In July 2020, Canon announced the launch of two new full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Canon EOS R6 and EOS R5. During that time, it was exciting times for Canon photographers when both new cameras were unveiled, “Born to Rule” was their theme and with the technical specifications and capabilities of both cameras, it wasn’t hard to see why. Prior to my Canon EOS R6 review, I had a short hands on session with the Canon EOS R5, EOS R6 and new RF lenses. While it was a short time with the new cameras and lenses, I was impressed by the capabilities of the Canon EOS R5 and R6 full-frame cameras, these two new cameras also show Canon’s commitment in the mirrorless camera market.
The opportunity came for me to do a review with the Canon EOS R6, let me share with you my insights, views, thoughts, photographs and videos shot with the Canon EOS R6 full-frame mirrorless camera.
Aesthetics
The Canon EOS R6 camera body is very similar to the Canon EOS RP, there is no top LCD panel, it’s also slightly bigger in width with dual card slots and bigger battery. It has a magnesium alloy body: Strong, sturdy, durable and solid feel, you would feel that it’s not too heavy and it would be easy to carry around.
The EOS R6 LCD touch screen is easy to use, it has an intuitive navigation menu that allows users to quickly navigate and change their settings.
Canon photographers rejoice! Our favourite joy stick is back! Although it’s easy to use the LCD screen for moving and controlling the auto-focus (AF) point, the joy stick gives us photographers another option when using the camera especially when we are looking through the viewfinder to photograph our subjects. Fast and accurate AF point movement on both LCD screen and viewfinder, making our photography easier and faster.
Dual card slots are back, another feature that photographers would like to have it (the earlier EOS R and EOS RP have single card slots) back on the EOS R series cameras. With two SD card slots, you can record them separately, this would be most welcomed by working professionals.
Powered by the LP-E6NH battery (you can still use the LP-E6 and LP-E6N batteries), providing more juice for your photography and videography. Just like the Canon EOS R, there is also a cover protecting the sensor when the EOS R6 is switched off.
Technology
Photography
One of the key features that I like about the Canon EOS R6 is the auto-focus (AF) capabilities. It’s powered by new DIGIC X and CMOS sensor inherited from Canon flagship professional DSLR EOS-1DX Mark III. AF speed is fast and accurate, up to 20 FPS. Animal detection AF is excellent in most cases. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II combined with the fast processing speed of the DIGIC X processor brought about big improvements in the EOS R6 AF capability.
The AF is responsive and fast when changing from viewfinder to LCD screen. Using the joystick allows easy movement of AF point/zone to the subject when looking through the viewfinder. The ISO is from 100 to 102,400, my personal tolerance level is around ISO 51,200 that I find it usable.
Eye tracking is fast and accurate, improved from Canon EOS R, making portraiture photography fast and ease of use to get the subject’s eyes sharp and accurate. The Animal detection AF is welcomed by wildlife photographers, the speed, accuracy and ease of usage.
AF – People / Animals / No priority
AF – Eye tracking / Spot AF / 1-point / Expand AF area / Expand AF area : around / Zone AF / Large Zone AF : Vertical / Large Zone AF : Horizontal
The Large Zone AF: Vertical and Large Zone AF: Horizontal are two interesting AF selections that can be chosen by the photographer. These two selections would be helpful in animal/wildlife photography.
Servo AF
Case 1 – Versatile multi purpose setting
Case 2 – Continue to track subjects, ignoring possible obstacles
Case 3 – Instantly focus on subjects suddenly entering AF points
Case 4 – For subjects that accelerate or decelerate quickly
Videography
In the modern world today, video has risen in prominence and significance with the rise of social media and internet usage. A modern digital camera is no longer just for photography, it now can produce excellent videos as well.
On the Canon EOS R6, it’s easy to navigate and use the movie recording function. You can shoot in different modes, from 4K to FHD that would be sufficient for most leisure and serious amateur users, and 4K might be enough for those shooting commercial videos/short films too. The video AF is fast, accurate and responsive, easy to use too.
4K 50p / 4K 25p / FHD 50p / FHD 25p Standard (IPB) / FHD 25p Light (IPB)
Video works shot with Canon EOS R6
Although I spent more time on photography with the Canon EOS R6, I did spent some time shooting videos with the new camera. Here are two videos that were shot by me, editing was handled by Isaac Ong, a fellow photographer. Isaac has been an enormous help to me, in the videography/filmmaking department, taking some workload off me.
Community Cats
For cat lovers, I reckon you would love this video, great captions and text by Isaac, who is a big cat lover too!
BBQ with Chef Keith
Chef Keith is a personal friend of mine, I had shot a number of times on his cooking, plating and . However, this is the first time that I am doing a video of his BBQ cooking and I was happy to capture it down inside this short video with the Canon EOS R6.
5-axis In-Body Image Stabiliser
There is the new 5-axis In-Body Image Stabiliser, coupled with Optical Image Stabiliser on the appropriate lens attached, this powerful function and features helps us photographers and videographers in our shoots that we sometimes don’t realise about the two features in action when using the Canon EOS R6.
From low light handheld photography to handheld videography work, the new 5-axis In-Body Image Stabiliser coupled with an appropriate Canon lens with Image Stabiliser are going to be a huge asset for the photographer and videographer using the Canon EOS R6.
Connectivity
The Canon EOS R6 has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity functions, allowing you to connect with your other smart devices such as your smartphone or tablet. Whether it’s for remote control shooting or file transfer, you can be assured of the seamless connectivity.
EOS R6 with RF lenses
During the time I had with the Canon EOS R6 camera for review, I had the opportunity to test out and review two RF lenses as well. They were the RF24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lenses.
The new generation of RF lenses are excellent with its optics, AF speed and the seamless integration with the EOS R camera series. There is also the RF15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens, with these three lenses, they are the new age holy trinity lenses that would be welcomed by most working/commercial photographers, as well as for the serious amateurs too.
I would share more of my insights, thoughts and views on the two Canon RF lenses in two separate review articles for them. Meanwhile, you can view photos shot with the Canon RF70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM in this Flickr photo album and the Canon RF24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM in the other Flickr photo album.
TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Explorer Series Production
Ever since I was exposed to the world of exploring, wanderlust and traveling from a young age, I have a strong passion for exploring and documenting my photographs and stories. This style might be old school stuff to the younger generation, it means something special to me.
I created special TGH Photography x Canon cameras explorer series whenever I have a Canon camera for review, giving rise to this particular TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Explorer Series Production. Here are my mini stories from the Canon EOS R6 Explorer Series Production.
Launch of TGH Photography Zine Vol 1. – SG55 Special Edition
Seiko SNA411P1 – A flight master watch for the explorer
Cute and Friendly Neighbourhood Cats!
Sudio Tolv Audio Photography Adventure
OtterBox and LifeProof protection for your Apple iPhone 12 series
Thoughts and views
- Equipped with 20.1MP, it’s suitable and able to handle most photography genres and usage
- Powered by new DIGIC X and CMOS sensor inherited from Canon flagship professional DSLR EOS-1DX Mark III.
- You can shoot up to 20 FPS
- A most welcome return for dual card slots and joy stick
- New 5-axis In-Body Image Stabiliser x Optical Image Stabiliser: powerful function and features helps us photographers in our shoots
- The expanding EOS R family + RF lenses lineup is ushering in a new era of photography – Born to Rule
- Animal / Wildlife photography rejoice – A much improved AF and Animal Detection AF (popular with wildlife photographers, EOS R6 with prime telephoto lens or RF100-500mm)
- AF on small wildlife (e.g. small birds) can be tricky at times, there were times whereby AF wasn’t accurate.
- You can shoot up to 4K 50p videos, sufficient for most leisure and serious amateur users, might be enough for those shooting commercial videos/short films too
- A powerful and fast mirrorless camera for professionals and serious amateurs. Similar to 6D Mark II technical specifications.
For current Canon photographers, it would be a familiar sight and feel for you. It’s easy to use and handle, from the camera body and to menu interface on the LCD screen. The Canon EOS R6 brings the best of both worlds together – Photography and Videography.
From Reimagine Optical Excellence (EOS R), to Reimagine Your Potential (EOS RP) and now Born to Rule (EOS R6 and EOS R5), the world of Canon EOS R cameras are getting more exciting with a full-frame mirrorless camera suitable for each and everyone of you, from the professionals to amateur/leisure photographers.
In my personal humble opinion, I would recommend Canon EOS R6 full-frame mirrorless camera for the following segments:
- Photographers (especially professionals and serious amateurs) who are moving over from DSLR setup to mirrorless setup
- Upgrading from entry level DSLRs or entry level mirrorless cameras
- Serious amateurs who love to explore and expand their photography further and wider
- Users whose emphasis is on photography first, videography second
Would this Canon EOS R6 be my next camera upgrade/change? Or would I go for the Canon EOS R5?
Although my current Canon cameras setup are the Canon EOS-1DX Mark II and EOS RP, there is a possibility that I might add either the EOS R6 or EOS R5 to my setup down the road, or I might wait out for future Canon EOS R series announcements before making a decision on my next upgrade/change.
As a current Canon EOS-1DX Mark II and Canon EOS RP user, the Canon EOS R6 is a very familiar camera to me, not just in the aesthetics and layout similar to the Canon EOS RP, that’s also the inherited capabilities and technical features from the Canon EOS-1DX series.
I would share my thoughts and views on both Canon EOS R5 and R6 in a separate article after my EOS R5 review article is published. Meanwhile, you can view more photographs shot with Canon EOS R6 here inside this Flickr photo album.
I would like to thank Canon Singapore for the opportunity to review the Canon EOS R6 full-frame mirrorless camera.