Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon's updated full-frame mirrorless model gains a 24MP sensor and improved AI subject detection. Andy Westlake gives his detailed assessment

- Andy Westlake

It’s only a little over two years since Canon introduced its original enthusiast-focused EOS R6, alongside the 45MP EOS R5. While its high-resolution sibling grabbed all the headlines, the more affordable model set about establishing itself as the realistic choice for most photographers. Now the firm has given it a major update, with the EOS R6 Mark II gaining a new 24MP sensor in place of the previous 20MP chip. There’s also an array of feature updates, plus a few small but significant design tweaks.

At £2,779 body only, the EOS R6 Mark II comes to market for a moderate premium over its now-discontinued predecessor, which cost £2,500 at launch. This places it up against some strong competitors that cost rather less, most notably the excellent 33MP Sony Alpha 7 IV (£2,400) and the promising-looking Panasonic Lumix S5 II (£2,000). Canon will no doubt be hoping that its impressive headline specs, including 40fps shooting and a sophisticated subject-recognition AF system, will tempt its existing DSLR users to stay loyal and buy into the R system. But does the EOS R6 Mark II really offer enough to justify its price-tag?

Features

Firstly, let’s consider the new 24.2MP Dual Pixel CMOS AF II sensor. While it has the same resolution as the high-end EOS R3, it doesn’t employ the same stacked architecture for ultra-fast readout. However, Canon claims that it delivers low-light performance to match the EOS R6’s 20MP chip, with a standard sensitivity range that runs all the way up to ISO 102,400 and is extendable to ISO 204,800.