Right after the arrival of Nikon’s D600 Canon did come up with something interesting and price-conscious Full Frame DSLR, the EOS 6D. Canon did make sure it lacks few of the high key points in its proceder 5D Mark III and they have tried to justify 6D with enough features making it tempting for the money.
Hot Feautures in Canon 6D
- 20.2MP full frame CMOS sensor which is less than D600 or mark 3
- DIGIC 5+ image processor may be slower than the rivals but still is a good speed.
- ISO 100-25600 standard, 50-102800 expanded way better
- 4.5 fps continuous shooting
- ‘Silent’ shutter mode
- 1080p30 video recording, stereo sound via external mic
- 11 point AF system, center point cross-type, sensitive to -3 EV
- 63 zone iFCL metering system
- 97% viewfinder coverage; interchangeable screens (including Eg-D grid and Eg-S fine-focus)
- 1040k dot 3:2 3″ ClearView LCD (fixed)
- Single SD card slot
- Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
- Single-axis electronic level
Speaking about some of the key features AF Points comes first for it is a cross type which is sensitive in both the directions. The Specialty being it can focus super hard even in extremely low lights, to be more precise it can focus in moon light down to -3 exposure. Then about the silent shooting without much shutter sound, you go into stealth mode, a handy option i would say. Also has the incamera HDR and multiple exposure modes but they are available in JPEG’s only.
Construction of the camera, the design pretty much resembles the Canon 60D and a bit of 5D Mark III. Menu options and the other key features perfectly poised for your right hand usage. People have felt the AF point selector is slightly bottom placed which feels a little inconvenient when your eye is already in the viewfinder. The Body may not be give a bullet proof feel like 5D Mark III or 7D but is definitely strong made of magnesium alloy shell.
And then yeah it supports only SD cards and it has one slot only. the good thing is SD cards are cheaper reliable and affordable, the other thing is all the rival cameras offer multiple card slots for separate photo and video storage.
Positives
- Excellent detail in raw file output across ISO range
- Class-leading low light focus sensitivity (from central AF point)
- Very effective JPEG noise reduction at highest ISO sensitivities
- Impressively quiet ‘silent’ shutter drive mode
- Quick Control menu provides easy access to shooting settings
- Wi-Fi-enabled remote camera control via smartphone or tablet
- Effective and easy to use multi-exposure HDR mode
- Built-in GPS with text log capability
- Exposure simulation in live view can be toggled on and off
- Full manual control in video mode
- Choice of IPB and All-I video compression modes
- In-camera Raw conversion
- Good battery life (except when GPS and Wi-Fi are turned on)
- High quality bundled raw converter (Digital Photo Professional)
Negatives
- JPEG engine struggles with low-contrast fine detail at low ISO sensitivities
- Low density 11 point autofocus array with only one cross-type AF point
- Single card slot (SD)
- Slow burst rate compared to its full frame peers
- Cannot configure common live view and movie mode options independently
- Video output prone to moiré artifacts
- Slightly lower resolution than all of its full frame peers
- HDR mode is JPEG-only (unlike the 5D Mark III)
- Awkward placement of DOF preview button for portrait orientation shooting
- No built-in flash, so external controller required for shooting with groups of flashguns
- Relatively unsophisticated Auto ISO
- Monoaural microphone
- No headphone jack for audio monitoring
- Currently no uncompressed video output option (as found in its rivals)
- Significant battery drain over time when GPS and Wi-Fi are turned on
Conclusion
6D seems to be only feasible option in Canon when you are looking for something below 5D Mark III. But the review suggests though it falls back by some yards against it rivals D600 or 5D Mark III it does have its own merits for the money. It is seen delivering fantastic pictures without any fuss. It could have been a truly wonderful camera without any compromises from Canon, but still it can be called as a good camera.
Review Videos about Canon6D
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