Canon R6 vs R6 Mark II: Should You Upgrade?

12 Oct

Written By Tech Indulger

Performance: ★★★★☆
R6 Mark II brings power, but the Mark I holds its ground in key areas.

Video Features: ★★★★★
Uncropped 4K 60 fps and ProRes RAW? Yes, please.

Burst Shooting: ★★★★☆
Mark I goes long, Mark II goes fast.

Value for Money: ★★★☆☆
Mark I saves you a chunk – but Mark II earns its price.

Overall: ★★★★☆
A proper camera duel. One’s built for photo purists, the other’s a hybrid shooter’s dream.

A Tale of Two R6s

Once upon a sensor, Canon released the original R6 – a brilliant full-frame mirrorless workhorse. Sharp, fast, and remarkably intuitive. But then came its successor: the Canon R6 Mark II. A camera that promises more resolution, better video, and slicker performance.

So, is the Mark II a proper upgrade? Or just a pricier tweak? Let’s unpack the specs, the quirks, and the real-world value to help you decide where your money’s better spent.

Key Differences Overview

  
      Feature
      Canon R6 Mark I
      Canon R6 Mark II
      Notes/Comments
    

  
      Sensor Resolution
      20 Megapixels
      24 Megapixels
      ~12.2% increase in resolution for Mark II
    

      Burst Shooting
      12 fps mechanical, 20 fps electronic
      12 fps mechanical, 40 fps electronic
      Mark II doubles electronic shutter speed
    

      Frame Buffer (JPEG)
      ~1000 continuous shots
      1000 (mech), 190 (electronic)
      Mark I sustains longer bursts in electronic mode
    

      Frame Buffer (RAW)
      258 shots
      110 (mech), 75 (electronic)
      Mark I better for extended RAW bursts
    

      Autofocus Performance
      Good, with occasional misses
      More reliable and “stickier”
      Mark II excels at subject tracking
    

      Video Resolution/Framerate
      4K 24/30 fps, 4K 60 fps (1.6x crop)
      4K 24/30 fps, 4K 60 fps (uncropped)
      Mark II provides full-sensor 4K 60 fps
    

      Video Features
      C-Log 1 & C-Log 3
      C-Log 3 only
      Mark I offers more flexibility for colour grading
    

      ProRes RAW
      Not supported
      Supported externally (up to 6K/60 fps)
      Mark II adds serious video production clout
    

      Slow Motion
      120 fps Full HD
      120 & 180 fps Full HD
      Mark II allows even smoother slo-mo
    

      Size & Weight
      Lighter, smaller
      Heavier, chunkier
      Mark I is more portable
    

      Mode Switching
      Mode dial (less intuitive)
      Dedicated photo/video switch
      Mark II wins for workflow
    

      Battery & Media
      Same (Canon LPF, dual SD slots)
      Same
      Ergonomically similar
    

      Price
      Lower (~$500 less)
      Higher
      Mark I offers better value for stills-focused users
    

Who Are These R6 Cameras Actually For?

For Photographers: The Still-Life Hero

The Canon R6 Mark I is still a stunner. Its 20 MP sensor might sound modest, but in real-world use, it delivers gorgeously sharp images – especially with a touch of post-processing polish. And if you shoot action – wildlife, sports, toddlers on sugar – the Mark I’s buffer lets you snap away without the dreaded pause.

But... the autofocus occasionally trips up, and if you dabble in video, that 1.6x crop on 4K 60 fps can be a bit of a buzzkill.

Therefore... stills-focused shooters get terrific performance, brilliant ergonomics, and real bang for their buck – especially at the lower price.

For Videographers & Hybrid Creators: The Feature-Packed All-Rounder

Enter the Canon R6 II – not a revolution, but a proper refinement. You get uncropped 4K 60 fps straight from a 6K readout, faster autofocus that locks on like a heat-seeking missile, and support for external 6K ProRes RAW.

It’s built for creators who bounce between photos and videos, or those who want to punch above their weight without jumping to the pricier R5.

But... it does come with trade-offs: a smaller buffer for burst shooting, and oddly, one fewer Canon Log profile than its older sibling.

Therefore... if you’re making serious content – weddings, commercial work, documentaries – the Mark II justifies the extra cash.

Real-World Scenarios That Might Sway You

Shooting sports or wildlife? Go for the Canon R6 Mark I. Its buffer stamina outpaces the newer model.
Need slick video for YouTube or client work? The Canon R6 Mk II brings top-tier video at mid-tier price.
Hybrid shooter with a fast workflow? The Mark II’s dedicated switch and stickier autofocus will win you over.
Travelling light or budget-conscious? The Mark I is lighter, cheaper, and still a brilliant buy.

Verdict: Should You Upgrade or Save?

If you're rocking a Canon R6 Mark I today, upgrading to the Mark II isn't a must – unless video is a growing part of your creative life. You’ll notice the improvement in focus reliability and uncropped 4K, but image quality on both models remains top-notch.

For new buyers, your choice comes down to priorities: If stills are your main gig, the Canon R6 Mark I is still fantastic and friendlier on your wallet. But if you're creating content across platforms and need video to keep up with your vision, the Canon R6 Mark II delivers modern features without reaching Canon R5 pricing.

Final Thoughts

The Canon R6 vs R6 Mark II debate isn’t really about better or worse – it’s about what you're shooting and how you shoot it. Canon didn’t reinvent the wheel here – they just gave it better grip for the road ahead.