The Canon EOS R6 Mark II full-frame mirrorless, RF mount camera records 40fps, low-light AF, 4K UHD video, and 6K RAW to external devices, for hybrid video and stills shooters.
The new Canon EOS R6 Mark II full-frame mirrorless camera achieves 40fps, low-light AF, 4K UHD video and 6K RAW external device recording, built on the RF Mount. Designed for hybrid video and stills shooters, the camera aims for a combination of performance, speed, stability and professional filmmaking features.
Imaging and smart tracking
Using the same DIGIC X processor system built into the R6 with a new 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, the EOS R6 Mark II supports Dual Pixel CMOS AF II. It can track subjects to keep them sharp as they move through a scene. Using deep-learning and AI, it recognises people, vehicles including aircraft, trains, cars and motorbikes, and animals such as horses, zebras, dogs, cats and birds. The type of subject to be detected can be chosen in the menu, or using the new Auto option depending on the photographer’s typical applications.
Using eye tracking, users can specify which eye, left or right, should be given focus priority, and when the eyes can’t be detected, the EOS R6 Mark II focuses on the face in shot instead. Even if a person turns away for a moment, their head continues to be tracked, and if the head isn’t visible the camera will go on to track the body.
The EOS R6 Mark II has an IS performance of up to 8 stops co-ordinated control image stabilisation. ‘Stops’ here refer to exposure with shutter speed for a given lens – in this case, the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM at 105mm focal distance in yaw/pitch direction – the user can take the shutter speed 8 stops slower and still achieve a sharp image, compared to the same conditions without stabilisation. Using the combined optical and in-body IS, the camera can shoot long exposures, handheld with clarity and sharpness. Photographers can also capture the natural lighting in very low light conditions, focusing in light levels as low as -6.5EV, with the ability to shoot up to ISO 102,400 allowing a shorter exposure time to help avoid noise and camera movement.
High Speed
The EOS R6 Mark II is Canon’s fastest EOS camera. It can shoot continuously at up to 40fps – with 20fps and 5fps options with electronic shutter – and up to 12fps mechanically, capturing fleeting moments that may not be perceptible to the human eye. Compared to the EOS R6, the new sensor reduces rolling shutter, allowing the camera’s electronic shutter to be used to freeze fast-moving objects.
The EOS R6 Mark II starts recording action before actual shooting starts, with 0.5 second pre-shooting in RAW Burst mode – to help capture unpredictable subjects, such as sports, children or wildlife. The RAW Burst mode shoots continuously at 30fps for up to 191 frames, recording every image in a single CR3 file, all with AF tracking. Individual images can be extracted from this roll using Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software, or in camera, and saved as individual JPEG, HEIF or RAW files.
Recording – 6K Video Oversampled to UHD
Photographers can use the full width of the sensor to shoot UHD 60p, with simultaneous Dual Pixel CMOS AF II focusing. All 4K footage is created by oversampling the sensor’s 6K output to increase image quality. For higher performance, the camera outputs 6K RAW via its HDMI out, which can be recorded on an Atomos Ninja V+ recorder in ProRes RAW. This provides more detail, as well as the ability to adjust parameters such as white balance in post-production.
Similar to the RAW Burst mode, creators can activate movie pre-recording mode of 3 or 5 seconds – when on, video is continuously streamed through the camera in standby enabling the capture of action before ‘record’ is pressed – convenient for critical moments or unpredictable scenes.
The EOS R6 Mark II has an upgraded circuit design allowing longer recording times, over 40 minutes of oversampled 4K 60p recording or up to 6 hours at 4k 30p, depending on ambient temperature, memory card space and battery life. The earlier 29.59 maximum individual clip recording time has now been removed.
The camera can also output slow-motion footage with AF support using Full HD at up to 180fps. During movie shooting, false colour can be used as a guide to exposure adjustment, useful in conditions that are inclined to produce overexposed highlights. HDR support is via PQ and Canon Log 3. When used with supported lenses – which includes a number of RF lenses after firmware updates – the EOS R6 Mark II also uses focus-breathing correction, enhancing cinematic looks.
Content Delivery Connectivity
With updated Bluetooth v.5 and Wi-Fi (5GHz), the R6 Mark II can be connected to a smartphone and networks allowing high-speed file sharing and FTP/FTPS/SFTP transfer – making it possible to edit and share when on the move. The camera can also be remotely controlled using the Camera Connect and EOS Utility apps, tethered to a PC, Mac or smartphone via Wi-Fi or high-speed USB-C. For semi-professional photographers and content creators, the camera supports automatic transfer of image files from the device to the image.canon cloud platform to share and print images.
Camera Connect has a v.3 updatethat makes the app a central portal, allowing users to access the Print app, image.canon and other Canon software and services. Canon users can connect their camera to a smartphone or tablet to act as a remote control, or fine tune images, download or share them while on the move and download firmware updates.
The EOS R6 Mark II can be used as a webcam on PC and Mac computers running video-call apps such as Skype, Zoom and Teams, without having to install additional software. This plug-and-play capability is powered by industry-standard USB Video Class (UVC) and USB Audio Class (UAC) drivers that are built into Windows and MacOS operating systems. The camera can improve on image quality compared with standard computer webcams, for a better look during online video-calls.
Accessories and Viewfinders
It is built with a multi-function shoe with an interface supporting a new series of Canon accessories, including the new SPEEDLITE EL-5 flash, that can be used without cables, and in some cases without batteries.
The body has dust and weather sealing on all external doors and inputs. The high resolution 3.69M dot EVF supports photos or video, refreshing at 120fps, and the Optical View Finder view assist feature gives a natural-looking display retaining detail in shadows and highlights with good visibility in dark areas and gradation. The EOS R6 Mark II is also compatible with the same LP-E6NH batteries and BG-R10 battery grip as the EOS R6 – battery life is increased when using the LCD screen. www.canon.com.au
