Canon EOS R6 New Firmware Update & Reviews– The Canon EOS R6 may be a 20MP full-frame mirrorless camera aimed toward enthusiast photographers and videographers. It sits below the R5 very much like the EOS 6Ds did beneath the 5D DSLRs, and offers a well-rounded combination of features for both disciplines.
It’s also one among the primary enthusiast-level cameras to shoot both stills and video which will exploit the capabilities of the newest high-dynamic range displays. However its tendency to hit its temperature limits take the sting off its video capabilities.
Like the original EOS R, the R6 may be a full-frame camera but with a newly developed 20 MP CMOS sensor, evidently an equivalent or similar sensor that’s utilized in the top-of-the-line EOS-1DX Mark III. it’s one abreast of that camera, though: a bit like the R5, the R6 has in-body stabilization which will reduce camera shake by up to five stops, or up to eight stops with an RF lens with optical stabilization.
Autofocus consists of the upgraded dual-pixel AF II system with 1053 AF points that cover the whole width and height of the frame, a minimum of for stills.
With fast readout from the 20 MP sensor and an identical processor thereto of the EOS-1DX Mark III, the R6 is capable of continuous shooting at up to 12 fps using the mechanical shutter. this will be expanded to twenty fps using the electronic shutter option, and both options support continuous AF.
The Canon EOS R6 has an OLED electronic viewfinder with 3.69 million dots, a magnification of 0.76x, and 23 mm eyepoint. At the rear, it’s a 3-inch fully articulating touch-sensitive LCD with 1.62 million dots. it’s solidly built with a mostly polycarbonate body, complete with weather sealing.
The R6 can capture on the brink of full-width UHD 4K video at up to 60p, saved as either 10-bit 4:2:2 H.265, or 8-bit H.264 footage, and both C-Log and HDR PQ options are available. The camera also features dual SD memory card slots and has both Wi-Fi with Bluetooth for wireless camera control and image sharing.
The departure from the first EOS R is vast. When it involves features, Canon didn’t just match a number of the simplest cameras on the market, it managed to exceed most of them (as you’ll see further down within the review). The addition of the 5-axis IBIS was a really important move, as that was one feature that was already present on all other major cameras on the market from Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, and Fujifilm. As you’ll see further down during this review, the IBIS system on both the EOS R5 and R6 is great , arguably one among the simplest out there.
Canon has always understood that high-performance lenses must accompany a robust camera system, and it put quite little bit of R&D towards developing professional-grade RF mount lenses. Since a replacement mount presents opportunities to completely rethink lens design concepts, Canon engineers managed to release such groundbreaking lenses because the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, both of which are the littlest 70-200mm zooms ever released. Canon has already indicated its primary specialise in the mirrorless lens ecosystem, with more RF lenses (including super-telephoto) scheduled to be released within the coming years. In short, the longer term for the RF mount looks very bright.
Canon EOS R6 performance
The Canon EOS R6 attained a comparatively high DXOMARK sensor rating with a results of 90 points that places it in 31st place overall in our database of full-frame and MF sensors.
The R6 sensor achieves a comparatively strong response in our Portrait (color depth) category, measured at 24.2 bits at its highest when set to ISO 100. It also features a excellent maximum dynamic range of 13.4 EV when measured at base (ISO 100), and it remains excellent throughout the mid and high ISO range.
While the Canon EOS R6 doesn’t have a BSI-CMOS sensor like some rivals, it nevertheless performs alright in our low-light ISO (Sports) category, with a computed sensitivity value of 3394 ISO. Although this value can’t be set in-camera, the closest equivalent setting of ISO 3200 meets our low-light/high ISO image quality parameters, which is predicated on a mixture of minimum dynamic range, color depth, and signal-to-noise (SNR) 18% values.
Canon EOS R6 Image Quality
Canon’s choice of 20 MP sensor seems slightly at odds with rivals’ 24 MP sensors during this mid-range category, but it’s not that different in spatial resolution and helps with fast readout and with keeping noise levels manageable.
Be that because it may, BSI-tech utilized in sensors within the Sony A9 and A7 III models, the Nikon Z6, and therefore the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 keeps those models ahead in sensor dynamics, and indeed they occupy the very best rankings for sensors under 30 MP.
Against other models in Canon’s lineup, the R6’s sensor performance is extremely almost like that of the EOS-1D X Mark III. Further, the familiar pixel count of 20 MP suggests that Canon uses an equivalent sensor or a variant of it within the EOS R6. The R6 has just 0.2 EV less dynamic range at ISO 400 or lower and gains just 0.06 EV in our computed low-light ISO (Sports) sensitivity value of 3394 ISO (vs 3248 ISO for the EOS-1D X Mark III, which is negligible).
Meanwhile, the general sensor dynamics of the EOS R6 are like the similar 30 MP sensors within the EOS R and therefore the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. While not class-leading just yet, improvements in Canon’s sensor tech lately is delivering solid advances in dynamic range, noise levels, and color accuracy.
Canon EOS R6 In-depth comparisons
As a mid-range model, the Canon EOS R6 is pitched at an equivalent enthusiasts’ market because the 24 MP Panasonic Lumix S1 and Nikon Z 6 models, albeit the pixel count of 20 MP looks a touch on the low side by today’s standards. That said, it’s evidently quite enough for many applications, like weddings and portraiture, still lifes and press work, to not mention sports and action. The DXOMARK overall score and sub-scores give only an overview , though, so we’ll take a glance at each sub-score successively to ascertain where the EOS R6 sensor’s strengths lie.
Canon EOS R6 Portrait (color depth)
Maximum color depth is over 24 bits at ISO 50 and ISO 100 (the results overlap on our graph), and it continues to remain above 22 bits up to ISO 800, which is superb . However, color depth is persistently around 1 bit but the Lumix DC-S1 and therefore the Nikon Z6 from ISO 50 to 1600. Technically, meaning the 2 rivals can distinguish nuances between colors more readily, but it’s impossible you’d notice a difference between images. a minimum of that’s the case when normalized to a 8×12” print at 300 dpi; when comparing measurements derived from RAW files displayed on a display screen at 100% magnification, the difference is even less.
Both the Lumix DC-S1 and Nikon Z6 are very close throughout their sensitivity ranges, but their lower measured ISO sensitivity values from ISO 3200 upwards favors a far better color response anyway.
While the lower color sensitivity hints at slightly higher noise levels within the Canon EOS R6, manufacturers have some leeway when it involves optimizing one parameter over another.
Canon EOS R6 Landscape (dynamic range)
Dynamic range is a crucial metric in sensor performance, however, and therefore the maximum dynamic range is quoted at base, where noise levels are lowest. If you’re a sports or action photographer, then the dynamic range is simply as important at higher ISOs — perhaps more so, as latest sensors perform well at low ISOs.
Above base ISO (100 ISO), the Canon EOS R6 sensor continues to supply competitive dynamic range up to and including ISO 400, where it even features a slight (+0.5 EV) advantage over its rivals. Moving above that, the Lumix DC-S1 and therefore the Nikon Z6 have the marginally better response up to ISO 3200, but there’s hardly anything in it. And within the ultra-high range of ISO settings there’s nothing to differentiate them from each other .
All three during this comparison maintain a dynamic home in more than 10 EV up to ISO 6400 and stay within our 6 EV minimum at ISO 102,400.
Canon EOS R6 Sports (low-light ISO)
Noise levels are alright controlled on the Canon EOS R6 at mid and high ISOs, where it’s a near-identical SNR to the Lumix DC-S1 and therefore the Nikon Z6. From our test results, there’s nothing to separate these rivals supported measurement data alone. At lower ISOs below ISO 400, it’s more noticeable and therefore the two rivals have the slight edge, a minimum of when normalized to a typical 8×12” inch print at 300 dpi (shown on the graph below). If we compare data derived from RAW files displayed on a display screen at 100x magnification, then the differences are even less noticeable.
We compute the Sports (low-light ISO) score by taking the very best ISO value at 30 dB, while also maintaining a minimum dynamic range of 9 EV and a minimum color depth of 18 bits. altogether this, the Canon EOS R6 sensor is equally the equal of the sensors within the Nikon Z6 and therefore the Lumix DC-S1.
Conclusion
Canon’s decision to launch the EOS R6 alongside the more intriguing EOS R5 may have kept the previous out of the limelight somewhat, but it’s a highly capable camera with competitive specifications. Its body stabilization, super-fast burst rates, solid video specs, and useful dual-pixel AF II all add up to a really well-rounded offering.
While the 20 MP sensor could seem an odd choice, this is often a variant of the one found within the flagship EOS-1D X Mark III, and therefore the results are practically identical. It performs well across the board with excellent dynamic range in the least ISOs. increase that the sensor’s good color and low noise, and therefore the Canon EOS R6 looks set to be a firm favorite among a good range of photographers who work across many various genres.