The Canon EOS R6 Mark II has ended hypothesis that it might need the identical sensor as Canon’s flagship sports activities digicam, however the brand new full-frame mirrorless beast continues to be a high quality all-rounder. (Seeking to leap straight to our early verdict? Head to our hands-on Canon EOS R6 Mark II overview).

The EOS R6 Mark II is the follow-up to 2020’s unique EOS R6 and the primary improve is a brand new 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor. This provides Canon’s new mannequin a 20% bump in decision in comparison with its 20MP predecessor, which is able to please photographers in search of a bit extra element or cropping potential.

Earlier rumors had optimistically predicted that the EOS R6 Mark II might have the identical ‘stacked’ 24.1MP sensor seen within the Canon EOS R3. Stacked sensors have extremely quick read-out speeds for quick burst taking pictures {and professional} video high quality, however in addition they include a premium price ticket.

Nonetheless, the EOS R6 Mark II’s new sensor does not simply ship an additional serving to of decision. It is also quick sufficient to shoot 40fps bursts with autofocus in uncooked or JPEG, with none crop in any respect. Granted, it may well’t preserve these speeds for very lengthy (slightly below two seconds when taking pictures uncooked information), however that is nonetheless twice as quick because the EOS R6 and a possible bonus for motion or sports activities shooters.

One other serving to hand in that division is the EOS R6 Mark II’s upgraded Twin Pixel CMOS AF II system. Due to some improved deep studying, it may well now acknowledge and monitor plane, trains and a higher number of animals than earlier than (together with horses and zebras). Barely area of interest maybe, however the AF system is extra assured when taking pictures individuals too, as we found in our early preview.

The digicam’s new sensor additionally helps some improved video abilities. You’ll be able to shoot uncropped 4K/60p video, which can be oversampled from the digicam’s 6K native decision. That is a recipe for some high-quality video, though there’s sadly nonetheless no 4K/120p mode for slow-mo followers.

The EOS R6 Mark II is in any other case similar to its predecessor, which is not any unhealthy factor. It has a nigh-on equivalent bodily design with nice dealing with and a brand new multi-function shoe on the highest for pairing it with equipment like Canon’s new Speedlite EL-5. Within the US and Australia, it additionally has an equivalent price ticket to the unique EOS R6, costing $2,499 / £2,779 / AU$4,499 (physique solely), with that UK worth being a rise of about 11%.

You may as well pre-order the digicam now with the RF 24-105 f/4L IS USM lens for $3,599 / £3,999 / AU$6,399. Within the US and UK, you can even get the EOS R6 Mark II with the cheaper RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM zoom lens for $2,799 / £3,129, with gross sales anticipated to begin from late November.

Evaluation: Not stacked, however undoubtedly ripped

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Hypothesis that the Canon EOS R6 Mark II might need a stacked sensor has confirmed to be wishful considering, and that is not an excellent shock. Solely a handful of full-frame cameras have that trendy sensor design they usually’re all priced nicely north of Canon’s new hybrid shooter.

However that does not imply the EOS R6 Mark II is underwhelming or underpowered. Its new 24.2MP sensor is probably not stacked and even backside-illuminated, nevertheless it clearly has some fairly fast read-out speeds of its personal, as proven by these 40fps burst speeds and its potential to shoot oversampled 4K/60p with out a crop.

In different phrases, mirrorless cameras do not essentially want stacked sensors to be thought of high-end or pro-quality. The EOS R6 Mark II is likely to be a comparatively modest improve in different areas, nevertheless it fixes most of its predecessor’s weaknesses. And as our hands-on overview remarks, “few cameras at this worth can match its hybrid abilities” for taking pictures stills and video.

It’s going to actually be an attention-grabbing tussle with the Sony A7 IV and Nikon Z6 II although, so keep tuned for our full Canon EOS R6 Mark II overview very quickly. And in case your finances understandably does not fairly stretch to these cameras, take a look at our information to the Black Friday digicam offers for some tips about the right way to land a discount this month.