The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a full-frame DSLR camera that was released in 2017 as a successor to the original Canon EOS 6D.
It is designed to cater to photography enthusiasts and professionals who require a high-quality camera with advanced features and capabilities.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II boasts a 26.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, a DIGIC 7 image processor, and an advanced autofocus system, among other features.
With its lightweight and durable body, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a versatile and reliable camera that is suitable for a wide range of photography genres, including landscape, portrait, and travel photography.
In this review, we will take an in-depth look at the Canon EOS 6D Mark II, evaluating its design, performance, image quality, and other key features to help you determine whether it is the right camera for your needs.
Design and Build Quality:
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II features a lightweight yet durable body that is made of magnesium alloy and is weather-sealed against dust and moisture.
The camera has a comfortable grip and ergonomic design, making it easy to handle for extended periods of time.
It weighs approximately 765g (including battery and memory card), which is relatively light for a full-frame DSLR.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II has a vari-angle LCD touchscreen that measures 3.0 inches and has a resolution of 1.04 million dots.
The touchscreen can be used to adjust settings, preview images, and navigate menus, and it is also responsive and easy to use.
The camera features a top-mounted LCD screen that displays important shooting information such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and battery life.
The buttons and dials on the Canon EOS 6D Mark II are well-placed and easy to access, and the camera also has a dedicated AF-ON button that allows you to activate autofocus without pressing the shutter button.
Overall, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II has a well-designed and sturdy body that is comfortable to use and offers a range of advanced features and functions. Its weather-sealing also makes it suitable for shooting in challenging conditions, such as rain or dust.
Image Quality:
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II features a 26.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 7 image processor, which work together to deliver high-quality images with excellent detail and clarity.
The camera’s sensor is designed to reduce noise and provide a wide dynamic range, which makes it suitable for shooting in a variety of lighting conditions.
The camera has an ISO range of 100-40,000, which can be expanded up to 102,400 for shooting in low-light conditions.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II also features a noise reduction system that helps to minimize graininess and maintain detail in images shot at high ISOs.
The camera has a 45-point all-cross type autofocus system that allows for precise focusing and tracking of moving subjects.
The autofocus system works well in a range of lighting conditions, and the camera also features a Dual Pixel CMOS AF system that provides smooth and accurate autofocus during live view and video recording.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II has a range of shooting modes, including a Scene Intelligent Auto mode that analyses the scene and selects the optimal settings for the shot, as well as a range of creative shooting modes for more advanced users.
Overall, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II offers excellent image quality with high resolution and low noise levels, making it suitable for a wide range of photography genres.
The camera’s autofocus system is also precise and reliable, which is essential for capturing sharp images of moving subjects.
Autofocus and Performance:
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II features a 45-point all-cross type autofocus system, which provides fast and accurate focusing for both stills and video.
The autofocus system covers a wide area of the frame, which makes it suitable for shooting a range of subjects, including moving objects.
The camera also features a Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which provides smooth and accurate autofocus during live view and video recording.
The Dual Pixel AF system uses phase detection autofocus technology, which allows for fast and precise focusing, even in low-light conditions.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II has a continuous shooting speed of up to 6.5 frames per second, which is fast enough to capture action and sports photography.
The camera also has a buffer that can handle up to 21 RAW or unlimited JPEG images, which makes it suitable for shooting in burst mode.
In terms of performance, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a reliable and versatile camera that is suitable for a wide range of photography genres.
Its autofocus system is precise and fast, which allows for accurate focusing and tracking of moving subjects. The camera’s high-speed continuous shooting mode and buffer capacity also make it suitable for shooting action and sports photography.
Overall, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II offers excellent performance and autofocus capabilities, which make it a great choice for photographers who require a reliable and versatile camera that can handle a range of shooting scenarios.
Video and Connectivity:
Video:
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II can shoot Full HD 1080p video at up to 60 frames per second. The camera also has a 4K time-lapse movie mode, which allows you to create time-lapse videos in 4K resolution.
The camera features a Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which provides smooth and accurate autofocus during live view and video recording. The camera also has a manual focus peaking feature, which highlights the areas in focus during manual focusing.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II also has a built-in microphone, as well as a 3.5mm microphone jack for external microphones. The camera also has a headphone jack, which allows you to monitor audio while recording.
Connectivity:
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II has built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to easily transfer photos and videos to your smartphone, tablet, or computer. The camera also has a built-in GPS, which allows you to geotag your photos and videos.
The camera also has a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI output, and a remote control port. The USB port allows you to transfer photos and videos to your computer, while the HDMI output allows you to display your photos and videos on a larger screen.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II also supports Canon’s Camera Connect app, which allows you to remotely control the camera from your smartphone or tablet. The app also allows you to transfer photos and videos wirelessly to your mobile device.
Overall, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II offers a range of video and connectivity features that make it a versatile and convenient camera for photographers who require both high-quality stills and video capabilities, as well as the ability to easily transfer and share their work.
User Interface and Controls:
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for novice users. The camera features a 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD display, which allows you to quickly and easily change settings and review your photos and videos.
The camera also has a range of physical controls, including a mode dial, a dedicated ISO button, and a joystick for selecting autofocus points.
The camera’s control layout is intuitive and well-designed, which makes it easy to adjust settings on the fly.
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II also has a range of customizability options, including the ability to assign functions to the camera’s buttons and dials. This allows you to customize the camera’s controls to suit your shooting style and preferences.
The camera also has a built-in electronic level, which makes it easy to keep your shots level and avoid tilted horizons. Additionally, the camera’s viewfinder provides 98% coverage of the frame, which allows you to accurately compose your shots.
Overall, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II offers a well-designed and user-friendly interface, as well as a range of physical controls and customization options. The camera’s electronic level and viewfinder coverage also make it easy to accurately compose your shots.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
– Excellent image quality with a 26.2 megapixel full-frame sensor and DIGIC 7 image processor
– Dual Pixel CMOS AF system provides fast and accurate autofocus during live view and video recording
– Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth connectivity for easy transfer and sharing of photos and videos
– Vari-angle touchscreen LCD display and intuitive control layout make it easy to adjust settings on the fly
– Long battery life of approximately 1200 shots per charge
– Built-in intervalometer for capturing time-lapse sequences directly to the memory card
– Good low light performance with a maximum ISO of 40,000
– In-body image stabilization (IBIS) for up to 5 stops of shake reduction with compatible lenses
Cons:
– Limited dynamic range compared to some other full-frame cameras on the market
– Autofocus system has fewer AF points and less coverage than some other cameras in its class
– Only one SD card slot, which may be a limitation for some photographers
– Video capabilities are limited to Full HD 1080p and lack features such as 4K recording and a headphone jack for audio monitoring
– Body is not weather-sealed, which may be a concern for outdoor shooting in inclement weather
Conclusion:
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a solid full-frame DSLR camera that offers excellent image quality and fast autofocus performance, making it a great choice for a variety of photography applications.
Its vari-angle touchscreen LCD display and intuitive control layout make it easy to use, while its long battery life and built-in intervalometer are additional convenient features.
However, the camera’s limited dynamic range and autofocus coverage, as well as its lack of advanced video capabilities, may make it less suitable for certain types of photography and videography.
Overall, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a reliable and versatile camera that is worth considering for photographers looking for a capable full-frame DSLR.