Canon EOS R6 Mark II Final Review

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II may not look like a big upgrade looking at the specs, but a huge number of small improvements add up to a much more capable camera than its predecessor. After weeks with a production model, Chris and Jordan present their final findings.
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0:00 - Intro
1:03 - Stills autofocus
2:30 - Stills image quality
5:08 - Video performance
8:05 - How it compares
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[@user-yg8hn4it3c]

I like the idea of making intiial reviews and another one after having used the camera for a while.

[@jlwilliams]

Yeah, it's nice to see results from something OTHER than luxury influencer junkets where they just shoot canned scenarios designed especially to make the product look good. This follow-up still seems rose-tinted, though. One segment I'd love to see as a standard DPRTV review feature would be “The worst thing about this product is…” or “One thing I hated about this product is…”

[@snowwalker9999]

@@jlwilliams I agree. However I think without having to mention the word hate (maybe they do not hate anything about the camera) they could have a section about things that need to be improved or upgraded. And, maybe a more detailed hands on comparison with the cameras they mention such as Lumix S5 ii Sony A7 IV ...

[@RichardoBrit]

I just wish the final reviews came in a bit faster, but otherwise agree

[@danieldougan269]

The reason they do it this way is because those initial reviews are using cameras with pre-production firmware. So, the final reviews are more in line with the camera as consumers will really experience it.

[@-grey]

Linguistically it makes sense for the review to be a second look after time. First look doesn't make sense as a review.

[@frankcarenza921]

Thank you for your review and your opinions. Both Chris and Jordan do a lot of work in testing the functionality of cameras for photography and videography. Appreciate it very much.

[@george56179]

I'd love to see a 4 way comparison video between the R6II, A7IV, S5II and the Z6III when it finally comes out!

[@detectivejonesw]

Yesss

[@youknowwho9247]

Chuck the X-T5 in there, too. Not full frame, but same price point.

[@jwanger142]

Make it the XH2S

[@questioneverything680]

@@youknowwho9247xt5 is $800 cheaper than A7IV and R6ii and $300 cheaper than s5 ii and Z6iii (presumably if the current model is indicative of its price) a far more compelling comparison would be the xh2 or xh2s

[@youknowwho9247]

@@questioneverything680 I guess I suggested the X-T5 so Fuji at least wins out slightly in terms of price, whereas the X-H2 just loses to the full frame options in absolutely every way. Oh well.

[@AlexandreRacine]

Did you know? The EOS R6 Mark II have two SD card slots, and you can take pictures on both at the same time in case one card gets corrupted ;)

[@NoName-rf2us]

This is way to advance for Chris

[@idahomountainlover754]

This is not news. All my Nikons have this feature.

[@123.gaming]

​@idahomountainlover754 yeah so do all professional canon cameras

[@unbroken1010]

Umm yes that pretty normal for even 15 year old dslr 's ffs relax p Diddy

[@unbroken1010]

​@@idahomountainlover754most dslr 's in the last 15 do this 😂

[@kevindiossi]

So glad you guys brought up the Dynamic Range loss in electronic shutter. (Also noticeable in video) Currently, it is the only real weakness I’ve found that I actually have to shoot around. It’s unfortunate, but also not surprising the camera would have SOME weakness. Overall, it fills its role as a complimentary camera to my R3 bodies and a general everyday shooter for real estate and other subjects. Its performance is truly remarkable for the price point and can do a very good job hanging with the R3.

[@unbroken1010]

I hope you don't work for black rock and stealing people's homes in the "real estate" business.

[@DeadOnTrail]

Just bought the r6 ii last night can't wait to use it!

[@unbroken1010]

And how do you like it?

[@MarlonKingShow]

Thanks guys, good to know they are so close these days. Which is a good sign.

[@stephenericwalsh]

Love the shot of Chris on the beach. Beautiful framing and colour.

[@Skux720]

I have the original R6 and don't need to upgrade since I mainly shoot photos, but uncropped 4k60fps at this price point is really impressive. The readout speed is a nice bonus too.

[@maxloverU]

you deserve more subs for the hardwork you do

[@RC534]

As an R6 mk II owner my heartbeat jumped a bit at 8:46 with Chris casually throwing it from one hand into the other ;-)

[@AnandaGarden]

Excellent. Thanks in particular for the discussion of image quality in mechanical vs electronic shutter mode. Would have welcomed an in-depth discussion of IQ in the R6 vs the R6 II. But overall a very helpful, complete intro.

[@LeesChannel]

So S5 II for video, A7IV for stills, those two recommendations in this video really illustrate how the EOS 6 II stacks up.

[@velmanir6167]

Really good reviews... Thankfully....

[@jackiea.7971]

Thank you for the review ❤❤❤

[@dawnx8096]

I have been waiting for this one!!!!!

[@BrianHallmond]

I have the R6 Mk i. I love it so much. If I ever need a second Cam, I would absolutely consider the Mark ii. Or an R5 i/ii. Yeah buddy!

[@77dris]

Got this camera back in December after 18 years as a pro photographer and it's the best camera I've ever used... by far. It's definitely class leading, beating out the A7IV (which has cropped 4K, bad LCD, and lower dynamic range and higher noise than the R6 II in all the tests I did plus the R6 II has way better rolling shutter and battery life,and costs less where I live!) and significantly better than the S5 II which still has focus issues (check out DSLR Videoshooter's review, he's the best) and has heavily crippled and cropped high speed modes, even in 1080. Ugh. Alex Barerra did a comparison with the A7IV and not only did the R6 II beat it when it comes to dynamic range and ISO noise, shockingly the R6 II was also SHARPER. I upscaled Raws to 33 MP to match the A7IV and sure enough the R6 II is sharper in real world. Perhaps due to weaker AA filter, and lenses and focus accuracy too. 12 FPS mechanical is already insane for photography. I shot sports with the best 1D at the time, and it was 10 FPS and it was always more than enough. And that 12 FPS blows away the A7IV (which gets only about 7 FPS in real world) and the S5 II.

[@Yupthereitism]

You should try a Sony, the quality will blow your mind.

[@clonkex]

@@Yupthereitism I don't understand this comment

[@lIIustration]

I wouldn’t say it’s cheaper than the a7iv since the lenses you’ll be paying for are 2x more expensive than tamron or sigma lenses.

[@stevess7777]

​@@lIIustrationYou can seamlessly adapt on EF lens

[@enri_1986]

@@lIIustrationYou spend thousands on a camera body and compromise AF with cheap lenses? Yeah no, buy used.

[@TheJugaadProduction]

At 7:58 to 7:59 there is a autofocus jump for a stationary human mid shot. Thanks for not cutting it and a subtle way to showing, without telling. Like that.

[@unbroken1010]

It happens. It's jumped because it saw a photo of a p Diddy /Snoop Dog after parties

[@adamdumsday]

This is a really good video. Good analysis. This is the camera I'm looking at getting.

[@ScottJWaldron]

Looks nice! 4k60 with that low of a readout time is impressive. 0:50 Dual card mirroring/backup is ignored until someone experiences a card failure, but then it's too late... 😅 Doesn't take much to slot in a second card when it's an option. Not to say that's perfectly foolproof but it adds another layer of protection. It could have been the camera itself too.

[@mikem6796]

Does it have dual cards?

[@ScottJWaldron]

@@mikem6796 The R6 Mark II? Yes, dual SD.

[@paulyeung6608]

Excited!

[@OdiumTV]

yeah, getting the R6II, the Tamron 70-180 and the Sigma 24-70 would be a great mid-budget sports/travel combo... Oh wait...

[@NoahStephens]

Adapters are your friend

[@Yupthereitism]

@@NoahStephens make your camera heavier, front heavy, worse autofocus, and cost money…great solution

[@glycerine3065]

Awesome video! After watching some of your content, I've finally decided to subscribe and help save your memory cards!

[@jacoblewis]

Funny that the AF jumps at 8:00 🤔

[@YuriiRay]

hahaha yes

[@themediocrephotographer1301]

Got mine yesterday! Perfect timing lol.

[@wellwhatthen10101]

Good solid honest review.cant go wrong with either camera both hit the right features .

[@misterhoeflak]

Great review guys! Also, your kids are adorable ❤

[@fernandosantiagojr]

Congratulations on the video! I follow them all! Just to say that I paid attention to the whole video, at 8:25 min the description of the comparison comes out 6D Mark II, nothing that discredits the video! Just a comment! 😅 I love your work ! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@MrTmiket0007]

Thanks for sharing another wonderful video like always 👍👌

[@raahensalophotography]

7:58 typical Canon autofocus moment just before the cut 😁

[@chosenbydesign9007]

How do you know it was recorded on the R6ii? I'd guess they recorded on the "panasonic" as the subject in the video seems to Praise Pana so much over the years and known to record clips with pana in the past.

[@chosenbydesign9007]

@Shariq Ahmed🌎💙 oh i c ; thank you. Good to know.

[@fotomaton7852]

@Shariq Ahmed🌎💙 Actually if it was all shot on the R6II it would have also been mentioned at the start, which leads me to believe they only had one R6II and all of the shots where Chris is holding the R6II are shot with another camera, most likely S5II. That said, I agree that particular shot was most likely done on the R6II. Could have been user error though, Chris isn't a pro videographer. Probably forgot to activate "subject only" or something.

[@PabloVazquezVisualArts]

Hi! Awesome review! I have a question about video: When shooting in FullHD, is there any "line skipping" from the sensor or the frame is made of full read out and then downscaling? In old DSLRs, there was some line skipping, most noticeable as "aliasing" when shooting video with straight lines, for instance. And in 4K, what does the "oversampling" exactly do? some kind of pixel binning? Thank you very much!

[@spritual_enlightenment]

18ms and subject detect only are very impressive!

[@MartinV.]

Great Video

[@Seniorup]

Nice review, I keep running into your vids and they're always presented well. Would you recommend an amateur upgrade to the r6 mkii from an RP? I got into photography with the RP and love it but it's FPS robs me of good action shorts very frequently.

[@dkirk335]

Great Video as usual. Does the electronic shutter effect my canon R7 the same way as in the R6ii?

[@youknowwho9247]

Don't know what gear and settings were used for that short moderation piece of Chris telling us that the SD card died, but it's by far the nicest shot in the video.

[@marinrealestatephotography]

Maybe it was Chris filming with his trusty Olympus E-M1 MK III (the camera he uses for the fly fishing channel).

[@williamgoss4691]

A great review, and by the sound of it, a very good camera too. Thz.

[@bobuk5722]

Hi Jordan and Chris. It happens! Forget to put second card in and first card realises and thinks "I'll have some fun here" - and gives up the ghost. Odd way of having fun but that's technology for you. The well known Murphy's Law. Thanks for the follow up, this one is on my list of replacement cameras. PS - I thought it was cold here!

[@marinrealestatephotography]

What's the dynamic range and low light capabilities of the R6 II when shooting 4K 60p??? Does it have dual native ISO?

[@tangobase7]

You guys rock

[@ziginox]

7:57 Yup, that human detect AF is really doing wonders, Jordan! 😛

[@omerkhan6802]

Awesome camera

[@rockbrigaderavens]

Very good review summary, I already own the Sony A7 IV but still have too much of a love for Canon to retire my EOS 80D, I would like to see what the camera does for the new Airplane and Train autofocusing as I haven't seen this reviewed yet?

[@babymixswing2269]

Can it completely solve the problem of jelly around the picture and picture swing under wide angle. Can you produce some cost-effective lenses that are easy to use and light?

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Gordon addressed my biggest problem with the original R6: the AF occasionally just drifts off me for no discernable reason. I chalked it up to poor low light performance because it happens most often when my face is in shadow, and I'm dark-skinned to begin with. But the R6 II looks way better in multiple areas, including the AF performance. I really must consider upgrading, unless the R5 II comes out later this year as rumored.

[@thetechiephotographer]

It looks like it still back focusing - kzbin.infoUgkxMOZ4vosoo6AMKAG2TiNB5pRdOaGCW0BL

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

@@thetechiephotographer I spotted that too. Right before that cut. I wonder what the rest of that particular clip looked like. How quickly did it re-acquire him? It was apparently back on him right after that. Recently my R6 left me and just stayed lost until the end of the clip. I was pissed during editing, but I was stuck with the footage.

[@osamaalali2547]

It won’t drift in face only mode.

[@fotomaton7852]

@@JohnDrummondPhoto As explained by Jordan in this review there is a new mode "subject only" that is derived from the cinema line and will stick to your face no matter what and won't back focus even if you leave the frame. Honestly this feature alone is worth the upgrade. Not even R5 has this feature. And none of the competition either.

[@tptrsn]

What was the intro footage and other non-R6ii footage shot on?

[@dannyli9424]

Nice review, I was just surprised you guys were not using both SD cards for a back up purpose as you are really shooting for commercial use, even with my personal " stuffs" I always save my raw to both cards, and I had 3 memory card failed in my last 20+ years of digital photo life, not " a lot" but enough to cause me big enough headache if I didn't use dual card/back up.

[@andreshiwa7442]

Thanks for providing another very useful video. Can you inform which camera was used to film this episode ? Greetings from Brazil

[@johnclay7644]

good 9.5min review on R6 mk II

[@joeaddison]

Hmm seems like you should have been shooting to 2 memory cards at that same time. Thanks for the super in depth follow up, super helpful now that the camera is commonly found in stock!

[@dipankarchatterjee9416]

Chris and Jordan good job as always! With new announcements of R8, R50 is Canon the only manufacturer with a full mirrorless line up except of course something like a R1? There are rumors of a new R5 Mark II.

[@denniemullete]

camera this day, 99% is way above what average even enthusiast needed ... this really a though jobs for marketing to sell a new camera for a slight improvement ... and you guys dig deep just to search the different. Great jobs guys.

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

The market has changed. Today video capabilities are more important than photography.

[@denniemullete]

@@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas it does change, maybe your case need more video, but for me, photo is still my main sell jobs.

[@erroljs1]

Finally the final review!

[@Drumming_Monkey]

I'm personally using the Sony A7 III for my private photography and video. It's still an amazing camera. But since we need a new alrounder atwork I will buy the R6 Mark II to have a workhorse in both photography and video. Should be good, can't wait to test it out.

[@whygamewhy]

Lens

[@Paul_Rohde]

Would you be able to do a mini review of the Fujifilm X-H2S firmware 3 update for further improved autofocusing? Or maybe the review could wait until that update trickles down to the X-H2/X-T5 sensor systems. I wonder if they've updated IBIS video behavior?

[@gerardferry3958]

I thought the camera had 2 slots or did they both corrupt

[@matthewrakola]

weird how the AF just lost it at the 7:58 mark. It sort of contradicts the reports of the new subject only "stickiness" of the AF.

[@jamescook5931]

What camera did you shoot this video with? What lens did you use? Is this a better camera for stills and video than the r5?

[@lovewithoutborder6051]

Waiting for final review for Panasonic S5 Mark II

[@dannydivine7699]

So just exactly how old and well used was that card?? No chance it was related to the R6M2 at all?

[@petrisorcovaciu9974]

Hi,please help with something, I want to buy this camera as i need a more compact camera for our studio and rung and gun, gimbal footage. We have a live streaming setup with an Atem Extreme ISO and 2 Blackmagic 6k Pro cameras. My question is, can i use this camera for live streaming for a few hours? I know there was a 30min limit for recording, i may seen a video with an firmware update which solves the 30 min recording limit. The camera will be connected to the Atem Extreme ISO through HDMI and may or may not record internally depending on needs. Mostly it will only stream through HDMI and the Atem will record all streams. Thank you in advance!

[@Kevon420]

A pretty excellent camera all around - it feels a lot like what the R6 should've been all this time rather than some kind of generational upgrade. That being said, I'll take a mulligan as great as this any day. Even though the EVF isn't HDR so the OVF sim isn't as great as it could be, and they seem afraid of full size HDMI ports...I don't have real complaints for how I'd use this camera day to day as a photographer.

[@rws531]

how did you have issue with sd card corruption when the camera has two card slots?

[@henrycraver2263]

How does the autofocus compare to that of the original R6?

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

For wild life and bird photography does this camera offer a big improvement compared to the eos r?

[@photoenduro]

I have sold my previous gear... and came here because I was hesitating whether to start new with Sony a7iv or R6ii and in the end, I didn't decide anything :)

[@kadragepictures]

How do you compare it to Fuji XH2s?

[@thebentzenable]

Is it 10 bit prores ?

[@ambermodena]

I do photography and videography. Any issues with overheating?

[@existential_]

Does the Electronic shutter dynamic range decrease happen to other non stacked sensors like the A7 IV? I've only heard of rolling shutter and light flicker at lower speeds as disadvantages of Electronic shutter and as mentioned in your A7 IV review video.

[@SuperSuperka]

yes and always did decrese

[@sharontorello]

This was surprising to me as well. Is this true for all non-stacked sensors? ie, the Sony A7iv would have the same issue?

[@Dilsere1]

What camera are you using for filming?

[@yeshuaalbarico7152]

Is the image quality the same to the upcoming r8?

[@myronhensel]

How does this camera do autofocusing in a wedding reception where the dj lights change all the time?

[@dannyli9424]

Chris and Jordan, do you guys plan to have personal channel after the DPReview is closed? love to check out your stuffs for future camera gear release.

[@grekori748]

I recently purchased this Canon R6 Mark II Full Frame Mirrorless Also, Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Lens for Canon EF And Samyang 100mm f/2.8 ED UMC Macro Lens for Canon EF And of course, the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R But when I attach either of these lenses using the adapter of course, nothing happens when I press the Shutter Button. Not even a sound. The camera does not take picture. What am I doing wrong?

[@marcuswend7704]

I like that red jacket Chris! Can you tell me what brand that is? Thank you!

[@niconic6660]

which jacket brand ?

[@Jawad.1]

I'd want a feature built into the camera where one could sign in to the Google account and have the picture uploaded directly to Google Drive as soon as taken. That way, if the card gets corrupted halfway in, the pictures would still be on the Google Drive.

[@johnnymauser7577]

Is this episode entirely shot on the R6ii?

[@sorcererstone3303]

So, am I correct that there is a split decision here (for general photography)? @7:57, Jordan prefers Canon over Panasonic if users prefer a good photographic & video (jack of all trades) camera @8:54, Chris slightly prefers Sony over Canon Also, R6 has weather proof coating right?

[@lavraphilip]

Hey Jordan or chris I’m thinking about getting in to photograph and videography and this will be my first camera that I will buy and one of the things I’ll also use the camera for is to do live streaming which camera do you recommend me to use

[@arditmbrati1724]

7:58 dhe autofocus forgot him and goes in the background than the scene crops 🫣😈

[@akarshkc9329]

Hope canon will allow 3rd party lenses Sigma 85 1.4 for rf mount is a dream

[@Yupthereitism]

Will never happen

[@markshirley01]

Will there be a RF 20mm F1.8 ✅ coming soon, Im covered and can afford to move when this happens.

[@tomscott4438]

The big question; if you own the R6 is the Mark II worth the upgrade?

[@gillesmatheronpro]

Third-party lenses, yes... Canon just shot themselves in both feet with that ultimately stupid decision. That, for me and perhaps some other folks too, is an insult : "You are locked now you gave us your money, for you'll have to give us more for that camera "satellite" gear. No choice, this is us or nothing.". I am a consumer, not a puppet or a cash machine, I want to enjoy handing my money as much as I enjoy using the things I purchased with that money I gave. They may have the bestest of the best specs in the whole Universe, they also have to respect their clients. They are not above ethics. Very pleased to see you bringing the important factor of dynamic range varying between shooting mecanic or electronic. This is often shadowed by those big numbers... more against better. Do I always want more, if is gets so "not better" that I lose what I've been working for ? Climbing this mountain to exhaustion, framing this athlete from the best position possible, composing this artistic image, lighting this face so it shines "beauty"... is what I do. So, if you spoil my image without telling me, just to give me more images when all I need is better images. And before anyone argues "action", yes I used to be a pro sport photographer, with years of publishing in many magazines from Australia to France and USA. So I can taste a great action camera when I see one, and I can appreciate it whenever I need it. But manufacturers need being crystal clear, and a 2-stop drop in quality is not a detail anymore. It matters. And you showed it the way it needs to be. Great review, bravo !!!

[@markgamba4495]

I heard that the R6mii overheats has that problem been resolved???

[@Hodenkat]

I don't know if, as a hobbyist, I would jump from Canon to Sony at this point. I'm not too heavily invested in Canon at this point but the thought of selling all my gear to go with Sony is a real grind. That said, if Canon opens the RF mount to 3rd party makers I will order the R6 Mk-II to replace my R7. Until then, I will continue to enjoy my R7 with it's limitations. I would like to move to full frame, but it's not urgent for me.

[@benjhaisch]

Now I just want a video on SD card corruption 😬

[@daveybphotography]

As far as loss of dynamic range and bit depth? with electronic shutter: Is that the same for first curtain shooting? Same on the R5? Thanks

[@zegzbrutal]

No. All Canons except R3, only drops to 12bit RAW when going for electronic shutter

[@adamwhittingham86]

Mr Bean... 6:37 I've rewatched that too many times 🤣

[@Nader.subaih]

Please make a comparison between R6II and S5II for video, espcialy the 4K 60p which is important

[@Yupthereitism]

S5ii is way better

[@stevetimko1461]

What brand of SD card?

[@volkom91]

Both A7 mk4 and S5 mk2 crops in to aps-c in 4k 60, which means you need a different set of lenses for photo than video. The Canon is the only true hybrid here, no crop, one set of lenses for everything you might want to do

[@mbvglider]

@Shariq Ahmed🌎💙 With the S5 Mk II and A7 IV, when you shoot 4K60, it punches in on the shot and forces a 1.5x crop on your image. If you're fine with your camera zooming in when you take 4K60, then you don't need a second set of lenses. For many shooters, this is not a big deal because many people shoot in 4K60 for slow motion, and most slow motion shots tend to be close-ups. However, if you are shooting for 60 fps delivery or you just want to take slow motion wide angle shots, then you need extra wide angle lenses for 4K60. That's why you need a second set of lenses.

[@mjgbirder]

Very helpful review :-) What causes the difference in dynamic range and (recovered (?)) shadow noise when shooting with the electronic shutter vs the manual shutter? M

[@mjgbirder]

I did a quick Google search of my own question. It like some cameras, I guess including this one, record RAW files as 10 bit files when using the electronic shutter and higher bit files when using the mechanical shutter in order to cope with the amount data transferred by the higher frames per second of the electronic shutter. This would explain the difference in image quality… M

[@marinrealestatephotography]

@@mjgbirder Ahhh... so it isn't necessarily that it is an electronic shutter, but just the fact that it has to have a very quick readout speed (to avoid issues), which translates to lower bit depth. Thanks.

[@sharontorello]

@@mjgbirder Ahhh. Thanks. That would make sense. I've just never heard of that before. I'm assuming this would be true on Sony cameras as well?

[@markshirley01]

We are spoilt for choice, hopefully Nikon will start competing soon with a Z8 or Z6III.

[@TMM6900]

Did you shoot dual memory card?

[@panzer948]

hmm, I would think the Canon would be better for general photography over the Sony due to the Speedlite/flash system, which I have always gotten great results with DSLRs (sorry I am on here trying to decide which mirrorless option to move up to). When shooting portraits or general photography, I almost always use my Speedlite for fill.

[@quang5DCameras]

Notice the design and way it holds this R6MKII looks like the one the I owned 5DMKII DSLR 15 years ago back then. After all these years, Canon never want to change it looks to Retro style like Fujifilm or Nikon Zf or Sony A7 series...