Two years after the presentation of the EOS R6 Canon announces the successor to the full-frame mirrorless camera. The R6 Mark II will be the first Mark II in this camera segment and will phase out its predecessor in the near future. As usual, when a new dash is appended to the camera’s name, the modernizations are more internal than external. The most striking thing is probably the “Photo/Movie” switch on the left shoulder, which then offers faster access to the required camera settings depending on the mode. The on/off switch that was there before moved to the right. The sealed plastic camera body with a magnesium alloy chassis remains largely unchanged, so for example the BG-R10 battery grip for the R6 (here in the test) could be reused. The LP-E6NH battery is also the same, but with an extended runtime.
Canon EOS R6 Mark II at high speed
The real innovations are inside. Canon has moderately increased the resolution from 20.1 to 24 megapixels. However, this should not have a negative effect on the image noise (still maximum ISO sensitivity 102,400), it should remain at the R6 level. Despite the increased amount of data, the Mark II is likely to become the fastest full-frame mirrorless with autofocus tracking: Thanks to the higher readout speed, Canon promises 40 frames per second with AF and exposure tracking – with the electronic shutter, of course, raw and JPEG data storage in parallel. The processor, which is already in the APS-C mirrorless, helps here EOS R7 is used and should produce less heat, which in turn will allow longer recording times. The Mark II maintains the 40 fps speed for 75 raws (also with parallel JPEGs), 180 HEIFs or 190 JPEGs in a row.
With the mechanical shutter (as from the R6), the serial image speed is reduced to a still impressive 12 fps, which allows 110 images in quick succession when recording Raw/JPEG, and over 1000 images with HEIF or just JPEG. With the electronic shutter “Raw Burst” is now possible: As in the EOS R7 The camera can record at a maximum of 30 fps in a ring memory up to 0.5 seconds before the actual shutter release – this helps when photographing “just missed” opportunities.
Autofocus of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II
The autofocus system also benefits from improvements. The AF algorithms were refined using deep learning, so that the R6 Mark II also recognizes horses and zebras, airplanes and (railway) trains. For vehicles, there is now a choice between total and spot detection. Furthermore, the photographer can choose between manual and automatic scene recognition and right or left eye for portraits. The sensitivity has remained at -6.5 light values, the tracking system comes from the top camera EOS R3 (here in the test). The sensor-based image stabilizer, which, combined with an IS lens in “Coordinated IS”, can compensate for up to eight light value levels, supports the recording of sharp images.
Canon made no changes to the electronic viewfinder and the rear display. Here it remains at 3.69 million pixels in the viewfinder and 1.62 million pixels on the fully pivoting monitor with a 7.5 cm diagonal. Canon also continues to rely on two SDXC card slots with UHS-II compatibility for data storage.
However, the EOS R6 Mark II offers something new in the menu navigation, where, for example, the dial function has been expanded to two lines or three favorite ISO values can be called up quickly. New functions, some of which are known from the APS-C innovations, include a panorama and swivel assistant, focus bracketing and focus stacking (in the camera), a digital teleconverter (2x and 4x) and the playback jump or deletion of longer image sequences . The extended HDR mode “Moving Subject” is interesting: Here there is a digital exposure compensation in the camera of a recording. However, the condition is that the frame rate is a maximum of nine frames/second and the sensitivity is at least ISO 800.
Video capabilities of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II
The cinematic capabilities of the new R6 have increased. If the old R6 still had 4K/60p with crop, the latter has now been eliminated and the image is created from an oversampling of a 6K recording. The length can be up to six hours, the 30-minute limit does not apply. With external video recording, 6K/60p Raw 10bit can be achieved via HDMI. The R6 Mark II allows three or five seconds of video pre-recording, as well as a “recognition only mode” with face recognition: the AF follows a person until they disappear from view, but then does not jump to any background – but on the next face that appears in the viewfinder. Also on board: HDR PQ and Canon Log 3. The latest RF lenses are required if digital focus breathing correction is used: the filmmaker has to accept a small crop factor here. Video conferences and the like are made easier by the UVC support, so that the camera can be used as a webcam via USB without special software. Your connectivity is enhanced with 2.4 and 5Ghz Wi-Fi, and there is FFP, FTPS and SFTP support.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II should go on sale at the end of November 2022, the housing price is just under 2900 euros. Also planned are kits with the RF 4/24-105 mm L IS USM (approx. 4200 euros) and the simpler RF 4-7.1/24-105 mm IS STM (approx. 3260 euros).
Accessories Speedlite EL-5 flash unit
As a successor to 600EX II RT Canon announces the Speedlite EL-5. This is a powerful flash unit with a guide number of 60 and the new multifunction base that fits into the hot shoe of newer generation cameras such as the EOS R7, R10, R3 or R6 II. The EL-5 is sealed from moisture and offers a zoom lens for focal lengths between 24 and 200 mm and a diffuser for up to 14 mm in wide angle.
Its reflector can be swiveled upwards and backwards by up to 120 degrees. It is operated directly or via the camera menu – or by radio remote control “RT”. Depending on the power output, the flash cycle times are 0.1 to 1.2 seconds, and it manages up to 90 in a row. The EL-5 draws power from the LiIon battery LP-EL known from the flagship Speedlite EL-1. Interested parties will probably have to wait until March before they can buy it for around 500 euros.