Just a few weeks ago the Canon EOS R5 and R6 were officially announced and we couldn’t be more excited! There’s a lot to break down on the specs and capabilities front, so let’s dive right in on just the EOS R6, it inherits the high-speed 20-megapixel sensor from the Canon 1DX III, allowing 20 FPS with a fully electronic shutter or 12 FPS with its mechanical shutter. Yes, you can get the performance of a ~$6500 camera, for under $2500.
The EOS R6 also offers 4K/60p video, (no RAW) with 10-bit 4:2:2 C-Log or HDR PQ options, and 1080/120p video, it has the same new “Dual-Pixel AF mk2”, which is built upon the already quite impressive autofocus system from the Canon 1DX mk3, with 1053 focus points that cover 100% of the viewfinder and use AI (machine learning) to recognize and track subjects.
Additionally, the R6 offers Canon’s brand-new IBIS (in-body image stabilization) technology, which claims (up to) a shocking 8 EVs of stabilization when used in conjunction with select RF IS lenses, and a minimum of 6 EVs stabilization with any lens. It offers dual card slots with ample buffers, and can shoot at 20 FPS using the electronic shutter, and 12 FPS with the mechanical shutter, with full autofocus capability.
Basically, the R 6 sounds pretty incredible, and while we haven’t gotten hands-on with this camera yet, there’s already a great collection of reviews available from canon and early access influencers to check out.
Canon EOS R6 Introduction Video
Canon EOS R6 Technical Specs:
- Lens Mount Canon RF
- Camera Format Full-Frame (1x Crop Factor)
- Pixels Actual: 21.4 Megapixel
- Effective: 20.1 Megapixel
- Maximum Resolution 5472 x 3648
- Aspect Ratio 3:2
- Sensor Type CMOS
- Sensor Size 36 x 24 mm
- Image File Format JPEG, Raw, HEIF
- Bit Depth 14-Bit
- Image Stabilization Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
- ISO Sensitivity Auto, 100 to 102400 (Extended: 100 to 204800)
- Shutter Speed
- Mechanical Shutter 1/8000 to 30 Seconds
- Electronic Front Curtain Shutter 1/8000 to 30 Seconds
- Electronic Shutter 1/8000 to 0.5 Seconds
- Exposure Compensation -3 to +3 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps)
- Metering Range -3 to 20 EV
- Continuous Shooting
- Mechanical Shutter Up to 12 fps at 20 MP for up to 1000 Frames (JPEG) / 240 Frames (Raw)
- Electronic Shutter Up to 20 fps at 20 MP for up to 1000 Frames (JPEG) / 240 Frames (Raw)
- Interval Recording Yes
- Self-Timer 2/10-Second Delay
- Recording Modes H.265 4:2:2 10-Bit
- UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/29.97p/59.94p [170 to 340 Mb/s]
- Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/29.97p/59.94p/119.88p [28 to 180 Mb/s]
H.264 4:2:0 8-Bit - UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/29.97p/59.94p [120 to 230 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/29.97p/59.94p/119.88p [12 to 120 Mb/s]
- External Recording Modes 4:2:2 10-Bit
- UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 59.94p
- Recording Limit Up to 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds
- Video Encoding NTSC/PAL
- Audio Recording
- Built-In Microphone (Stereo)
- External Microphone Input
- Audio File Format AAC, Linear PCM1
- Autofocus Points Phase Detection: 1053
- Autofocus Sensitivity -6.5 to +20 EV
- Viewfinder Type Electronic (OLED)
- Viewfinder Size 0.5″
- Viewfinder Resolution 3,690,000 Dot
- Viewfinder Eye Point 23 mm
- Viewfinder Coverage 100%
- Viewfinder Magnification Approx. 0.76x
- Diopter Adjustment -4 to +2
- Monitor Size 3″
- Monitor Resolution 1,620,000 Dot
- Monitor Type Free-Angle Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- Built-In Flash No
- Maximum Sync Speed 1/250 Second
- Flash Compensation -3 to +3 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps)
- Dedicated Flash System eTTL
- External Flash Connection Hot Shoe
- Memory Card Slot Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
- Connectivity USB Type-C (USB 3.1), HDMI D (Micro), 3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone
- Wireless
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- GPS No
- Operating Temperature 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
- Operating Humidity 0 to 85%
- Battery 1 x LP-E6NH Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
- Dimensions (W x H x D) 5.43 x 3.84 x 3.48″ / 138 x 97.5 x 88.4 mm
- Weight 1.5 lb / 680 g (Body with Battery and Memory)
- Price – $2,499 – Adorama | B&H | Amazon
Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Camera Reviews
We’ve put in our request to get hands-on with this camera system so we’ll be completing our review soon. Until then, here are some of our favorites from around the web from other respected sources:
Canon EOS R6 Review from DPReview
Canon R5 & R6 Review from Geral Undone
Canon R6 Review from Tyler Stalman
Canon EOS R6 Review from Peter McKinnon
Canon EOS R5 & R6 Animal AF Comparison from Tony & Chelsea Northrup
Canon EOS R6 Discussion with Kamil Pekala – Is It Better Than The EOS R?
Canon EOS R6 First Look with Precision Camera & Video
Canon EOS R5 & R6 First Look with B&H
Canon EOS R6 Hands-On First Look Review from Gordon Laing
Canon EOS R6 Review from Cinema5D
Canon EOS R5 & R6 Preview from Jared Polin
Canon EOS R6 Hands-On Photo & Video Review from Vanessa Joy
Canon EOS R6 Discussion from JHawk
Canon EOS R6 Announcement & Details from Dan Watson
Conclusion
What the EOS R5 lacks in affordability, the EOS R6 makes up for with impressive features in a ~$2500 body. The R6 is not your average entry-level or “prosumer” full-frame mirrorless camera, indeed, as it also inherits the sensor (and autofocus system, and video specs) of the Canon 1DX mkIII. Like the EOS R5, its shooting speed is on par with the fastest cameras around, with one of the fastest mechanical shutter speeds ever.
If 20 megapixels seems underwhelming, though, just remember- the sensor is still more than enough for high-quality 4K video, and the RAW stills will be some of the “cleanest” around; offering low noise and impressive dynamic range at all ISOs, even extremely high ISOs like 12800 or 25600…
All in all, indeed there’s something for everyone. It seems very clear that Canon’s EOS R was just a hint at Canon’s loftier goals for their system. After undoubtedly getting lots of feedback about the EOS R and EOS RP, Canon delivered virtually everything we could have asked for. Dual card slots that are both high-speed, IBIS that (potentially) surpasses all competitors, and other cutting-edge technology that we simply can’t judge yet without taking these cameras to real-world scenarios (weddings? landscapes?) for definitive testing and reviewing. As usual, let us know any questions or concerns you have about this system in the comments below so we can try to address them in our upcoming review.