Canon 6D Mark II Announced: Here's everything we know

This morning, Canon finally took the wraps off the long-awaited Canon 6D Mark II DSLR.

This post will be updated continuously throughout the day as more details emerge.

Full Specs

Canon 6D Mark II	Jim's Reaction
26.2 megapixel full-frame sensor	26 megapixels is decent. It's nothing to get excited about, but adequate for most uses.
Dual Pixel live view autofocus with 80% sensor coverage	Helpful for focusing in live view or for video, and really nice that the points aren't all bunched up in the center like on the original 6d.
45 All cross-type AF points	THANK YOU, Canon. The focus system on the original 6D stunk. However, DP Review is reporting that these 45 points are all bunched up in the center because the focus system is adapted from an APS-C camera. You'll get good AF coverage in live view, but not through the viewfinder. This is somewhat disappointing.
6.5 frames per second	Decent.
ISO 40,000 ISO native; 102,400 ISO interpolated	This is only a slight difference from the original 6D in terms of numbers, but you can never judge low noise on specs alone.
1080p at 60p	This is absurd, Canon. A $500 cell phone can do 4k video. $200 cameras on eBay can do 4k video. ALL competitor cameras can do 4k video. It's time for a change, Canon.
3" Fully articulating touch screen LCD	SO AWESOME to see a fully swiveling LCD screen. I wish every camera had this. Also, the touch screen works very well on other Canon cameras, so I'm hoping it will be the same on this one.
Wifi, bluetooth, and GPS	I love seeing GPS in cameras. Canon is doing better than the other manufacturers with this.
144 x 110 x 74mm	This is a good size for a camera. If you're coming from an APS-C camera, you'll probably find it a bit bulky, and if you're used to shooting the flagship DSLRs, you'll find it a little more trim.
765 grams	Very similar in size and weight to the Nikon D750, and the original 6D.
No built-in flash	This is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. I never use the built-in flash and I think it's just another way for water to get in the camera if there's an opening for a pop-up.
Digic 7 processor	This should provide quick navigation and processing of images, as well as a decent burst rate.
98% Viewfinder coverage	This is a HUGE red flag for me. I'm surprised to see that Canon didn't come out with 100% viewfinder coverage in this camera. It's VERY difficult to compose a shot when you can't get an accurate look at your framing in the viewfinder. This is a big miss.
7560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor	It's all marketing speak, but I would imagine it would be similar to other Canon cameras.
No focus peaking	Canon is intentionally removing video features from its cameras to push video makers to its cash-cow high-end cinema cameras.
Less dynamic range than the 5D Mark IV	This is according to a Canon rep as reported to DPReview. This fact is hardly surprising, but at the same time it makes me wonder HOW MUCH worse than the 5D Mark IV?
Not ISO Invariant	Like other Canon cameras, this sensor is not ISO invariant
4k Timelapse Mode	You can make 4k timelapse video from shooting stills in the camera, but no normal timelapse video.
Dust and water resistant	I definitely need this in cameras. I'm always shooting in wet environments, it seems. Nice to see.
Single SD card slot	Argh!
No headphone jack	Argh!

Compared to the Original Canon 6D

In my opinion, the biggest upgrade from the 6D to the 6D II is autofocus. The original 6D had an inadequate autofocus system for what was otherwise a very capable camera. It only had 11 autofocus points and those points were far too bunched toward the center of the frame to even follow the rule of thirds. Second, in my mind, is the vari-angle touch screen on the 6D Mark II, which allows for quicker movement through the menus and shooting the camera from any angle with ease.

It will take until August to see the camera in its full glory, but the specs-only look appears to be rather underwhelming when you consider that it has been 5 years since the original 6D was released, and the 6D Mark II really only adds a few moderate improvements. However, we obviously haven't used the camera yet. It's always possible that it will have tremendous dynamic range or low noise capabilities; however, those hopes are somewhat dim considering the fact that Canon is not touting any extraordinary image quality factor with this camera.

Although this camera doesn't appear to be a massive departure from the Canon status quo, it is sure to impress all the same. It appears to be a very capable camera. Given that the original 6D was the third most popular camera shot by readers of Improve Photography, I'm quite certain that the same will be true of this version.

Original Canon 6D	Canon 6D Mark II	Jim's Reaction
20.2 megapixels	26.2 megapixels	26 megapixels is decent. It's nothing to get excited about, but adequate for most uses.
No dual pixel	Dual Pixel CMOS AF	Helpful
11 point AF	45 Cross-type AF points	THANK YOU, Canon. The focus system on the original 6D stunk.
4.4 frames per second	6.5 frames per second	Decent.
ISO 25,600 native; 102,400 interpolated	ISO 40,000 ISO native; 102,400 ISO interpolated	Ho hum. It's nice, but doesn't look to be a huge bump. We'll see when the actual images come out.
1080p only	1080p only	I think all of us are wondering how long Canon will keep doing this before they lose more video customers to Sony, Panasonic, and Nikon.
3" fixed LCD	3" Fully swiveling LCD	SO AWESOME to see a fully swiveling LCD screen. I wish every camera had this. Unfortunately, many are just tiltable.
Wifi, GPS	Wifi, bluetooth, and GPS	Canon is doing a good job with putting GPS in more of their cameras. THANK YOU!
144 x 110 x 70mm	144 x 110 x 74mm	New version is almost identical, but 4mm deeper
760 grams	765 grams	This is almost identical to the size and weight of the Nikon competitor D750.

Pricing and Availability

The camera will be shipping in August and pre-orders are available right now. The price for the body only is $1,999–because you know it's cheaper if it's a dollar less than $2 grand, right?

Pre-Order from Amazon (Not available yet. Probably later today)

Pre-Order from B&H Photo Video

Pre-Order from Adorama

Canon announced that this camera has “HDR Video” features. There is a sample video below showing off the feature. I'm very surprised to see them release this video. It's obviously flickering between exposures throughout the shot, and the HDR mode seems to do very little. It's basically just “highlight protection” in video mode. Also, notice how the doorway loses shadow detail in the shot (even though highlight detail is brought back slightly).

Terrance Emerson

June 29, 2017 at 1:15 PM

I’m getting the idea that Canon will NEVER get it right. I have several Nikons and several Canons, and a stack of pro lenses for each.

Here’s just a few usability advantages of MY personal high end Nikons over my personal Canons:

Depth of field preview, right hand easy find. Its been in the same position for 60 years.

Bright heads up displays through Nikon finders typically show two or three times more options than Canons, most accessible with right hand, so you don’t have to pull the camera away from the eye and squint over reading glasses onto the LCD display trying to see details almost invisible in harsh light.

Nikon’s power switch is around the shutter release so it’s EASY to find. Totally intuitive. Sony was smart enough to say screw it, it’s a great idea so we’ll use it too. If you own ONE Nikon, you know how to turn on and off ALL Nikons (and Sonys too). Canon keeps moving theirs around trying desperately to get it right by ANY other alternative than the Nikon/Sony approach.

Finder grid lines on Nikon are activated by simple electronic menu settings. Canon forced me to BUY an expensive ground glass and struggle to install it with special tools in a clean room setting. Stupid 50 year old engineering they copied from Nikon’s first F models in the 1960’s.

For those that prefer a pro or custom eye cup, you have to struggle with an awkward slip off with Canon. Nikon’s SCREW in, AND diopters and prescription glass are easily available and install positively in seconds. Another smart feature Canon won’t employ simply because it’s a ‘Nikon’ thing.

There’s much more and Canon knows all this. People have complained for years. They’re just too stubborn and stuck on their own name to really improve these issues.

That said, Canon does build good glass and solid cameras with great electronics and photographic capabilities. Unfortunately, IMHO, the ones’ I own are not that smartly designed to use for actual photography.

Carlos

July 4, 2017 at 4:19 AM

canon is full of sh** today.. i am a canon user since the A1.. but the current management is a bunch of a-holes. yes in short term they make shareholders happy.. but they damage the brand reputation.

inovation is practically limited to DPAF… you get better bang for the buck when buying other brands.

Bill Claff

July 10, 2017 at 10:30 PM

Early indications are that the dynamic range is a bit shy of the 6D; about 1/2 stop at low ISO
You can see an interactive chart at
http://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/PDR.htm#Canon%20EOS%206D,Canon%20EOS%206D%20Mark%20II
This really isn’t surprising given the increased number of pixels, increased frame rate, and addition of the Dual Pixel Auto Focus (DPAF)
But, many people are upset; their cup is half empty.
For those who want the increased resolution, frame rate, better AF etc.; their cups are half-full.
No camera is perfect.