The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is a full-frame mirrorless camera and the follow-up to 2020's Canon EOS R6. The Mark II has a few notable upgrades, including a higher-resolution sensor and EVF, along with an updated autofocus system with better tracking and subject-detection algorithms. Canon also addressed some of the minor drawbacks of the original R6 for advanced video work, as there's no longer a recording time limit, no crop in 4k, and better heat management to prevent overheating during long recording sessions. While these changes may not be enough to warrant an upgrade if you already own the R6, they're thoughtful improvements that make an already amazing camera even better.
The Canon R6 II is good for travel if you don't mind a bulkier kit. Image quality is fantastic, and the camera has a well-built, weather-sealed body to give you some peace of mind while shooting outdoors, not to mention superb ergonomics. On top of that, it has in-body image stabilization, which can help reduce camera shake and let you get clearer shots at slower shutter speeds. Its battery life is also excellent for a mirrorless camera.
The Canon R6 Mark II is great for landscape photography. Its high-resolution full-frame sensor is ideal for capturing detailed photos with plenty of dynamic range in high-contrast landscapes. It also does an excellent job of keeping noise to a minimum in low light. Aside from its image quality, it's also a very well-built camera with excellent ergonomics. Though its screen isn't the brightest or sharpest, it has a relatively high-resolution EVF. That said, it's a heavy camera, and full-frame lenses can add some bulk, so it isn't the most convenient to take on long hikes or shooting sessions.
The Canon R6 Mark II is great for taking photos of faster subjects, including sports and wildlife. It has a quick max burst rate and a deep buffer, though it's slow to empty if you manage to fill it up. The camera also has an incredibly effective autofocus system with reliable subject-detection modes for people, animals, and even vehicles. Image quality is generally fantastic, and it performs well even in low light. Plus, it's weather-sealed and feels great in the hand, with well-placed and customizable controls.
The Canon R6 Mark II has excellent RAW photo performance. It does a great job of managing noise levels in dimmer lighting conditions. Images also look sharp and detailed thanks to its high-resolution sensor. Its dynamic range is also fantastic, allowing you to capture high-contrast scenes with a greater level of detail preservation in the highlights and shadows.
The Canon R6 Mark II can be good for vlogging, depending on the type of vlog you want to create, though it's also likely overkill for most vloggers and content creators. Video quality is excellent, with oversampled 4k video at up to 60 fps, along with high frame rate recording in 1080p for slow-motion flourishes. The fully articulated screen lets you monitor yourself more easily. The camera also has near-flawless autofocus tracking, including video-specific settings that prevent it from hunting for new subjects if the tracked subject leaves the frame. That said, this isn't the camera to reach for if you want something portable and lightweight for walk-and-talk vlogs.
The Canon R6 Mark II is fantastic for studio video. It can record oversampled 4k video at up to 60 fps without a crop, and video quality is impressive. It also supports 10-bit 4:2:2 internally to preserve a wider range of color information, and it can output 6k RAW video to a compatible external recorder. You also get dual SD card slots and a full set of inputs for peripherals like a mic and headphones. It also has no recording time limit and great heat management to help prevent overheating.
The Canon R6 II isn't designed for POV-style action video, but it's a good choice if you want to film sports or action from the sidelines. Video quality is great, and it can shoot 4k / 60 fps video without a crop. That said, 120 fps recording is limited to 1080p without sound, which isn't bad, but frame rate options are still limited compared to a dedicated action camera. It's also on the bulkier side. Though it's well-built and weather-sealed, it isn't waterproof.
The Canon R6 Mark II comes in one color variant: 'Black'. You can see our unit's label here.
You can buy the camera body on its own without a lens or bundled with either the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM kit lens or the more premium Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens.
Let us know if you come across any other variants, and we'll update our review.
The Canon R6 Mark II is a notable step up from its predecessor, the Canon EOS R6, which is itself a fantastic enthusiast-level hybrid camera. With a new 24-megapixel sensor, it now matches up to other enthusiast cameras in its class for resolution. It also sets itself apart from other models with 40 fps e-shutter burst shooting and uncropped 4k / 60 fps video recording, not to mention internal 10-bit 4:2:2 recording capability and 6k RAW video output over HDMI with a compatible external recorder.
If you're looking for other options, check out our recommendations for the best mirrorless cameras, the best cameras for photography, and the best 4k cameras.
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.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is better overall than the Canon EOS R8, but they sit at different price points. Though they use the same sensor, the R6 Mark II has more to offer, with external RAW video output, a higher-resolution EVF, and in-body image stabilization. It's also weather-sealed, has a mechanical shutter option, and offers more physical controls and dials, along with dual SD card slots and a much better battery life.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II and the Canon EOS R7 are great cameras but use different-sized sensors. The R6 Mark II uses a full-frame sensor, so it's better suited to low-light shooting than the R7, which uses an APS-C sensor. Both cameras have excellent autofocus performance and boast advanced video specs and quick burst rates, but the R6 II is the way to go if you need full-frame image quality.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is better overall than the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, but they're both fantastic cameras suitable for professional use. The R6 Mark II is a newer mirrorless camera with a more sophisticated autofocus system and faster burst rate, making it a better choice for sports and action photography. It also has better noise handling for low-light situations. That being said, the 5D Mark IV has a more established lineup of native lens options that you can use without an adapter, including more affordable options. It's also a bit more tank-like in build, so it can withstand more extensive use. Plus, it's a DSLR, so it has a longer battery life, and you don't have to worry about lag or eye strain with its optical viewfinder.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is better than the Sony α7 III. It has better ergonomics, weather-sealing, more effective IBIS and autofocus, and better video specs, making it more well-rounded for hybrid shooters. That said, the Sony camera has a more established lens ecosystem and captures similarly high image quality.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II and the Sony α7 IV are very evenly matched enthusiast cameras. The Sony has a higher-resolution sensor, but the Canon performs a little better in low light. Both can handle advanced video work, with internal 10-bit 4k at up to 60 fps, though the Sony imposes a significant crop on 4k / 60 fps video. The Canon also has a faster burst rate when shooting in uncompressed RAW. Ultimately, if you're choosing between these, the decision will come down to personal preference, ergonomic preferences, and lens selection.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is better overall than the Canon EOS RP, but the RP is still a good option if you want a more portable and more affordable full-frame camera. The RP can still take excellent photos, and both cameras use the same lens mount, but the R6 Mark II is a more capable camera body, with a better build quality, a higher-resolution EVF, in-body image stabilization, and more advanced video features, including more frame rate options and better internal recording specs.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is better than the Canon EOS 6D Mark II. The 6D Mark II is a DSLR, so it does have a better battery life and an optical viewfinder, but the newer mirrorless R6 Mark II has more advantages. That includes a more effective autofocus system, a more portable body, in-body image stabilization, and better video features.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is better overall than the Nikon Z f. The Canon has better video features, with slightly better internal and external video recording capabilities and uncropped 4k recording at 60 fps. It also has a longer battery life and slightly more effective autofocus. However, the Nikon offers a unique retro-style design that may appeal to some users more.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II and the Nikon Z 6III are both well-rounded full-frame mirrorless cameras, but the Nikon outpaces the Canon in a few areas. It has slightly better video specs, less rolling shutter, a higher-resolution EVF, and faster mechanical burst shooting. It's hard to go wrong with either of these cameras, but if you're looking for the best in the class, go with the Nikon.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II and the Fujifilm X-H2S are amazing hybrid cameras but use different sensors. The Fujifilm uses an APS-C sensor, so it doesn't have as much dynamic range as the Canon's full-frame sensor, which is also better suited to low-light shooting. Both cameras suit action photography well, with effective autofocus systems and quick e-shutter burst shooting. However, the Fujifilm's sensor has a stacked design that keeps rolling shutter distortion to a minimum. Both cameras have fantastic internal video recording capability, but the Fujifilm can record 6.2k video and has internal Apple ProRes support.
The Canon R6 Mark II has the same dimensions as the Canon EOS R6. While it's more portable than most full-frame DSLRs, it's still a heavy camera, so it isn't the most convenient option to carry around during long days on the go. If you'd prefer a more portable full-frame camera, consider the Canon EOS R8, which uses the same sensor as the R6 II.
Build quality is great and comparable to the original Canon EOS R6. It's made mostly of plastic and magnesium alloy. The buttons and dials offer good physical feedback and feel sturdy, as does the screen swivel mechanism. It's also weather-sealed for a bit of added peace of mind in adverse weather conditions, with locking hinged doors covering your card slot and battery compartments.
There are a couple of design changes on this model compared to its predecessor. For one, there's now a dedicated photo/video mode toggle, and the On/Off switch has been moved and redesigned. The 'Lock' function is now between the 'On' and 'Off' settings. Canon also redesigned the joystick on the back of the camera; you can see the original R6 controller here and the R6 Mark II here. Finally, the hot shoe has been upgraded to what Canon calls a 'multi-function shoe', which includes a 21-pin electronic interface that's supposed to offer more functionality with certain accessories.
The camera has fantastic ergonomics. It feels great in the hand and is suitable for most hand sizes. All in all, the controls are well-placed, with all key buttons and dials within easy reach of your fingers. You can also customize many of the buttons and dials to suit your preferences. The textured grip and thumb rest on the back are both comfortable and sufficiently grippy. The shutter button offers slightly more resistance when half-pressing than the original Canon EOS R6, though the difference is subtle.
The EVF has been upgraded to an increasingly common 3.69 million dot resolution, which is great and a step up from the Canon EOS R6's 2.36 million dots. The image looks nice and sharp through the viewfinder, and the rubber eyecup is comfortable.
The screen is about the same size as its predecessor's, with a high resolution and decent brightness. It's fully articulated, which is good for video work, and it has full touch navigation.
The menu system is excellent and intuitively organized, just like older Canon cameras. The options are extensive but not overwhelming, and there are plenty of customization options to tailor the settings exactly to your liking. Pressing the 'Info' button when available brings up the 'Help' function, which provides detailed explanations of some of the more complicated features and settings.
The Canon R6 Mark II uses a new, slightly higher-resolution sensor compared to its predecessor, as well as a more efficient processor, which accounts for its longer battery life and improved heat management when recording video.
The Canon R6 Mark II has a fantastic battery life for photos, though the camera doesn't support use while charging. It's CIPA-rated for 580 shots when shooting with the screen, which is excellent for a mirrorless camera. That said, it's only rated for 320 shots when shooting through the EVF. You can bump that up to 760 and 450 shots, respectively, if you use the camera's power-saving mode. Ultimately, CIPA ratings tend to fall on the conservative side, and your real-world mileage will also vary depending on how you use your camera, so take these numbers with a grain of salt.
Video battery life is fairly typical at about an hour and a half of continuous 4k video recording. Unlike the Canon EOS R6, we didn't experience any overheat interruptions during our testing, so heat management has improved, as well. If you need to extend the camera's battery life, you can use a USB power delivery adapter or charger. Canon sells its own PD-E1 adapter, but any adapter of at least 30W should work.
The Canon EOS R6 II has a quick max burst rate for sports and action photography. With its electronic shutter, it can fire off bursts of almost 40 fps, with continuous autofocus, which is fantastic. It's worth noting, however, that shooting with the e-shutter has more risk of introducing rolling shutter artifacts. While the mechanical shutter isn't nearly as fast, it's still very quick for most needs. The camera's image buffer is also very deep, although the larger files from the higher-resolution sensor mean the buffer fills up a lot more quickly when shooting RAW files than the Canon EOS R6 does. If you do manage to reach buffer capacity, it's quite slow to empty, but given the size of the buffer, it shouldn't be an issue in most cases.
The Canon R6 Mark II has fantastic autofocus. It essentially borrows its autofocus system from the pro-grade powerhouse that is the Canon EOS R3, and it supports face, eye, animal, and vehicle subject detection. There are plenty of different area modes and settings that let you fine-tune how the AF performs. All in all, the AF tracking is excellent. It does an amazing job of detecting and keeping moving subjects in focus, even in busier settings or with more erratic movement. If you just want to point your camera at a subject and let the camera do its thing, you're likely to have a high keeper rate.
When using the center point, autofocusing is quick and accurate, especially when using a lens with a quick focusing motor. You're unlikely to miss many shots in scenarios with more predictably moving subjects.
The Canon R6 Mark II includes in-body image stabilization, which is rated for up to 8 stops of stabilization. In conjunction with an optically stabilized lens, like the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM we used for this test, it does a great job. You can get clear handheld shots at very slow shutter speeds. That said, stabilization performance will vary depending on many factors, including your lens, focal length, and even how steady your hands are.
The camera's dynamic range is fantastic. It captures a very wide range of shadow and highlight detail and maintains a high level of dynamic range even at higher ISOs in dimmer lighting conditions.
With a new higher-resolution sensor, the Canon R6 Mark II is noticeably better at resolving fine detail than its predecessor and on par with other full-frame 24MP cameras. That said, this is something that you'll mostly only notice when punching in or cropping heavily.
The camera's noise handling is great. It's well-suited to low-light shooting, as it keeps noise levels to a minimum even with less available light.
The Canon R6 Mark II records oversampled 4k video. With a compatible Atomos external recorder, it can also capture 6k RAW video from the full width of the sensor, though it can't record RAW video internally, like the Nikon Z 6III. If you want to preserve a wider range of detail in your videos, it supports Log recording with C-Log 3. If you'd like a camera that can record 6k video internally, check out the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II or the Fujifilm X-H2S.
Unlike the Canon EOS R6, the Mark II now records uncropped 4k video, even at 60 fps. In that sense, it has a leg up on competitors like the Sony α7 IV, which imposes a Super 35/APS-C crop when shooting in 4k at 60 fps. If you want a full-frame camera that can record 4k at 120 fps, albeit with a crop, check out the Nikon Z 6III.
Internal recording capability is fantastic. Canon removed the 30-minute time limit that you get with the Canon EOS R6, which is good news if you need to record long, uninterrupted takes. Heat management has also improved, so the Mark II is a lot less likely to overheat. There's a better indicator system for overheating, with a 10-level indicator that provides a heat scale to show you exactly how close the camera is to overheating. Beyond that, it can record 10-bit 4:2:2 color internally, giving you more leeway to edit and color grade.
Also worth mentioning: if you use an SDHC memory card, as opposed to an SDXC card, the camera will split your recording into multiple files of 4GB each. With SDXC cards, you'll get one long video file.
Autofocus performs incredibly well in 4k video. It's smooth, sticky, and reliable, so you can rest assured that your chosen subject will stay in focus even if they move around the frame. There are also settings to help fine-tune its performance. For instance, you can set it to either stay with the initial target no matter what, or to change subjects if, say, your initial subject leaves the frame.
There's also an 'AF for close-up demos' focus mode that's available when using the camera for livestreaming or as a webcam via USB. Similar to the 'Product Showcase' feature found on Sony vlogging cameras like the Sony ZV-E10, it quickly switches focus to an object held up close in the frame. You can see that in action here.
4k video quality is amazing. The oversampled 4k looks incredible with adequate lighting, with sharply rendered details and color. Low-light video quality is also great, about on par with its predecessor. Noise is inevitable with less light, but generally speaking, you'll get very high-quality videos out of this camera, with plenty of dynamic range.
The sensor has an improved readout speed compared to the Canon EOS R6, so there's a noticeable improvement in rolling shutter. There's still some skewing with quick pans and faster camera movements, but it's a lot less noticeable overall. Still, if you're looking for a camera with less rolling shutter effect, consider the Nikon Z 6III, which has a partially stacked sensor that gives it an advantage here.
The camera can record at up to 120 fps in 1080p, which is great for slow-motion video, though it can only record at 120 fps in its dedicated slow-motion mode, which doesn't record any sound.
The camera's internal recording capability is just as good in 1080p, with internal 10-bit 4:2:2 capture. Bit rates are quite high, and there's no recording time limit.
The autofocus performs just as well in 1080p. The tracking is very quick and very accurate—you're unlikely to lose focus regardless of what subject you're recording.
Rolling shutter effect is much less pronounced in 1080p. There's still some slight distortion when panning the camera very quickly, but it's minimal.
You have all your standard inputs and outputs on the camera's left side. However, unlike the Sony α7 IV, it uses a Micro HDMI port rather than a full-sized HDMI, which can be a bit of a hassle, as you'll likely need an adapter. Still, connectivity options are good, and the rubber flaps feel sturdy.