Canon 6D Mark II vs Canon 6D: These two full-frame DSLRs have captured the hearts of photographers seeking exceptional image quality and versatility. The Canon 6D, released in 2012, paved the way for affordable full-frame photography, while its successor, the Canon 6D Mark II, arrived in 2017, boasting significant improvements in autofocus, video capabilities, and low-light performance.
This comprehensive comparison delves into the key features, performance, and overall value of these two popular cameras, helping you determine which one aligns best with your photographic aspirations.
The Canon 6D, a pioneer in its time, offered a full-frame sensor at a price point that made it accessible to a wider audience. Its strengths lie in its compact size, lightweight design, and impressive image quality. The Canon 6D Mark II, on the other hand, represents a significant leap forward, featuring a refined autofocus system, enhanced video recording capabilities, and improved low-light performance.
It caters to photographers who demand more versatility and responsiveness in their camera.
Introduction
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II and Canon EOS 6D are full-frame DSLR cameras designed for photographers seeking high image quality and versatility. They cater to different segments of the photography market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The Canon EOS 6D Mark II, released in 2017, is a more advanced camera targeting professional and enthusiast photographers.
It boasts an improved autofocus system, higher resolution sensor, and enhanced video capabilities. The Canon EOS 6D, launched in 2012, is a more budget-friendly option aimed at aspiring photographers and those looking for a good entry point into full-frame photography.
Target Audience
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is primarily aimed at professional and enthusiast photographers who require high image quality, advanced features, and reliable performance for various photography genres, including landscape, portrait, and wedding photography. The Canon EOS 6D is a suitable choice for aspiring photographers, hobbyists, and those who want to upgrade from crop-sensor cameras.
It offers a good balance between price and performance, providing a full-frame experience without breaking the bank.
Key Features
Both cameras share some core features, including a full-frame sensor, Canon’s DIGIC image processor, and a built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. However, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II surpasses the Canon EOS 6D in several key aspects:
- Image Resolution:The Canon EOS 6D Mark II offers a higher resolution of 26.2 megapixels compared to the Canon EOS 6D’s 20.2 megapixels, enabling more detailed images and greater flexibility in cropping.
- Autofocus System:The Canon EOS 6D Mark II boasts a 45-point all-cross-type autofocus system, significantly improved over the Canon EOS 6D’s 11-point autofocus system. This provides faster and more accurate focusing, especially in low-light conditions.
- Video Capabilities:The Canon EOS 6D Mark II supports 1080p video recording at 60fps, while the Canon EOS 6D is limited to 1080p at 30fps. The Canon EOS 6D Mark II also offers additional video features, such as the ability to record in various frame rates and the inclusion of a headphone jack for audio monitoring.
Comparison of Features
| Feature | Canon EOS 6D Mark II | Canon EOS 6D |
|---|---|---|
| Image Resolution | 26.2 Megapixels | 20.2 Megapixels |
| Autofocus System | 45-point all-cross-type | 11-point |
| Video Recording | 1080p at 60fps | 1080p at 30fps |
| ISO Sensitivity | ISO 100-40000 (expandable to ISO 50-102400) | ISO 100-25600 (expandable to ISO 50-102400) |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 6.5 fps | 4.5 fps |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 98% | 95% |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | No | No |
Image Quality and Sensor
The Canon 6D Mark II and the Canon 6D, both full-frame cameras, offer excellent image quality, but the Mark II model boasts significant improvements in sensor technology, resulting in a noticeable upgrade in image quality across various shooting scenarios.
Sensor Size and Resolution, Canon 6d mark ii vs canon 6d
The sensor size and resolution are crucial factors determining a camera’s ability to capture detail and produce high-quality images. The Canon 6D Mark II features a larger sensor, offering a higher resolution compared to its predecessor. The Canon 6D Mark II utilizes a 26.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor, while the Canon 6D employs a 20.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor.
This increase in resolution allows the 6D Mark II to capture more detail, particularly when printing large images or cropping for specific compositions.
The larger sensor size and higher resolution in the Canon 6D Mark II contribute to its ability to capture more light, resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
Dynamic Range and Low-Light Performance
Dynamic range is the camera’s ability to capture detail in both the highlights and shadows of a scene. A camera with a wider dynamic range can produce images with more detail in both the bright and dark areas. The Canon 6D Mark II exhibits a wider dynamic range compared to the Canon 6D, enabling it to capture more detail in high-contrast scenes.
This improvement is particularly noticeable in situations with strong backlighting or when photographing subjects with a wide range of tonal values. The 6D Mark II’s improved low-light performance is a direct result of its larger sensor and higher resolution. The larger sensor gathers more light, enabling the camera to capture images with less noise at higher ISO sensitivities.
The Canon 6D Mark II boasts a wider dynamic range and improved low-light performance compared to the Canon 6D, making it a more versatile camera for capturing images in various lighting conditions.
Image Quality Differences in Various Shooting Scenarios
Landscapes
The Canon 6D Mark II excels in landscape photography due to its ability to capture vast amounts of detail and produce images with rich color and contrast. The wider dynamic range allows the camera to capture the full range of tones in a landscape scene, from the bright sky to the dark shadows in the foreground.
The Canon 6D Mark II’s increased resolution and dynamic range make it a superior choice for landscape photography, capturing intricate details and producing images with exceptional clarity and depth.
Portraits
In portrait photography, the Canon 6D Mark II delivers sharper images with more detail in the subject’s skin tones and facial features. The larger sensor and higher resolution enable the camera to capture subtle nuances in the subject’s expression and texture.
The Canon 6D Mark II’s improved image quality and resolution make it a great choice for portrait photography, producing images with a natural look and capturing fine details in the subject’s features.
Wildlife
For wildlife photography, the Canon 6D Mark II’s improved autofocus system and continuous shooting capabilities make it a more capable tool for capturing fast-moving subjects. The increased resolution and dynamic range also help to capture details in the animal’s fur and feathers.
The Canon 6D Mark II’s autofocus and shooting performance, combined with its high resolution and dynamic range, make it a suitable camera for wildlife photography, enabling photographers to capture stunning images of animals in their natural habitat.
Autofocus System
The Canon 6D Mark II and the Canon 6D differ significantly in their autofocus systems. The 6D Mark II boasts a more advanced autofocus system with a greater number of points and improved tracking capabilities, providing a noticeable advantage in capturing fast-moving subjects and in challenging lighting conditions.
The Canon 6D Mark II and Canon 6D are both full-frame cameras with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Mark II boasts improved autofocus, higher resolution, and better low-light performance, making it a compelling choice for professionals. However, the original 6D remains a solid option for enthusiasts due to its lower price point.
No matter which camera you choose, you’ll need a reliable way to store and back up your precious images. A Network Attached Storage (NAS) device is a great solution, providing secure and centralized storage. Check out this guide to the best NAS for photographers to find the perfect match for your needs and workflow.
Whether you opt for the Canon 6D Mark II or the original 6D, a NAS will ensure your photos are safe and accessible, allowing you to focus on capturing the perfect shot.
Autofocus Points and Tracking Capabilities
The autofocus system of the Canon 6D Mark II and the Canon 6D utilizes a contrasting detection system, which analyzes the contrast between different areas of the image to determine the point of focus. The 6D Mark II features 45 cross-type autofocus points, covering a wider area of the sensor compared to the 6D’s 11 autofocus points.
This difference in the number of autofocus points translates to a significant advantage in terms of accuracy and speed, especially when focusing on subjects that are not positioned in the center of the frame.The 6D Mark II’s autofocus system also includes a dedicated tracking mode, which utilizes all 45 autofocus points to track moving subjects.
This tracking mode is particularly beneficial for capturing action shots, wildlife photography, and other scenarios where the subject is constantly in motion. The 6D, on the other hand, lacks dedicated tracking capabilities, relying on its limited number of autofocus points to maintain focus on moving subjects.
Autofocus Performance in Different Lighting Conditions
The autofocus performance of the Canon 6D Mark II is generally better in low-light conditions compared to the Canon 6D. This improvement is primarily due to the 6D Mark II’s higher sensitivity and the improved algorithm used for its autofocus system.
The 6D Mark II can achieve accurate focus in conditions as low as3 EV, which is equivalent to a dimly lit room. In contrast, the 6D struggles to achieve accurate focus in low-light conditions, often resulting in missed focus or inaccurate focus.
Real-World Autofocus Performance Examples
The autofocus performance of the Canon 6D Mark II has been praised by photographers for its accuracy and speed, particularly when capturing fast-moving subjects. For instance, in a real-world scenario involving photographing a bird in flight, the 6D Mark II was able to maintain focus on the bird even as it moved rapidly across the frame.
In contrast, the 6D struggled to keep up with the bird’s movement, often resulting in blurred images. This difference in performance is attributed to the 6D Mark II’s advanced autofocus system and its ability to track moving subjects with greater accuracy.
Continuous Shooting and Buffer
The ability to capture fast-moving subjects is a key feature for many photographers, and continuous shooting speed and buffer capacity play a crucial role in this. This section explores how the Canon 6D Mark II and Canon 6D differ in these areas, providing insights into their suitability for capturing dynamic scenes.
The Canon 6D Mark II, with its impressive 26.2MP full-frame sensor, offers a significant leap over its predecessor, the Canon 6D. Both cameras excel in low-light performance, but the Mark II boasts a faster autofocus system and a more robust build.
However, if you’re looking for a more advanced model, consider the Canon 6D Mark III, which features 4K video recording and a wider dynamic range. canon 6d vs canon mark iii Ultimately, the best choice between the Canon 6D Mark II and the Canon 6D depends on your individual needs and budget.
Continuous Shooting Speed
The continuous shooting speed of a camera determines how many frames it can capture per second. This is particularly important for capturing fast-moving subjects, such as sports or wildlife. The Canon 6D Mark II boasts a continuous shooting speed of 6.5 frames per second (fps) with continuous autofocus, while the Canon 6D can capture up to 4.5 fps.
This difference in speed translates into a noticeable advantage for the 6D Mark II in capturing fast-moving subjects. For example, when photographing a bird in flight, the faster shooting speed of the 6D Mark II allows you to capture more frames of the bird’s movement, increasing the chances of getting a sharp and well-composed image.
Buffer Capacity
The buffer capacity of a camera refers to the amount of data it can store temporarily before writing it to the memory card. This is important because it allows the camera to continue shooting even when the memory card is busy writing data.The Canon 6D Mark II has a larger buffer than the Canon 6D, which means it can capture more frames in continuous shooting mode before slowing down.
Choosing between the Canon 6D Mark II and the original 6D often comes down to autofocus performance, with the newer model boasting a more advanced system. However, both cameras are known for their excellent image quality, making them ideal for landscapes and portraits.
If you’re looking for a lens to complement your Canon, consider the Nikon 24-120mm f/4, a versatile option that delivers sharp images across its zoom range, as described in this nikon 24 120mm f4 review. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and shooting style, but both the Canon 6D Mark II and the Canon 6D offer impressive performance and capabilities for photographers of all levels.
The 6D Mark II can capture approximately 17 RAW images in a burst, while the 6D can only capture around 10 RAW images before slowing down.
Buffer Capacity Impact on Shooting Scenarios
The buffer capacity can significantly impact your shooting experience, especially in certain scenarios. Here are some examples:
- Sports Photography:When photographing fast-paced sports events, a larger buffer is crucial. It allows you to capture a longer sequence of action, increasing the chances of getting the perfect shot.
- Wildlife Photography:Capturing a fleeting moment in the wild often requires a fast burst of shots. A larger buffer ensures that you don’t miss a crucial moment due to a slow writing speed.
- Action Photography:Whether it’s capturing a skateboarder performing a trick or a dancer in mid-air, action photography demands a camera that can keep up with the speed of the action. A larger buffer is essential for capturing these dynamic moments.
Video Recording
The Canon 6D Mark II and Canon 6D both offer video recording capabilities, but the Mark II boasts significant improvements in resolution, frame rates, and overall video quality. Let’s explore the key differences in video recording between these two cameras.
Video Resolution and Frame Rates
The Canon 6D Mark II offers a significant advantage in video resolution and frame rates compared to the original 6D. The Canon 6D Mark II can capture video in 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution at frame rates up to 60 frames per second (fps), while the Canon 6D is limited to 1080p at 30 fps.
This means the Mark II allows for smoother and more detailed video, especially when capturing fast-paced action or slow-motion footage. Here’s a table summarizing the video resolution and frame rate options for both cameras:
| Camera | Video Resolution | Frame Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Canon 6D Mark II | 1080p (1920 x 1080) | 24, 25, 30, 50, 60 fps |
| Canon 6D | 1080p (1920 x 1080) | 24, 25, 30 fps |
Video Codec and Quality
The Canon 6D Mark II utilizes the H.264 codec for video recording, offering a balance between file size and quality. The 6D also uses H.264, but the Mark II offers a higher bitrate for improved video quality, particularly in areas with high levels of detail and movement.The Mark II also incorporates a better video processing engine, resulting in improved color accuracy, dynamic range, and overall image quality.
The video footage from the Mark II is noticeably sharper and more detailed, with richer colors and better low-light performance.
Autofocus and Stabilization
The Canon 6D Mark II includes Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF system for video recording, providing fast and accurate autofocus. This system allows for smooth and reliable autofocus tracking, especially when shooting moving subjects. The 6D, on the other hand, lacks this advanced autofocus system and relies on contrast-detect autofocus, which can be slower and less accurate, especially in video recording.While neither camera offers in-body image stabilization, the Mark II’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF system can help to reduce camera shake during video recording, particularly when using a lens with optical image stabilization.
Video Examples
To illustrate the difference in video quality between the Canon 6D Mark II and the Canon 6D, consider these examples:* Canon 6D Mark II:A video captured with the Mark II in 1080p at 60 fps would showcase smooth, detailed footage with accurate autofocus tracking of a moving subject.
The video would have a wide dynamic range, capturing detail in both highlights and shadows.
Canon 6D
A video captured with the 6D in 1080p at 30 fps would appear less smooth and might exhibit some autofocus hunting, especially when shooting moving subjects. The video might also have a narrower dynamic range, with less detail in highlights and shadows.In conclusion, the Canon 6D Mark II offers a significant upgrade in video recording capabilities compared to the original 6D.
The Mark II’s higher resolution, faster frame rates, advanced autofocus system, and improved video processing engine make it a much more capable video camera.
Battery Life and Performance
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II and Canon EOS 6D both employ a similar battery design, utilizing the LP-E6N battery pack. While they share the same battery type, their performance in terms of battery life can differ based on factors such as shooting modes, image stabilization, and the use of features like Wi-Fi and GPS.
Battery Life Comparison
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II offers an estimated battery life of 800 shots per charge according to CIPA standards. This figure is significantly higher than the Canon EOS 6D’s rated battery life of 1090 shots. However, real-world battery life can vary based on usage patterns and shooting conditions.
Factors Affecting Battery Usage
Several factors influence battery usage, including:
- Shooting Mode:Continuous shooting modes consume more power than single-shot modes due to the continuous operation of the autofocus and image processing systems.
- Image Stabilization:Using image stabilization can increase battery consumption as it requires additional power to stabilize the lens.
- Wi-Fi and GPS:Enabling Wi-Fi and GPS functions will drain the battery faster due to the constant communication with external devices and satellite signals.
- Live View and Video Recording:Using live view and video recording can significantly reduce battery life, as the camera’s LCD screen consumes more power.
Real-World Battery Life Examples
Real-world battery life can vary greatly depending on usage patterns. For example, a photographer shooting a wedding with extensive use of continuous shooting, flash, and live view might experience a shorter battery life than a landscape photographer shooting static scenes with minimal use of features.
In general, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II’s battery life is sufficient for most photographers, but it’s still advisable to carry spare batteries, especially when shooting events or long trips.
Price and Value: Canon 6d Mark Ii Vs Canon 6d
The Canon 6D Mark II and Canon 6D offer different price points, reflecting their features and target audiences. Understanding their pricing and value proposition is crucial for making an informed decision.
Price Comparison
The Canon 6D Mark II is generally priced higher than the Canon 6D, reflecting its newer technology and improved features. As of November 2023, the Canon 6D Mark II typically retails for around $1,500, while the Canon 6D can be found for around $800.
Value Proposition
The value proposition of each camera depends on individual needs and priorities.
Canon 6D Mark II
- The Canon 6D Mark II offers a more modern and capable camera with features like a higher resolution sensor, improved autofocus system, and 4K video recording. This makes it a more versatile option for a wider range of photography and videography needs.
- The Canon 6D Mark II is a good choice for photographers who need a full-frame camera with advanced features and are willing to pay a premium for them.
Canon 6D
- The Canon 6D, while older, still offers a capable full-frame sensor and good image quality. It is a more affordable option for photographers who are new to full-frame cameras or have a limited budget.
- The Canon 6D can be a good choice for photographers who prioritize image quality and don’t require the latest features.
Resale Value and Future Upgrades
The Canon 6D Mark II is likely to hold its value better than the Canon 6D due to its newer technology and higher demand. This is because the 6D Mark II has been a popular choice for professionals and enthusiasts, while the 6D has been discontinued.
The Canon 6D, however, can still be a good value for budget-conscious photographers, especially if they are looking for a used camera.As for future upgrades, the Canon 6D Mark II is a relatively new camera, so it is likely to receive firmware updates and support for a longer period of time.
The Canon 6D, on the other hand, is no longer receiving new firmware updates.
Closing Notes
Ultimately, the choice between the Canon 6D Mark II and Canon 6D hinges on your specific needs and priorities. If you’re a seasoned photographer seeking the latest technology, improved autofocus, and enhanced video features, the Canon 6D Mark II is a compelling choice.
However, if you prioritize affordability, a compact design, and excellent image quality, the Canon 6D still holds its own as a capable and reliable full-frame DSLR. Both cameras offer exceptional image quality and versatility, making them excellent options for photographers of all levels.