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Canon EOS R6 vs. R6 Mark II: What's the Difference?
Annika Jansen
What is the difference between the Canon EOS R6 and R6 Mark II?
Are you looking for a full-frame mirrorless camera and are you torn between the Canon EOS R6 and the Canon EOS R6 Mark II? You're not alone. These models share many characteristics, but also differ on a number of important points that could determine your choice.
Here we lay out the specifications, performance and practical advantages of both cameras side by side. This way you'll quickly discover which Canon best suits your photography or video style.
What are the biggest differences between the Canon EOS R6 and the Canon EOS R6 Mark II?
| Specification | Canon EOS R6 | Canon EOS R6 Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 20.1 megapixel | 24.2 megapixel |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with AI subject recognition |
| Continuous shooting speed | 20 fps (electronic) | 40 fps (electronic) |
| Video | 4K 60p with crop | 4K 60p without crop |
| Image processor | DIGIC X | DIGIC X (faster version) |
| RAW burst & pre-shooting | Not available | Yes |
| Battery life | approx. 510 shots (CIPA) | approx. 580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | approx. 680 g | approx. 670 g |
| Price indication (body) | €2,299 | €2,599 |
Although the Canon EOS R6 and the EOS R6 Mark II look very similar, there are some important differences that can make a real impact for certain users. Both models are full-frame mirrorless cameras with built-in image stabilisation, fast autofocus and 4K video capabilities, but the Mark II offers noticeable upgrades.
The Canon EOS R6 is a powerful all-round camera with 20.1 megapixels and 20 frames per second. It is reliable, versatile and popular among photographers who value ease of use and solid performance. The 4K 60p video recordings are of high quality, but are captured with a crop.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II offers a higher resolution of 24.2 megapixels and doubles the burst speed to 40 frames per second. It also features improved autofocus with smart AI recognition. An important advantage for videographers is that 4K 60p is recorded without crop. Also new is the RAW burst mode with pre-shooting, which captures moments even before you fully press the shutter.
The Mark II is slightly lighter, has a slightly longer battery life and comes with a higher price. This makes it particularly interesting for those who value speed, detail and advanced video features. The original R6 remains an excellent choice for photographers who can get by perfectly well with slightly fewer features.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Canon EOS R6
Advantages:
- Reliable all-round performance for both photo and video
- 20.1 megapixel sensor with good noise performance in low light
- 20 frames per second, suitable for action and reportage
- Built-in image stabilisation helps with longer shutter speeds
- Comfortable ergonomics and intuitive controls
- Attractively priced within the full-frame segment
Disadvantages:
- 4K 60p video recordings are cropped, you lose part of the frame
- Lower resolution than modern alternatives, limited for crops or large prints
- No RAW burst mode or pre-shooting capabilities
- Autofocus lacks AI subject recognition
Advantages and disadvantages of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Advantages:
- Higher resolution of 24.2 megapixels for more detail and flexibility
- Electronic burst mode up to 40 frames per second
- 4K 60p video recordings without crop, making full use of the field of view
- AI subject recognition for accurate focusing on people, animals and vehicles
- RAW burst mode with pre-shooting captures moments before the shutter is fully pressed
- Slightly longer battery life and lighter body
Disadvantages:
- Higher price than the original R6
- More advanced features may overwhelm beginners
- Large amounts of data require faster and larger memory cards
What are the differences in specifications between the EOS R6 and the EOS R6 Mark II?
| Category | Specification | Canon EOS R6 | Canon EOS R6 Mark II |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | Model | Canon EOS R6 | Canon EOS R6 Mark II |
| Camera type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | |
| Sensor format | Full-frame CMOS | Full-frame CMOS | |
| Image processor | DIGIC X | DIGIC X | |
| Dust & splash resistant | Yes | Yes | |
| Dimensions & Weight | Dimensions (mm) | 138.4 × 97.5 × 88.4 | 138.4 × 97.5 × 88.4 |
| Weight (incl. battery & card) | 680 g | 680 g | |
| Sensor | Resolution | 20.1 megapixel | 24.2 megapixel |
| Total pixels | 21.4 megapixel | Not specified | |
| ISO range | 100–102,400 (expandable to 204,800) | 100–102,400 (expandable to 204,800) | |
| Sensor cleaning | EOS Integrated Cleaning System | EOS Integrated Cleaning System | |
| Autofocus | AF system | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II |
| AF points | 6,072 (photo) | 4,897 (photo) | |
| AF sensitivity | EV −6.5 – 20 | EV −6.5 – 21 | |
| Subject recognition | People, animals | People, animals, vehicles | |
| Viewfinder & Screen | Viewfinder type | 0.5" OLED, 3.69 million dots | 0.5" OLED, 3.69 million dots |
| Monitor | 3.0" LCD, 1.62 million dots | 3.0" LCD, 1.62 million dots | |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes | |
| Tilt screen | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder refresh rate | Up to 120 Hz | 60–119.8 Hz adaptive | |
| Video | Max. resolution | 4K | 4K |
| FPS in 4K | 60 fps (with crop) | 60 fps (without crop) | |
| FPS in Full HD | 120 fps | 180 fps | |
| Canon Log | Canon Log 1 | Canon Log 1 & 3 | |
| Slow motion video | Yes | Yes, at 1/4 speed | |
| Shooting | Max. burst (electronic) | 20 fps | 40 fps |
| Max. burst (mechanical) | 12 fps | 12 fps | |
| RAW burst mode | No | Yes, with pre-shooting | |
| HDR shooting | Yes | Yes, incl. HEIF | |
| Audio | Built-in microphone | Stereo | Stereo |
| External microphone | 3.5mm stereo | 3.5mm stereo | |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes | |
| Audio format | Linear PCM / AAC | Linear PCM / AAC | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (2.4 GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | |
| USB | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type-C) | USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-C) | |
| Storage | Memory slots | 2× SD (UHS-II) | 2× SD (UHS-II) |
| Dual recording | Yes | Yes | |
| Internal memory | No | No | |
| Battery & Power | Battery type | LP-E6NH | LP-E6NH |
| Battery life (LCD) | approx. 510 shots | approx. 580 shots | |
| USB charging | Yes | Yes | |
| USB power supply | Yes | Yes | |
| Flash | Built-in flash | No | No |
| External flash connection | Hot shoe | Hot shoe (multi-function) | |
| Flash sync speed | 1/250s | 1/250s (mechanical), 1/200s (electronic 1st curtain) | |
| Second curtain sync | Yes, via Speedlite | Yes, via Speedlite | |
| Lens & Mount | Lens mount | Canon RF (EF via adapter) | Canon RF (EF via adapter) |
| Includes lens | Body only | Body only |
Which Canon model appeals to you most?
Both the Canon EOS R6 and the R6 Mark II are mirrorless cameras aimed at enthusiast photographers and hybrid creators. The EOS R6 offers a good balance between performance, ease of use and price, and is suitable for those who work all-round with both photography and video. The R6 Mark II builds on this with higher speed, more resolution, improved autofocus and more advanced video features. This makes it particularly suitable for sports, action and content creation at a high level.
Still unsure which camera best suits your needs? Visit one of our stores to try the models out in person, or browse them in our web shop. Our specialists are ready to advise you personally, so you can head out with the right camera to tell your story in images.
