Canon announces several new additions to its lineup: The EOS R6 Mark II full-frame camera, RF135mm f/1.8L IS USM, and Speedlite EL-5. More than just a successor to the popular EOS R6, the EOS R6 Mark II is a gamechanger that redefines Canon’s “6” series of cameras. It adds a host of professional video production features to overhauled basic performance and revved-up still shooting features, elevating it to become a stills and video powerhouse.
Professional Video Workflow
For footage that maintains high quality even with intense post-processing, the EOS R6 Mark II records 6K RAW externally via HDMI, with Full HD proxy data simultaneously recorded to one of the two SD card slots for ease of editing.
Internally, it is capable of high-quality 4K 60p video oversampled from 6K, and High Frame Rate video up to Full HD 180p, in addition to Canon Log 3 and HDR PQ video. With improved heat management, unlimited continuous recording of 4K 30p is now possible.
An alternative Quick Control screen that resembles those on Cinema EOS cameras provides an intuitive interface for users using the EOS R6 Mark II alongside the Cinema EOS system.
Seamless Creative Expression
The EOS R6 Mark II is the first Canon EOS camera to support focus breathing correction, which reduces unwanted changes in angle of view during focus transitions. This complements existing features such as AF speed adjustment, providing greater control over focus transitions which is crucial for expression.
In addition to the existing zebra display, the EOS R6 Mark II is equipped with the false colour function widely used in the Cinema EOS system, making it easier to adjust exposure even in tricky conditions.
Two other video features making their full-frame EOS camera debut are:
- Pre-recording for movies: A staple feature on Cinema EOS cameras, this allows you to capture moments that occur up to 5 seconds before the record button is pressed, reducing the need to “record on standby”.
- Hybrid Auto Mode: This records a video 2-4 seconds before shutter release during still image shooting and automatically compiles them into a digest movie for the day, providing readily available video content to suit a variety of purposes.
High-quality Livestreams with UVC/UAC Compatibility
The EOS R6 Mark II supports UVC (USB Video Class) and UAC (USB Audio Class) protocols, enabling high-quality Full HD 30p video and audio to be delivered to a Windows/Mac OS computer in real time, making it ideal for livestreams, remote meetings, and computer-based video recording.
You can now take full advantage of a full-frame camera and high-quality lenses through plug and play on both Windows and Mac OS.
Enhanced Detection and Tracking Capabilities
With its 40 fps continuous shooting capabilities in electronic shutter mode, the EOS R6 Mark II is the first EOS camera to go beyond 30 fps in AF/AE-tracked continuous still shooting capabilities. Mechanical shutter continuous shooting is up to 12 fps with AF/AE tracking.
The EOS R6 Mark II adds horses, trains, and aeroplanes to the existing subjects detectable by the deep learning-based algorithm. You can specify right or left eye priority for Eye Detection AF in photo or video mode. They also have more flexibility to decide the subjects to be detected. The new “Auto subject detection” mode allows you to automatically detect more than one type of subject within the same frame.
Tracking performance has been improved with the expanded application of deep learning technology to subject tracking. By extracting subject features based on deep learning, the camera can now maintain consistent tracking even with changes in posture, orientation, or ambient brightness. This applies to animals, vehicles, and other subjects of your choice for both stills and videos.
Other noteworthy new features that aid responsiveness include:
- AI Focus AF mode: This automatically detects subject motion and switches between One-Shot AF and Servo AF modes, allowing better response to subjects with changing states of motion.
- Digital teleconverter: Increases the focal length by 2x or 4x with the touch of a button, allowing quick response to unexpected telephoto shooting moments without the need to change lenses.
Newly Developed 24.2MP Image Sensor
The EOS R6 Mark II’s newly developed 24.2-megapixel full-frame image sensor achieves a higher pixel resolution than the 20.1-megapixel EOS R6, with new sharpness processing that achieves visual resolution surpassing even the 30.4-megapixel EOS 5D Mark IV. The native ISO speed is up to 102,400.
The EOS R6 Mark II is equipped with In-Body IS and HDR PQ HEIF recording. A new “Moving subject priority” HDR mode has been added, which helps to overcome the difficulty of creating HDR merges of moving subjects by achieving the same effect with just one shot.
Connectivity
Faster wireless connections to smart devices are now possible as the EOS R6 Mark II supports both 5GHz and 2.4GHz wireless connections. Smartphone connectivity is also expanded, with Camera Connect app functions such as automatic data transfer and shutter release, which are now also possible via a wired USB connection. Data transfer to FTP servers is also supported via wired and wireless methods.
Durability and Power Efficiency
The EOS R6 Mark II features dual SD card slots for extra reliability, and a dust- and drip-resistant construction designed to support outdoor shooting. Designed for power efficiency, it can shoot up to 760 shots on a single charge using the LP-E6NH battery.
RF135mm f/1.8L IS USM
Canon’s first professional 135mm prime lens for the RF mount is also currently the only 135mm lens in the market to be equipped with built-in optical image stabilisation with up to 5.5 stops. When combined with a compatible camera, it can achieve up to 8 stops of image stabilisation via Coordinated Control IS. Despite this new inclusion, it weighs only approximately 935g—lighter than some lenses with similar specifications but without image stabilisation.
It also boasts a larger f/1.8 aperture compared to its popular EF counterpart, which not only provides beautiful bokeh for excellent subject-background separation, but also allows faster shutter speeds in challenging lighting conditions.
AF is driven by the fast and smooth Nano USM, and focus breathing correction is supported, making the lens an ideal choice for video production. Two new customisable lens function buttons on the lens body provide intuitive control over various AF and/or exposure settings, allowing a swifter response to changing conditions.
As an L lens, the RF135mm f/1.8L IS USM features professional-grade optical, imaging, and build quality. The highly durable body, dust- and drip-resistant construction, high vibration shock resistance, and fluorine coating ensure excellent reliability even under harsh shooting conditions.
Speedlite EL-5
Leveraging on the new 15-pin Multi-Function Shoe on some of the recent EOS R cameras, Speedlite EL-5 achieves faster and more stable communication with the camera, which improves overall performance and reliability. It allows additional functionalities such as wireless control via a smartphone.
Smaller, lighter, and more affordable than the Speedlite EL-1, the Speedlite EL-5 uses the same high-capacity rechargeable LP-EL lithium-ion battery but with better efficiency. It features a recycling time of approximately 0.1 to 1.2 seconds and can emit continuous flashes approximately 95 times or more at full output (GN 60).
Microflash as low as 1/1024 can be activated for situations that require fine lighting control.
Wireless flash functionality has been expanded – in addition to compatibility with wireless control as a transmitter and a receiver, the Speedlite EL-5 also supports wireless remote control of flash settings using a smartphone via the Camera Connect app. It shares the same dust- and drip-resistance quality as the EOS R5 body, ensuring stable performance.
Pricing and Availability
The EOS R6 Mark II will be available from Canon authorized dealers at the following recommended retail price, from 18 November 2022.
- EOS R6 Mark II – $3,899
- EOS R6 Mark II Kit (with RF24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM) – $4,388
There will be a pre-order promotion from 2 – 16 November 2022, for which you will be entitled to the following:
- Additional 24-month warranty package (worth up to $360)
- 2 x sensor cleaning services (worth $40) for registered EOS R6 Mark II within 36 months from date of purchase
With the additional warranty on top of the standard 12 months’ warranty, you will enjoy 36 months of warranty in total. The EOS R6 Mark II will be shipped from 18 November 2022.
Pricing and availability of the RF135mm f/1.8L IS USM and Speedlite EL-5 will be advised at a later date.
