accidental touches. Having that replaced with the standard joystick and the different positions of the buttons is a welcome change. Also, having the scroll wheel instead of the direction pad on the back is a lot more intuitive, especially for those who are accustom to that of the 5D mk IV and other cameras with the scroll wheel.

Having uncropped (nearly) 4K video on the R6 versus the 1.7x crop for 4K on the R is a welcome change, although this doesn’t affect me as much since I do mostly still photography. However, when using the camera a little bit for video, this has been an appreciated difference.

Another appreciated difference is the faster shutter speed of the R6. Being able to take 12 shots per second (with the mechanical shutter) AND while nailing focus saved me a lot of headache when I shot at an event in the evening last weekend. I just couldn’t do that with the R prior. Being able to do 20fps in electronic mode is a nice feature, however for my personal use, I am not sure this will be used all that much.

Speaking of the evening event, the low light capability of this camera is exceptional. Truly. At said night event, I was shooting at ISO 8000-12800 at certain times and the images just came out fantastic. I had previously tried shooting with the R in a low light situation at ISO 6000 and it just didn’t do nearly as well. Images sometimes came out blurry or excessively grainy OR blurry AND excessively grainy to the point of nearly being unusable images. That was not something that I worried about with the R6. I set ISO, set aperture, set shutter speed and shot. Nailed focus, and just only had to pay attention to getting the composition right.

Also, having IBIS (in body image stabilization) is really wonderful and just adds extra security knowing I will get sharp images taken. It also opens up the ability to have non-stabilized lenses without worry of out-of-focus images taken. Using this body with the new “Nifty 50” (RF 50mm f1.8 STM) which doesn’t have IS has helped retain sharp images much more.

So it likely sounds like I am gushing over this camera. If it does, it is because I am. The R6 is an amazing camera. The price premium over the R is well worth it. I was originally concerned about going from 30MP to 20MP, but after using it for a little while, that worry has quickly dissipated.

As an enthusiastic photographer and occasional videographer, I was thrilled to get my hands on the Canon EOS R6. It’s safe to say that the camera has more than lived up to my expectations. From stunning image quality to robust video capabilities, the EOS R6 truly shines in every aspect. Here’s my extensive, and thoroughly positive, 5-star review.

🖼️ Full-Frame CMOS Sensor: Exceptional Image Quality 🎨🌌: The full-frame CMOS sensor delivers exceptional image quality. The level of detail and color accuracy it captures is simply superb, making each shot a visual delight. Low light performance is also excellent, reducing noise while maintaining clarity and detail.

🎥 4K Video: Immersive and High-Definition 🌃🎬: The 4K video capabilities of the R6 are equally impressive. Footage is sharp, vibrant, and smooth, even when shooting in challenging lighting conditions or capturing fast-moving subjects.

🔄 DIGIC X Image Processor: Fast and Reliable 🏎️💨: The DIGIC X image processor plays a key role in the camera’s impressive performance. It processes images swiftly and effectively, reducing lag time between shots and enhancing the camera’s overall responsiveness.

💾 Dual UHS-II SD Memory Card Slots: Convenient and Flexible 📂🔄: With two UHS-II SD memory card slots, the EOS R6 allows for flexible file management and backup options. It’s particularly useful for longer shoots or when you’re shooting both photos and video.

🏃‍♂️ Up to 12 fps with Mechanical Shutter: Capture Every Moment 🐆📷: The R6’s capability of shooting up to 12 frames per second with the mechanical shutter is a real game changer for action photography. It ensures you won’t miss that critical shot, whether you’re photographing fast-paced sports or wildlife.

However, there’s a small aspect that may not appeal to everyone:

💰 Price: Premium Investment 💼💲: The EOS R6 comes with a premium price tag, which might be a consideration for those on a tighter budget. However, for the functionality and quality it offers, I personally consider it a worthwhile investment for serious photographers and videographers.

All things considered, the Canon EOS R6 earns a well-deserved 5-star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. Despite the premium price tag, its superior image and video quality, speedy performance, convenient storage options, and impressive continuous shooting speed make it a standout option in the full-frame mirrorless camera market. Whether you’re a professional or an enthusiast, the EOS R6 is a tool that can elevate your visual storytelling to new heights.

Thank you for taking the time to read this review, and I wish you the best of luck on your search for the perfect camera. Here’s to capturing countless incredible moments! 🎉📸

I love my new R6, I upgraded from a cropped sensor camera to this beast. Not really intended for a beginner camera, the photo quality is great, and I bought this Item right from Amazon to make sure I got the warranty card. I did NOT want a grey market item! This camera will certainly help me elevate my wedding photographer even higher!

I have been shooting with Canon bodies for work since the mid-2000s and just can’t get out of the system because of how much I would need to replace. There was a really dark era where they wouldn’t jump onto mirrorless and it was a struggle seeing what rival were producing, but having made the transition to R bodies I’m glad I didn’t bail. The best part is the R6 is all I need for the foreseeable future. Canon gave pro shooters a huge gift when they released the R6II: it tanked the price of the R6. The way I see it, I can shoot any indoor shoot I need with these, and actually prefer the smaller MP to ease the impact of thousands of shots a month on my storage. I love that consumers leapt away from the R6 to the new shiny R6II, and you will too if you don’t fear the 20mp. Psychologically it’s weird to have a pixel count smaller than a 5D II from 15 years ago, but if you’re rational all you’ll get is a good deal on an insanely capable body.