The Canon EOS 6D Mark II: A Camera that Misses the Mark
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II arrived to a somewhat reserved response from the press, not because it was bad per se, but because it simply didn't do enough to impress. Many of its specs looked impressive compared to the original 6D, such as the new 45-point autofocus system, dual pixel autofocus in Live View, and faster six-and-a-half frames per second continuous shooting. However, this is not a new or unique technology, as Canon had already implemented similar features with the original 6D four and a half years prior.
The real reason for the camera's limited excitement was its lack of innovation. With so many other cameras on the market offering impressive specs, the 6D Mark II merely caught up to the rest of Canon's product range. This is not good enough if you want this camera to last another four and a half years without feeling outdated.
The only new component that sets the 6D Mark II apart from its predecessor is the 26 megapixel full-frame sensor. However, as many reviewers have noted, it doesn't exactly live up to expectations. The dynamic range has not improved significantly, and in fact, is worse than some of Canon's own APS-C cameras, such as the EOS 80D. This may be a reason for concern, especially since the camera was expected to improve upon its predecessor.
However, for those who don't often work in high contrast scenes, the lack of dynamic range may not be an issue. The RAW files are still flexible enough to create some pleasing results, even if they're not exceptional. Pushing things too far, however, and you'll likely encounter noise. On the other hand, the 6D Mark II performs remarkably well in high ISO situations, getting closer to the competition as you ramp up the ISO. This makes it a great option for photographers who commonly shoot in low-light conditions, such as interior wedding receptions.
The camera's image quality is also commendable, but only for its lack of flaws. It offers some usability improvements over the Nikon D750, such as dual pixel autofocus and a fully articulating touch-enabled screen. However, this is not enough to make up for the fact that the video mode on this camera is essentially just equal to that on the much older Nikon D750. There's no 1080p at up to 60 frames per second without any of the pro-level functions you'll find on cameras like Sony's or even some of Canon's other DSLRs.
The absence of a headphone jack is also a notable omission, making video an afterthought. The video quality itself is subpar, even for a 1080p camera. While it's easy to say that this camera doesn't target video shooters, it's still annoying that Canon continues to drag its feet when it comes to implementing high-end video features across its product line.
Despite these limitations, the 6D Mark II is still a well-made camera. The weather sealing is great, and the battery life is an impressive 1200 shots on a single charge. It's also super responsive, with both the viewfinder and live view autofocus systems being leagues ahead of the original 6D.
However, for Canon shooters who are looking to upgrade to their first full-frame body, there's just no strong argument in favor of the 6D Mark II. The Nikon D750 and Sony A7 III can also be picked up with their respective battery grips for just $1,500, making them more compelling alternatives. If you're not a Canon shooter, these other options are definitely worth considering.
In conclusion, while the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is still a great buy at its current price of $1,600, with the vertical battery grip included, it's hard to recommend it without caveats. Its lack of innovation and subpar video capabilities make it a less attractive option than other cameras on the market.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enah the canon eos 6d mark 2 the long-awaited successor to the original 6d the diet soda of full-frame DSLR z' announced in June of 2017 hold up we know this camera came out a year ago and yes this review is late we actually got to test a pre-production 60 mark 2 in Yellowstone prior to the official announcement last year and we gave it a full hands-on write-up at that time however because of reasons we weren't able to get a final production version of the camera in hand until now hence this rather tardy review but there is actually still a good reason to talk about the 60 mark - this long into its life Sony for example just announced the a7 3 not too long ago which basically rewrote the book on what an entry-level full-frame camera should be and as for the 60 mark 2 itself you can now pick it up for just $1,600 so four hundred dollars off the launch price and Canon is throwing in the vertical battery grip for free so it's not too shabby but is it enough to actually consider buying this camera let's take a look the 60 mark 2 arrived to a somewhat reserved response from the press not so much because it was bad necessarily but because it simply didn't do enough good on paper while many of the specs looked impressive compared to the original 6d like the new 45 point autofocus system dual pixel autofocus in Live View and faster six-and-a-half frames per second continuous shooting there was nothing that was really new or unique compared to other Canon cameras we had seen all of this tech before the 6d came out way back in 2012 so the 60 mark 2 arrived some four and a half years after it and it merely caught up to the rest of canons product range and that's just not good enough if you want this thing to be able to last another four and a half years so there is one component that's entirely new and that's the 26 megapixel full-frame sensor but as you've probably heard already from other reviewers it doesn't exactly have the best reputation a lot of people are talking about how the dynamic range has not improved at all and is in fact worse than a four-year-old nikon d750 and worse even than some of canons own aps-c cameras so cameras using a smaller sensor like the eos 80 D is canon embarrassed because of this maybe is it a reason to not buy the camera though well that depends here's the thing if you don't often work in high contrast scenes then the lack of dynamic range may not be an issue for you in less extreme situations we still found the RAW files to be flexible enough to create some pleasing results but push things too far and yeah you're going to run into noise but many people may actually benefit more from the 60 mark twos pretty impressive high ISO capability it performs much closer to the competition as you ramp up the ISO so if you commonly shoot in low-light like interior wedding receptions this might not be a bad camera perhaps were kinder than most in our appraisal of the 60 mark to s image quality but there is a catch here even where it's strong it's merely keeping pace with the competition but where it's weak it definitely falls behind it offers some usability improvements over the nikon d750 in the form of dual pixel autofocus and a fully articulating touch enabled screen but that's really it while dual pixel autofocus would seem to make a lot of sense for video the video mode on this camera is essentially just equal to that on again the much older nikon d750 it's 1080p at up to 60 frames per second without any of the pro level functions you'll find on the likes of Sony's cameras or even some of canons other DSLRs the 60 mark 2 doesn't even have a headphone jack so video is definitely an afterthought here and the video quality itself is well it's below par even for a 1080p camera sure it's easy to just say this camera doesn't target video shooters but it's still annoying that Canon continues to drag its feet when it comes to implementing high-end video features across its product line but again the 60 mark - is not a bad camera it's really well-made the weather sealing is great and it has a 1200 shot battery life it's also super responsive and both the viewfinder and live view autofocus systems are leagues ahead of the original 6d and while yeah the dynamic range might be an issue for you the high ISO performance is admirable but there's just nothing about this camera that is unique or special still for Canon shooters especially those looking to upgrade to their first full frame body the 60 mark to is a great buy right now at $1,600 with the vertical battery grip included unfortunately for Canon both the nikon d750 and the sony a7 - can also be picked up with their respective battery grips for just $1,500 so if you're not a Canon shooter you have some really compelling alternatives and there's just no strong argument that's gonna sway you in the direction of the 60 mark - and if you have an extra $500 to burn well then the newer Sony a7 3 is basically going to put you into a different league of camera but for Canon shooters the 60 mark 2 does still bring a lot of value to the table for its current price and so long as you know the limitations going into it you'll be happy with it for more on the 60 mark - make sure you head to digital Transcom to read our full reviewah the canon eos 6d mark 2 the long-awaited successor to the original 6d the diet soda of full-frame DSLR z' announced in June of 2017 hold up we know this camera came out a year ago and yes this review is late we actually got to test a pre-production 60 mark 2 in Yellowstone prior to the official announcement last year and we gave it a full hands-on write-up at that time however because of reasons we weren't able to get a final production version of the camera in hand until now hence this rather tardy review but there is actually still a good reason to talk about the 60 mark - this long into its life Sony for example just announced the a7 3 not too long ago which basically rewrote the book on what an entry-level full-frame camera should be and as for the 60 mark 2 itself you can now pick it up for just $1,600 so four hundred dollars off the launch price and Canon is throwing in the vertical battery grip for free so it's not too shabby but is it enough to actually consider buying this camera let's take a look the 60 mark 2 arrived to a somewhat reserved response from the press not so much because it was bad necessarily but because it simply didn't do enough good on paper while many of the specs looked impressive compared to the original 6d like the new 45 point autofocus system dual pixel autofocus in Live View and faster six-and-a-half frames per second continuous shooting there was nothing that was really new or unique compared to other Canon cameras we had seen all of this tech before the 6d came out way back in 2012 so the 60 mark 2 arrived some four and a half years after it and it merely caught up to the rest of canons product range and that's just not good enough if you want this thing to be able to last another four and a half years so there is one component that's entirely new and that's the 26 megapixel full-frame sensor but as you've probably heard already from other reviewers it doesn't exactly have the best reputation a lot of people are talking about how the dynamic range has not improved at all and is in fact worse than a four-year-old nikon d750 and worse even than some of canons own aps-c cameras so cameras using a smaller sensor like the eos 80 D is canon embarrassed because of this maybe is it a reason to not buy the camera though well that depends here's the thing if you don't often work in high contrast scenes then the lack of dynamic range may not be an issue for you in less extreme situations we still found the RAW files to be flexible enough to create some pleasing results but push things too far and yeah you're going to run into noise but many people may actually benefit more from the 60 mark twos pretty impressive high ISO capability it performs much closer to the competition as you ramp up the ISO so if you commonly shoot in low-light like interior wedding receptions this might not be a bad camera perhaps were kinder than most in our appraisal of the 60 mark to s image quality but there is a catch here even where it's strong it's merely keeping pace with the competition but where it's weak it definitely falls behind it offers some usability improvements over the nikon d750 in the form of dual pixel autofocus and a fully articulating touch enabled screen but that's really it while dual pixel autofocus would seem to make a lot of sense for video the video mode on this camera is essentially just equal to that on again the much older nikon d750 it's 1080p at up to 60 frames per second without any of the pro level functions you'll find on the likes of Sony's cameras or even some of canons other DSLRs the 60 mark 2 doesn't even have a headphone jack so video is definitely an afterthought here and the video quality itself is well it's below par even for a 1080p camera sure it's easy to just say this camera doesn't target video shooters but it's still annoying that Canon continues to drag its feet when it comes to implementing high-end video features across its product line but again the 60 mark - is not a bad camera it's really well-made the weather sealing is great and it has a 1200 shot battery life it's also super responsive and both the viewfinder and live view autofocus systems are leagues ahead of the original 6d and while yeah the dynamic range might be an issue for you the high ISO performance is admirable but there's just nothing about this camera that is unique or special still for Canon shooters especially those looking to upgrade to their first full frame body the 60 mark to is a great buy right now at $1,600 with the vertical battery grip included unfortunately for Canon both the nikon d750 and the sony a7 - can also be picked up with their respective battery grips for just $1,500 so if you're not a Canon shooter you have some really compelling alternatives and there's just no strong argument that's gonna sway you in the direction of the 60 mark - and if you have an extra $500 to burn well then the newer Sony a7 3 is basically going to put you into a different league of camera but for Canon shooters the 60 mark 2 does still bring a lot of value to the table for its current price and so long as you know the limitations going into it you'll be happy with it for more on the 60 mark - make sure you head to digital Transcom to read our full review\n"
