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Canon EOS R6 Camera Review

Tested using Methodology v0.12
Reviewed Feb 10, 2021 at 09:24 am
Latest change: Writing modified Feb 22, 2023 at 01:50 pm
Canon EOS R6 Picture
7.7
Travel Photography
8.3
Landscape Photography
8.2
Sport & Wildlife Photography
6.7
Vlogging
8.0
Studio Video
5.5
Action Video
This camera was replaced by the Canon EOS R6 Mark II

The Canon EOS R6 is a full-frame mirrorless camera with a fully articulated screen. It's well-built and comfortable to use, though it can be a bit heavy with its kit lens attached. This versatile camera offers remarkable image quality and an impressive photo autofocus system that can track fast-moving subjects and keep them in focus. If you like to record videos, it also has great video quality in both 4k and FHD. However, it doesn't offer higher frame rate options for generating slow-motion video, which may be disappointing for some users.

Our Verdict

7.7 Travel Photography

The Canon R6 is good for travel photography. It has incredible image quality, and its impressive photo autofocus system helps track moving subjects and keep them in focus. Its low minimum shutter speed helps you take long-exposure photographs, too. However, though it's well-built and comfortable to use, it can be a bit heavy with its kit lens attached.

Pros
  • Fantastic image quality.
  • Impressive photo autofocus performance.
Cons
  • Not very portable with kits lens attached.
8.3 Landscape Photography

The Canon R6 is great for landscape photography. This well-built camera is comfortable to use, and its screen is bright enough to be readable even in direct sunlight. It also has incredible image quality, with fantastic dynamic range to capture more highlight and shadow detail in high-contrast landscapes.

Pros
  • Weather-sealed.
  • Fantastic image quality.
Cons
  • Not very portable with kits lens attached.
8.2 Sport & Wildlife Photography

The Canon R6 is great for sport and wildlife photography. It has a fantastic image quality, and its great autofocus system helps track fast-moving subjects and keep them in focus. If you like to take burst photography, it has a remarkable high continuous shooting speed of 18 frames per second in silent mode. Unfortunately, it takes a long time to clear its buffer, which can be inconvenient.

Pros
  • Fantastic image quality.
  • Impressive photo autofocus performance.
Cons
  • Long buffer empty time.
6.7 Vlogging

The Canon R6 is okay for vlogging. Thanks to its fully articulated screen, you're able to see yourself while you record. It has impressive 4k and FHD video quality, and it does a great job smoothing out camera shake if you record while walking or running. Unfortunately, it's a bit heavy with its kit lens attached, which can be a bit inconvenient. Shooting in 4k also incurs a very slight crop.

Pros
  • Impressive video quality in 4k and FHD.
  • Fully articulated screen.
Cons
  • Not very portable with kits lens attached.
  • Slight crop when shooting in 4k.
8.0 Studio Video

The Canon R6 is great for studio video. It records high-quality video in both 4k and FHD, and its autofocus system helps track moving subjects and keep them in focus in video. It also has a lot of inputs for accessories like headphones and a microphone. That said, shooting in 4k incurs a very slight crop.

Pros
  • Impressive video quality in 4k and FHD.
  • Lots of inputs for accessories.
Cons
  • Slight crop when shooting in 4k.
5.5 Action Video

The Canon R6 isn't designed for action video. With its kit lens, it's quite heavy and not very portable, and it can't really be strapped on a helmet. It doesn't support higher frame rates for slow-motion video of high-speed action. That said, it has impressive video quality in both 4k and FHD, and its video stabilization feature does a good job smoothing out camera shake if you record while moving.

Pros
  • Impressive video quality in 4k and FHD.
  • Weather-sealed.
Cons
  • Not very portable with kits lens attached.
  • Limited frame rate options for action video.
  • 7.7 Travel Photography
  • 8.3 Landscape Photography
  • 8.2 Sport & Wildlife Photography
  • 6.7 Vlogging
  • 8.0 Studio Video
  • 5.5 Action Video
  1. Updated Feb 22, 2023: Added a link to the Canon EOS R6 Mark II in the 'Viewfinder' box.
  2. Updated Dec 14, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.
  3. Updated Nov 21, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.11.
  4. Updated Oct 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.10.
  5. Updated Aug 16, 2022: After running into issues with RawTherapee during retesting for Test Bench 0.9, we decided to process the 'Photo RAW Dynamic Range' test scene in Lightroom instead. The test scene photo has been reuploaded.
  6. Updated Jul 29, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.9.
  7. Updated May 10, 2022: We reuploaded the images for 'Photo Sharpness' and 'JPEG Color Accuracy', as they were previously incorrect. The score hasn't changed.
  8. Updated Apr 22, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
  9. Updated Jan 12, 2022: Corrected input error with 4k frame rates.
  10. Updated Mar 08, 2021: Corrected the Max Aperture (Full Frame Equivalent) result.
  11. Updated Feb 10, 2021: Review published.
  12. Updated Feb 08, 2021: Early access published.

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Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Canon EOS R6 is available in 'Black'. We tested it with the RF24-105mm F4-7.1 is STM lens, and you can see the label for the model we tested here.

You can also purchase this camera with an RF 24-105mm F4 L is USM lens, or without a lens at all. However, we haven't the performance of these variants.

If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.

Compared To Other Cameras

Canon EOS R6 Mark II

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the mid-cycle refresh of the Canon EOS R6. While the Mark II does offer some notable improvements and quality-of-life upgrades, they're very similarly performing cameras overall. Some of the updates include a higher-resolution sensor with a faster readout speed, an updated autofocus system, and video quality-of-life upgrades like no recording time limits, no 4k crop, and better heat management. While these aren't game-changing updates, they are an improvement that might cinch the deal for you if you're trying to decide between these two cameras. That said, the original EOS R6 is still a fantastic camera, and the Mark II likely isn't worth the upgrade if you already own the older model.  

Canon EOS R8

The Canon EOS R6 is a bit better than the Canon EOS R8. It's a higher-end model with better build quality and a much longer battery life. Though it has a slightly lower resolution sensor, image quality is roughly on par. It also has in-body image stabilization. That said, the R8 is more portable and uses a newer version of Canon's autofocus system. 

Canon EOS R7

The Canon EOS R7 and the Canon EOS R6 perform similarly overall, but they use different-sized sensors. The R7 has an APS-C sensor, so it's a tad more portable. It also has a slightly longer battery life and a faster max burst rate. You'll also get a bit more focal reach thanks to the crop factor, so the R7 may be a better fit for wildlife and sports unless you need full-frame image quality and low-light capability. The R6, meanwhile, delivers better overall image quality and is better suited to low-light situations because of its full-frame sensor.

Sony α7 IV

The Sony α7 IV and the Canon EOS R6 are both excellent full-frame hybrid cameras aimed at enthusiasts. They're similar in size and build, though the Canon has slightly better ergonomics. Both deliver sharp, high-quality photos, but the Sony has a higher resolution sensor that gives you more leeway to crop your photos. On the other hand, the Canon's sensor has better noise handling at higher ISO settings. The Canon can also shoot RAW photos at up to 12 fps, while the Sony is limited to 6 fps in RAW. When it comes to video, both cameras can record 4k 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally for higher-quality video capture. However, the Sony doesn't impose a recording time limit, and it doesn't have issues with overheating the way the Canon sometimes does. While the Canon imposes a slight 1.07x crop on 4k video, the Sony doesn't, except when shooting 4k at 60 fps, which unfortunately incurs a significant 1.5x crop.

OM SYSTEM OM-1

The Canon EOS R6 is better overall than the OM SYSTEM OM-1, but they use different-sized sensors and fill different niches. The R6 is the way to go if you're after full-frame image quality and better autofocus performance, while the OM-1 is a more compact camera system, with more portable lenses and a relatively small, more rugged body.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
3.6
Design
Portability
Height
3.9" (10.0 cm)
Width
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Depth
3.5" (8.8 cm)
Volume
74.1 in³ (1,214.4 cm³)
Weight
1.52 lbs (0.69 kg)
8.0
Design
Build Quality

  • Magnesium alloy and plastic body
  • Buttons and command wheels offer good physical feedback
  • Screen can rotate to be seen from the front
  • SD card and battery covered by hinged door
  • Screen mechanism feels sturdy
  • No hot shoe protection cover
  • Rubber flaps cover output connections

Design
Body
Body Type
SLR-Style
Water Resistance
Weather-Sealed
Mirrorless
Yes
Rugged
No
Hot Shoe
Yes
Customizable Button
Yes
Command Dial
3
Tripod Mount
Yes
Lens Mount
RF Mount
Built-In Flash
No
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/8,000 s
Design
In The Box

  • Canon EOS R6 camera body
  • Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM lens
  • Lens cap and lens cover
  • Instruction manual
  • Shoulder strap
  • Battery charger
  • Battery
  • Sensor cap

9.5
Design
Ergonomics & Comfort
Hand Grip: Small Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Medium Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Large Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Extra-Large Hand
Yes

  • Textured handgrip is grippy and big enough for most hand sizes
  • Rubber pad on the viewfinder for improved comfort compared to the Canon EOS R
  • All frequently-used functions available in the Quick Menu on the screen
  • Easy to adjust aperture and shutter speed while looking through the viewfinder

Design
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
Advertised Coverage
100%
Advertised Resolution
2.36 million dots
Advertised Magnification
0.76

If you're looking for something with a higher-resolution EVF, check out the Canon EOS R6 Mark II.

9.1
Design
Screen
Screen Articulation Type
Fully-Articulated
Screen Max Brightness
563 cd/m²
Advertised Resolution
1.62 million dots
Size
3.0" (7.7 cm)
Touchscreen
Yes
9.0
Design
Menu System
Guide Mode
Yes
App Name
Canon Camera Connect

  • Touch screen functionality makes it easy to navigate the menu
  • Guide Mode can offer more information about settings and functions
  • Autofocus menu is separate from the general shooting menu

not tested
Design
Built-In Lens
Maximum Aperture
No built-in lens
Max Aperture (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Minimum Focal Length
N/A
Maximum Focal Length
N/A
Max Focal Length (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Optical Image Stabilization
No
Luminance
N/A
Light Falloff
N/A
Design
Sensor
Sensor Type
CMOS
Advertised Effective Pixels
20.1 MP
Sensor Size
Full Frame
Processor
Digic X
Extended ISO Minimum
50
Native ISO Minimum (Base ISO)
100
Native ISO Maximum
102,400
Tested Firmware
Ver. 1.5.2
6.3
Design
Battery
Battery Type
Canon LP-E6NH
USB Charging
Yes
Use When Charging
No
Advertised Battery Life In Photo
N/A
Tested Battery Life In Video
96 min
Photo General
7.2
Photo General
Photo Shooting Speed
Low Speed Continuous
3 fps
High Speed Continuous
11 fps
Silent Shooting Continuous
18 fps
Raw Buffer Size
255 Photos
JPEG Buffer Size
10,000 Photos
Buffer Empty Time
18 s
8.7
Photo General
Photo AF-C Tracking
Autofocus Tracking Shots
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
77%
Usable Focus Hit Rate
97%
9.7
Photo General
Photo AF-C Center Point
Autofocus Center Point Shots
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
96%
Usable Focus Hit Rate
100%
8.3
Photo General
Photo Image Stabilization
Minimum Shutter Speed Achieved
1/8 s
In-Body Image Stabilization
Yes
Photo Image Quality
9.1
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Dynamic Range
Dynamic Range At Base ISO
11.5 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/500s Exposure Time
9.8 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/2000s Exposure Time
8.0 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/4000s Exposure Time
7.4 f-stops
7.9
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Sharpness
Vertical Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
1,781 LW/PH
Horizontal Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
1,739 LW/PH
8.9
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Noise
SNR 18% At 1/8 Exposure Time (125 ms)
34.3dB
SNR 18% At 1/125 Exposure Time (8 ms)
29.7 dB
SNR 18% At 1/1000 Exposure Time (1 ms)
21.8dB
SNR 18% At 1/4000 Exposure Time (0.25 ms)
16.6dB
Pictures Sample Gallery
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Skate Park Picture
JPEG Skate Park Picture Download
RAW Skate Park Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Polish Church Picture
JPEG Polish Church Picture Download
RAW Polish Church Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Studio Picture
JPEG Studio Picture Download
RAW Studio Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Stairway Picture
JPEG Stairway Picture Download
RAW Stairway Picture Download
Video General
Video General
Video Features
Full HD Video
Yes
4k Video
Yes
6k Video
No
Clean HDMI Output
Yes
Advertised Max Chroma Sampling Over HDMI
Not Advertised
Advertised Max Bit Depth Over HDMI
N/A
Log Picture Profile
Yes
Recording Light
No
Video General
Audio
Audio Test Sample
Audio Recording
Stereo
Microphone Level Display
Yes
Video General
Video File Format And Compression
MP4 H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
Yes
MP4 H.265 / HEVC
Yes
MOV H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
MOV H.265 / HEVC
No
AVCHD H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
All-I Compression
Yes
4k Video
6.9
4k Video
4k Video Frame Rate
240 fps In 4k
No
120 fps In 4k
No
60 fps In 4k
Yes, with a Crop
30 fps In 4k
Yes, with a Crop
24 fps In 4k
Yes, with a Crop
4k Crop At Max Available fps
1.07 x

Update 01/12/2022: Corrected input error that showed 'Yes' instead of 'Yes, with a Crop'. The score has been updated accordingly.

7.8
4k Video
4k Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In 4k
240 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In 4k
120 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In 4k
4:2:2
Bit Depth In 4k
10 Bit
Record Time Limit In 4k
30 min
Overheat Recording Interruptions in 4k
4
9.0
4k Video
4k Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In 4k
8.3
Face Tracking In 4k
9.4
Face Detection In 4k
Yes
Eye Detection In 4k
Yes
8.5
4k Video
4k Video Quality
Low Light Capability In 4k
8.0
Test Scene Extract In 4k
8.9
4.9
4k Video
4k Video Rolling Shutter Effect
4k Rolling Shutter
8.3°
Full HD Video
9.5
Full HD Video
FHD Video Frame Rate
240 fps In FHD
No
120 fps In FHD
Yes
60 fps In FHD
Yes
30 fps In FHD
Yes
24 fps In FHD
Yes
FHD Crop At Max Available fps
1 x
9.2
Full HD Video
FHD Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In FHD
90 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In FHD
30 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In FHD
4:2:2
Bit Depth In FHD
10 Bit
Record Time Limit in FHD
30 min
8.9
Full HD Video
FHD Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In FHD
8.3
Face Tracking In FHD
9.1
Face Detection In FHD
Yes
Eye Detection In FHD
Yes
8.0
Full HD Video
FHD Video Quality
Low Light Capability In FHD
8.0
Test Scene Extract In FHD
8.0
8.0
Full HD Video
FHD Video Rolling Shutter Effect
FHD Rolling Shutter
2.3°
Storage And Connectivity
Storage And Connectivity
Storage
Card 1 Slot
SD Card UHS-II
Card 2 Slot
SD Card UHS-II
9.5
Storage And Connectivity
Inputs / Outputs
USB
USB-C
HDMI
Micro (Type D)
Headphones
Yes
Microphone
Stereo
Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes