New Release: Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Today Canon unveiled the EOS R6 II, and from what we can tell, this camera is full of improvements on the original EOS R6.

Initial reviews of the R6 II have been pretty impressive, with some pros even likening it a mini R3. The R6 was touted as a solid entry camera into a hybrid mirrorless market. But Canon hasn’t just updated this original, it has exceeded expectation, with significant physical and performance changes such as a new sensor and a better processor along with a more intelligent autofocus system, faster continuous burst rates, better rolling shutter suppression, 6K RAW video recording and much more! Canon itself is even calling the R6 II its fastest advanced full-frame mirrorless camera to date.  the EOS R6 Mark II introduces more than 70 upgrades

 

 The R6 II improves resolution performance with its 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, and it supports Dual Pixel CMOS AF II. The camera uses the same DIGIC X processor technology found in the EOS R5, EOS R6, and EOS-1D X Mark III.

The R6 II boasts superb IS performance, with up to 8-stops of co-ordinated control image stabilisation. It works in a coordinated way with lenses that have built-in optical IS, and brings the benefits of stabilisation to lenses that don’t have optical IS. Photographers can also capture images in very low light conditions, focusing in light levels as low as -6.5EV, and the ability to shoot up to ISO 102,400. The IBIS can help achieve sharper images through improved AF accuracy too. Having a more stable image makes it easier to keep the active AF point locked on the subject – particularly at high frame rates.

Speaking of high frame rates, Canon states that the R6 II is the fastest EOS to date. It can shoot continuously at up to an eye-watering 40fps with its silent electronic shutter (buffer size of just shy of 80 frames.) Being able to shoot at 40fps with full AF tracking opens up new creative possibilities, particularly in the world of sports and wildlife photography. It is able to hit these numbers despite the fact it is not a stacked sensor. Canon, however, is keeping mum about how they are to reach these sensor readout speeds without them becoming unusable due to rolling shutter, which has been remarkably reduced in the R6 II.

“I used to be happy with 7fps!” Teddy says. “Even 30fps on the EOS R3 is mind-blowing. But 40fps was perfect for capturing the speed flyers landing on the lake. Having so many successful shots can make it more challenging to choose the right image, but it’s better to have that than miss the perfect shot.”

Teddy Morellec, photographer & videographer.

The R6 II also offers the innovative RAW burst option, introduced in the R7, which saves a sequence of images captured at 30fps in a single file, from which individual frames can be extracted and saved as full-resolution RAW files later. What’s more, the R6 II now comes with a pre-shooting option (RAW burst) that captures RAW files for a half second before you push the shutter. This allows you catch a moment even if your reaction is slow.

Mike Burnhill, Canon Europe Senior Product Marketing Specialist explains: “sometimes the peak of the action occurs between frames.” When shooting extreme sports or sighting rare animals out in the wild, there are times where you don’t know exactly what’s going to happen until it happens. The pre-shooting option in the EOS R6 Mark II makes it possible to capture the action half a second before you fully press the shutter button. Mike explains, “You might be able to anticipate an event, but there will always be a lag between seeing it, pressing the button and the camera’s systems being activated,” says Mike. “Pre-shooting makes it much easier to capture the decisive moment, whether it’s a bird leaving a branch or a crocodile surging out of a river to grab a wildebeest.”

Canon has also made the autofocus a lot smarter on the R6 II, making it more advanced than any Canon model to date, including the R3, the company says. It now handles people, animals and vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, trains, helicopters, and horses. The data for birds, cats and dogs has also been refreshed. On top of recognising humans, it can now see eyes from much farther away, and gives you the ability to swap between left or right eye quickly depending on your composition. It now also sports an auto-select option that lets the AI decide what to track by analysing what’s in the frame and then selects an appropriate tracking algorithm.

Another notable new feature is HDR for moving subjects.

“What is great is that with all the functionality in both photo and video, all you have to worry about is having a good story to tell. The camera will handle 99% of the situation. You just need to go out and create.”

Teddy Morellec, photographer & videographer.

Video wise, the R6 II brings full-width 4K at up to 60 frames per second that is oversampled from 6K and can record at up to 4:2:2 10-bit in Canon Log 3. With a compatible external recorder, that quality can jump to 6K RAW. You can now shoot 4K 60p uncropped for 40 minutes. Cropped 4K 60p has a 50 minute limit, and supersampled 4K 30p has no limitations. A big improvement on the R6. Filmmakers will also be pleased to see that false colour warnings are available on the Canon R6 II. This technology will be familiar to users of Canon’s Cinema EOS cameras.

“We’ve improved the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II focusing for video, so it reproduces more closely what a professional focus puller would do,” Mike points out. “The EOS R6 Mark II introduces a new ‘Detect only’ AF option, which allows you to select the subject to focus on. The camera will then only track that object and won’t suddenly refocus on the background if the subject leaves the frame.” He continues, “Electronic focus-breathing correction makes it even easier to achieve professional-looking results,” he continues. “Typically, when you change the focus, the magnification changes as the optics move inside the lens. This creates a distracting ‘pulsing’ effect, where the background appears to change size. But with the EOS R6 Mark II, we’re able to correct that electronically. It means that you can use the cheapest zoom lens and make it look as if you shot with a high-end Cine Prime.”

Otherwise, it’s roughly the same weight and size as the R6, so ergonomically users will feel instantly at home with the new camera. However, handling has been streamlined. The on/off switch is now next to the shutter button, so it’s easier to activate the camera single-handed. For added convenience, the photo and video mode selector has been moved to the left side of the camera, similar to its position on the EOS R5 C. It retains the flip-out display for vlogging or selfies, dual UHS II card slots and 3.67-million-dot electronic viewfinder. It comes with microphone and headphone ports, along with a USB-C socket and a microHDMI jack.

Excerpts from Mike Burnhill originally found on Canon Europe