Canon returns with an all-encompassing video and stills production workhorse, the EOS R6 Mark II.

Have you heard the news? Canon just dropped their new hybrid camera, the consumer-friendly EOS R6 Mark II, and also a new entry into the ever-growing Canon RF lens line. From the looks of the test footage and YouTube reviews, this camera is explicitly aimed at the “advanced amateur” with its user-friendly functions and sensibilities. Let’s look at the different features and what you can expect from this new addition to the Canon lineup. 

The team at CVP, one of my favorite channels for gear reviews, released a video showcasing what’s possible with the Mark II as they took it out into the real world to get stunning test footage. Check it out below. 

Compared to the EOS R 5 C, you can shift from video to still with one button switch, streamlining the hybrid shooter’s workflow to ensure they get each type of shot when it counts. The biggest selling point of this camera is its seemingly impressive auto-focus capabilities. A huge benefit for run and gun shooters.

By tracking the eyes of humans and animals—you shouldn’t have any problems when shooting events and fast-paced subjects. Another standard feature that seems to have been improved upon since the last model is the IBIS. Regardless of stills or video, it looks like going handheld shouldn’t be a problem, no matter the available light (for stills) or the movement of your subjects (for video). 

Let’s talk about sensor details! The new sensor, full-frame 24.2 megapixels, is around 4 megapixels bigger than the previous EOS R 6 model – so you are technically improving from the earlier versions. Low-light performance has been enhanced with significant noise reduction as the ISO is raised while shooting in C-log 3. It looks a lot better based on footage I’ve seen from content creators. Overall the video performance has improved a bit, but it’s certainly not a game-changer. Let’s look at the specs.

Specs: 

• 24.2 megapixels, full-frame image sensor
• 4K 59.94p video recording
• External 6K RAW video recording / Internal 4K video recording oversampled from 6K
• High-speed burst shooting
• Canon Log 3 maximizing dynamic range
• Autofocus (AF): highly accurate subject detection with human, animal, vehicle, and automatic settings
• Horses, trains, and airplanes are newly detectable through deep-learning technology.  
• Continuous movie recording that exceeds 30 minutes
• Up to 12 frames per second mechanical shutter
• Up to 40 frames per second with an electronic shutter 
• In-body Image Stabilization as effective as up to 8 stops faster shutter speed

The body is listed at $2,499, and the camera is available for preorder from most major retailers.

Who is this Camera For? 

While Canon has specified this is perfect for the “advanced amateur,” they have also given further insight into what type of creative work this hybrid camera would be an ideal fit for, which includes professional production (think editorial shoots, corporate interviews, event videography) vlogging, still pictures, and of course filmmaking.

If you’re just getting started on your video production journey and need a camera that is easier to master than, say, one of the Blackmagic Design cameras, has good auto-focus, and keeps you in the Canon RF lens line, the EOS R6 Mark II might be the camera for you! 

If you’re shooting on a bigger-bodied Canon camera like the C500, C200, C70, or even the R5, the R6 Mark II will be a fantastic B-cam. 

The New RF135mm F1.8 L IS USM Lens.

Canon also announced the release of their new RF mid-telephoto portrait lens. Here’s what Canon has to say about this new fixed focal length addition to their increasingly impressive RF lineup: 

“This is a fixed focal length mid-telephoto portrait lens compatible with any EOS R-series camera. The RF135mm F1.8 L IS USM achieves beautiful and generous bokeh with the large-diameter F1.8 and comes equipped with in-lens Image Stabilization. The coordinated control of this IS coupled with the in-body IS present in the EOS R6 Mark II camera and other EOS R-equipped IBIS cameras help reduce camera shake and empower photographers to express a feeling of motion when shooting in dark areas with slow shutter speeds.”

Canon

Coming in at around USD 2,099, the lens is an investment; there’s no doubt about that.

Images via Canon

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