First look: Canon EOS R6
Andy Westlake takes a rst look at Canon’s exciting new mirrorless all-rounder
IT’S FAIR to say that Canon’s first attempts at making full-frame mirrorless cameras weren’t universally loved, with the EOS R and RP discarding too much of the design ethos that underpinned the firm’s finely-honed DSLRs. However, the sleeping giant is now well and truly awake, and while it’s created a lot of buzz around the high- end EOS R5 over the past few months, the camera that keen photographers will surely go out and buy in their droves when it goes on sale in late August is its less- expensive sibling, the EOS R6.
Where the £4,200 EOS R5 is a 45MP, 8K video- capable monster, the £2,500 EOS R6 has slightly more modest specifications, but still looks like a fantastic all- rounder. It employs a 20MP full-frame sensor based on that in the flagship EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR, but with a less-sophisticated optical low-pass filter. It provides a standard sensitivity range of ISO 100-102,400, along with continuous shooting at 12 frames per second, or 20fps using the silent electronic shutter. Video recording is available at 4K and 60fps, or Full HD and 120fps.
The EOS R6 uses a very similar design to the R5, but with a conventional exposure mode dial in place of the latter’s top-plate LCD. Most importantly, both cameras gain features that were previously conspicuous by their absence from Canon’s mirrorless range, including dual card slots and 5-axis in-body stabilisation. Indeed the firm hasn’t done things by halves, claiming up to 8 stops stabilisation when using
the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens. The camera’s physical design also melds the best new ideas of the R system with EOS staples such as an AF joystick and rear dial, and my initial impression is that Canon has done a fine job of fitting so many controls onto the body while keeping them all accessible.
EOS R5 specs con rmed
Canon has also laid out full specs of the high- end EOS R5. Remarkably, it’s capable of recording DCI 8K raw video at 30fps for 20 minutes. Its 45MP sensor provides a speed range of ISO 100-51,200 as standard, that’s extendable to ISO 50-102,400. For viewing it employs a 5.69m- dot EVF and a 2.1m- dot 3.2in fully articulated LCD. Along with the same BG- R10 grip as the EOS R6, it’s also compatible with a new WFT- R10 vertical grip that integrates pro-spec Wi- Fi and Ethernet connectivity. The Canon EOS R5 is due to reach the shops at the end of this month.
First impressions
Even from a short time with the camera, it’s clear that the EOS R6 is incredibly exciting. Canon appears to have finally got mirrorless absolutely right, and may just have made the best-handling body that we’ve seen to date, with a large comfortable grip and fantastic control layout. We’re hugely excited to find out what it can do in our upcoming full review.