The Canon EOS R mirrorless camera system has grown by leaps and bounds in its few years on the market. The latest entry, the EOS R6 Mark II, is an update to the mid-entry EOS R6 (a 2020 release). It doesn't make drastic changes to the exterior—some controls are moved around. Inside the sensor is new, and while the upgrade to 24MP isn't much to crow about, updated autofocus and an electronic shutter capable of 40fps capture are.
A Difference-Making Mark II
We've criticized Canon for some earlier Mark II releases (the EOS M50 Mark II didn't do much different from the original), but the EOS R6 Mark II doesn't merit the same complaints. Its autofocus system is powered by the same algorithms that drive the speedy R3 and R7, so it smartly recognizes different types of subjects including people, animals and birds, and vehicles.
The Mark II matches the original's 12fps tracking speed with its mechanical shutter, but pushes its electronic shutter to a blistering 40fps. Canon developed a new chip for this camera, and while it doesn't offer the next-generation Stacked CMOS architecture that's included in the EOS R3, it reads out briskly enough to outpace many BSI CMOS cameras, and according to early reports proves effective at suppressing rolling shutter. This means that the e-shutter should can be used to freeze subjects in motion without introducing ugly motion artifacts.
The body style is almost the same as the original R6; the major change is a repositioning of top plate controls. The power switch has been moved from the left side to the right, and a toggle switch for stills and video capture is at its place on the left.
Aside from that the R6 Mark II is similar in size and weight, includes dust and splash protection, and has both a flip-out LCD and eye-level viewfinder to frame up subjects. The viewfinder is the same 3.7 million dot OLED from the original, but Canon has added a low contrast optical finder simulation mode for use in tricky light. It's a similar concept to the one included in the EOS R3 and bolstered by the R3's HDR viewfinder, but the R6 Mark II has an SDR screen, so we don't anticipate quite as impressive an experience.
The image sensor is supported by a 5-axis stabilization system, a boon for action photography, long exposure work, and video too. For video the camera does full-width 4K60 internally supports 6K Raw recording with an external recorder. Canon promises to have solved some of the overheating issues with the original R6; the Mark II can go longer than 30 minutes at a time at 4K60, opening it up for documentary and interview work.
RF 135mm F1.8 and Speedlite EL-5
Canon is also adding a new lens, the RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM, a medium telephoto with a wide aperture. The focal length is a good fit for portraiture, and also useful for indoor sports where an F2.8 zoom just doesn't cut it. The lens is priced at $2,099 and will ship in January. The Speedlite EL-5 flash will follow in March for $399.99.
Pricing and Availability
The EOS R6 Mark II is expected to ship in late November. It comes in at $2,499 as a body only (the same price as the first edition), and can be bought in a kit along with the RF 24-105mm F4.0-7.1 IS STM for $2,799, or with the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM for $3,599.