Exploring the History of Innovation: The Canon EOS 6 Series

[Richard CR]

We invite you to join us for an exploration of the Canon EOS 6 Series, a product family that stands out within Canon's full-frame DSLR and mirrorless portfolio. We recommend also looking at our other articles on the Canon Camera Series to provide you with a bigger picture of the Canon camera story. The Canon […]

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[m4ndr4ke]

Nice work!

Just one thing: both the R6 and R6 Mark II have the same EVF and rear LCD, there was no improvement AFAIK.

The EOS RP has magnesium in its contruction as well, which is a nice touch for the lower price point.

 

[Richard CR]

Nice work!

Just one thing: both the R6 and R6 Mark II have the same EVF and rear LCD, there was no improvement AFAIK.

The EOS RP has magnesium in its contruction as well, which is a nice touch for the lower price point.

Dammit! I even had craig check the document to see if I slipped up anywhere. Thanks for the proof reading catches. After a while at looking at the document in wordpress my eyes start to go cross eyed.

 

[ctk]

6D2 was kind of a low point for Canon as A7III launched around the same time for the same money. The 1-2 punch of the A7R2 and A7III was when I knew the DSLRs days were numbered. OG 6D was important as it was among the first legit affordable FF bodies, but D600/610 still had a slight edge. R6 was the first time 6 series really met its potential. Im glad Canon is being aggressive with bodies again.... Id argue their current FF body lineup is the best, especially in the $2-4K price range.

 

[HeavyPiper]

6D2 was kind of a low point for Canon

Agreed, I was so dissapointed after my purchase.

 

[roby17269]

Numbering aside, I'd still argue that the R6 (I/II/III) is not the spiritual successor of the 6D (I/II).
The RP and then the R8 fit the bill more, IMHO

 

[Richard CR]

Numbering aside, I'd still argue that the R6 (I/II/III) is not the spiritual successor of the 6D (I/II).
The RP and then the R8 fit the bill more, IMHO

I was a little tempted to put the R8 in there as well, as at least with the R6 Mark II and now III it really does feel like the lineup has shifted upscale. But I think the RP and also the R8 if anyone would be the spiritual successor of the entry-level rebels in EF-S land, while the R6 would be like the "super rebel" that sat about (think 77D, etc) - i still think there's a seperation there.

Once the R6 Mark III gets here in the next couple of days, the R6 III will be in there, and I'll certainly think of adding the R8 as well, and talking more about if this is a fork in thinking from Canon - like the XXD series went on after the 50D when the line split to the 60D and the 7D.

I'll certainly give it some thought! Thanks!

 

[rombe3jr]

6D2 was kind of a low point for Canon as A7III launched around the same time for the same money. The 1-2 punch of the A7R2 and A7III was when I knew the DSLRs days were numbered. OG 6D was important as it was among the first legit affordable FF bodies, but D600/610 still had a slight edge. R6 was the first time 6 series really met its potential. Im glad Canon is being aggressive with bodies again.... Id argue their current FF body lineup is the best, especially in the $2-4K price range.

Hard to believe that was about 8 years ago now. And Sony continued their hit streak with several more great cameras in this middle tier ($2k-$4k USD) until about 2022. I think the A7RV was probably the last time Sony responded with a spec "win" over Canon in the segment. Something changed around 2022 and Sony focused on the high end A1 II and A9 III cameras while letting the mid tier languish. Canon has methodically improved each of these models and I would argue, beat Sony with the R5C, R5 II, R6 II, C50, and tonight they will be announcing the R6 III. It is safe to say that Canon is sitting comfortably on top in 2025.

 

[ctk]

Hard to believe that was about 8 years ago now. And Sony continued their hit streak with several more great cameras in this middle tier ($2k-$4k USD) until about 2022. I think the A7RV was probably the last time Sony responded with a spec "win" over Canon in the segment. Something changed around 2022 and Sony focused on the high end A1 II and A9 III cameras while letting the mid tier languish. Canon has methodically improved each of these models and I would argue, beat Sony with the R5C, R5 II, R6 II, C50, and tonight they will be announcing the R6 III. It is safe to say that Canon is sitting comfortably on top in 2025.

Body wise yes Canon is def on top, and dont forget the OG R5/R6, which while not perfect represent insane value Sony can't match. I cant think of a better $3K body than the R5. RF lens system is serviceable but def a big step behind IMO.

 

[roby17269]

I was a little tempted to put the R8 in there as well, as at least with the R6 Mark II and now III it really does feel like the lineup has shifted upscale. But I think the RP and also the R8 if anyone would be the spiritual successor of the entry-level rebels in EF-S land, while the R6 would be like the "super rebel" that sat about (think 77D, etc) - i still think there's a seperation there.

My understanding was that Canon has always had a clear split FF v Crop (EF v EF-S and RF v RF-S)
I do agree that the R6 has moved upscale and I think that there have been 2 splits: 5D -> R6 and R5 and 1D X -> R3 and R1 (at least on paper for the latter: who knows if the R3 will continue? and moreover to me the R1 feels like an upgrade of the R3 rather than a different class)... but they stay in FF land.
If the 6D was the gateway drug for FF, now that role is held by the RP / R8

Once the R6 Mark III gets here in the next couple of days, the R6 III will be in there, and I'll certainly think of adding the R8 as well, and talking more about if this is a fork in thinking from Canon - like the XXD series went on after the 50D when the line split to the 60D and the 7D.

Nothing is simple really what about the 5Ds? One could argue that we went 6D -> R8, 5D -> R6, 5Ds -> R5 and 1D X -> R1 (ignoring one-offs like R, RP and maybe R3)

I'll certainly give it some thought! Thanks!

You're welcome!

 

[Michael Clark]

Numbering aside, I'd still argue that the R6 (I/II/III) is not the spiritual successor of the 6D (I/II).
The RP and then the R8 fit the bill more, IMHO

Roger Cicala called the EOS R (not the RP) a mirrorless 6D Mark II.

Sure, the R had the 5D Mark IV sensor. But does the 1D X Mark III sensor in the R6 make it the successor to the 1D X series?

 

[Michael Clark]

I was a little tempted to put the R8 in there as well, as at least with the R6 Mark II and now III it really does feel like the lineup has shifted upscale. But I think the RP and also the R8 if anyone would be the spiritual successor of the entry-level rebels in EF-S land, while the R6 would be like the "super rebel" that sat about (think 77D, etc) - i still think there's a seperation there.

Once the R6 Mark III gets here in the next couple of days, the R6 III will be in there, and I'll certainly think of adding the R8 as well, and talking more about if this is a fork in thinking from Canon - like the XXD series went on after the 50D when the line split to the 60D and the 7D.

I'll certainly give it some thought! Thanks!

Yes, I've often compared the RP to the one-off 77D. Not quite an x0D, not quite a Rebel. Somewhere in between.

 

[Michael Clark]

We invite you to join us for an exploration of the Canon EOS 6 Series, a product family that stands out within Canon's full-frame DSLR and mirrorless portfolio. We recommend also looking at our other articles on the Canon Camera Series to provide you with a bigger picture of the Canon camera story. The Canon […]

See full article...

Sorry, but at $2K+, neither the 6D nor 6D Mark II were entry level. They were prosumer level FF cameras after the 5-Series moved from prosumer, with the 5D Mark II, to pro level bodies with the 5D Mark III, which was essentially the successor to the 1Ds Mark III without a built in vertical grip.

It's no accident that the 22.3 MP 5D Mark III with a pro level AF system appeared at the same time the 20.1 MP 1Ds Mark III was discontinued. The 2008 20.0 MP 5D Mark II was intentionally slightly lower resolution than the 2007 1Ds Mark III, Canon's highest resolution sensor at the time. The original 6D replaced the 5D Mark II as the prosumer level FF camera when the 5D Mark III went upscale.

The EOS RP was Canon's first budget FF camera body. If anything, the EOS R (not the RP) was the spiritual successor to the 6D Mark II. Roger Cicala called the EOS R "a mirrorless 6D Mark II". Claiming the EOS R was a 5-Series body because it got the 5D Mark IV sensor is about as ridiculous as claiming the R6 is a 1-Series body because it got the 1D X Mark III sensor...

 

[Michael Clark]

Nice work!

Just one thing: both the R6 and R6 Mark II have the same EVF and rear LCD, there was no improvement AFAIK.

The EOS RP has magnesium in its contruction as well, which is a nice touch for the lower price point.

It's a combination of both magnesium allow and composite plastics.

 

[roby17269]

Roger Cicala called the EOS R (not the RP) a mirrorless 6D Mark II.

Sure, the R had the 5D Mark IV sensor. But does the 1D X Mark III sensor in the R6 make it the successor to the 1D X series?

I feel like I have a stalker now
You could have replied to me once, it would have been enough. And I know I know I am guilty of the same now
I understand your point of view but I do not agree with it, simple as that.
And as I have written elsewhere, I do not use the sensor's model to classify cameras, but I look at sensor size and at camera's relative position in Canon lineup at the time the camera is current. So to reiterate, for me the 6D (e.g.) was the entry point for FF at the time of its introduction

 

[Michael Clark]

I feel like I have a stalker now
You could have replied to me once, it would have been enough. And I know I know I am guilty of the same now

I've only replied to you once in the comments to this particular post.
(Well, this one is twice. My next comment will be thrice.)

 

[Michael Clark]

And as I have written elsewhere, I do not use the sensor's model to classify cameras, but I look at sensor size and at camera's relative position in Canon lineup at the time the camera is current. So to reiterate, for me the 6D (e.g.) was the entry point for FF at the time of its introduction

"Entry point for FF" at $2K+ does not equal "budget entry point for FF" and barely $1K.

When the 6D debuted at $2K+, there were plenty of $1K and under budget DSLRs.
When the RP debuted at $1.2K, there were fewer sub $1K and under budget DSLRs, and the floor was higher due to inflation in the intervening 8+ years.

 

[roby17269]

"Entry point for FF" at $2K+ does not equal "budget entry point for FF" and barely $1K.

When the 6D debuted at $2K+, there were plenty of $1K and under budget DSLRs.
When the RP debuted at $1.2K, there were fewer sub $1K and under budget DSLRs, and the floor was higher due to inflation in the intervening 8+ years.

About your other message: you did reply to 5 of my messages, which were all on the same topic... but they were in different threads.

Well there is one entry point FF at any given time. Who are we to decide what price is considered to be "budget"?