What do you think will be the Shelf life of the EOS 6D ?

[Rams_eos]

Hi,
I was wondering if you could give your opinion on that? ???

On one side, the 6D is a full frame. The life of such products is around 3 years (on average) until now.
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/cameras/Canon_rumours.html

But on the other side, Canon seems to consider the 6D as a consumer camera.
Marketing, button layout, build quality, fps, SD card, same level of CPS support than APS-C, and so on are not definitively on the pro side.
“the EOS 6D is truly the Full-Frame DSLR camera for everyone.” From canon’s website.

So roughly, my question is?
Will the 6D last at least 3 years or will it be renewed every year (like rebel/XXXD) ?
Thanks to share your ideas.

 

[northbyten]

I reckon 18 months.

 

[bholliman]

2-3 years would be my guess. To me its a similar level camera to the 7D and that is over 3 years old. I don't think the refresh cycle will be anywhere close to the Rebels.

 

[captainkanji]

I hope to get many years out of mine. Most likely, I will sell it when a future 'improved' model comes out (Maybe 2 or three years). For me, I'd like a model that has improved image IQ at high ISOs and more crosstype AF points, but my cut off point for a body is around $2,500. It's not like I 'need' to replace it in 2 years, I just like new gadgets. I really love my 6D. I need to focus on upgrading my lenses. ;D

 

[CarlTN]

To the OP: In asking this question, is it to determine whether the 6D is worth owning for you?

Given Canon's history of introducing new full frame cameras, but taking into account the lower price segment of this new class of full frame cameras...my guess is at least 24 months. If this were 2010 rather than 2013, certainly it would be 36 months or more. It really all depends on what Nikon does, and to a lesser extent, Sony.

The rebel series all sell for $1k and less, and are thus updated more often. The updates they usually get are not major. The rebels are meant to be a compromise, entry level camera. The 6D is meant to be a compromise full frame entry level camera.

The question is, does the market want a "bare bones" autofocus on a full frame camera? Has the Nikon D600 outsold the 6D? I've not seen any official sales figures from Canon or Nikon, and they might not ever release them for specific bodies. The aggressive price drops recently of the 6D, might be an indicator of poor sales, or it might be an indicator that Canon makes an incredibly high profit on this model, no matter how low the price goes.

Certainly the price of used 6D's is holding up, with the lowest on amazon marketplace currently $1624.39. I paid $1760 for mine new in March from Adorama, four and a half months ago!

When the time comes, the 6D's replacement will possibly use the same image sensor, but using "digic 6" or "7". Whether the autofocus sensor gets updated with just minor tweaks, or gets something higher in performance, is probably more due to whether the market wants a $2500 body rather than an under $2k body. Time will tell, they will know what to build before then. Certainly if the 5D3 does not get a major update before then, an amped up 6D definitely would cut into the 5D3's sales...especially if they fix the moire in the video of the 6D.

So it seems to me the 5D3 would get some kind of update before the 6D does. And Canon will not give the 6D line enough bells and whistles to displace the 5D line. 3 to 5 years from now, as the second update cycle approaches, it's possible the 5D and 6D lines would morph together into one....or not. Just depends on what the market wants, and what other models or product lines are introduced before then.

As for using the 6D for professional stills photography, I have found it works great. At its fps, it does not need the faster compact flash media. The files are usually just small enough to be dealt with. Shallow depth of field files (often present in action shots) are often 20MB and smaller, RAW. As jpegs they're obviously even smaller.

 

[hamada]

I reckon 18 months.

it´s not a xxxD.

 

[distant.star]

.
Interesting question. And frankly, I have no idea since the whole thing has mystified me from the start.

But I'm looking forward to answers, thank you.

 

[dstppy]

Anything with a shelf life should be stamped with a freshness date.

The new twinkies apparently have a longer shelf life, so I'd figure as long as they don't ship with the batteries IN the camera, they can sit there for a few good years, assuming the place doesn't get too hot.

:/

 

[brad-man]

I would guess that the refresh cycle of most of Canon's non-rebel bodies will be determined more by when they release the new 0.18um process sensors rather than historical timelines. Presumably, the first will be released in the 7Dll. I can't imagine that a FF version would be too far behind. Since there have been rumors of some new EOS bodies being released in the near future, who knows which cameras will get the updated sensors first.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I have no idea of what I'm talking about...

 

[BPLOL]

No idea, but I believe we will see at least a new "big megapixel" FF camera, and a new 5D before we ever see another 6D.

The 6D doesn't look like a yearly Rebel. I imagine that if Canon released a new 6D every year, prices would drop very fast - and with added bells and whistles, a updated 6D would eat even more 5D sales (I now it's not on the same league, but hey, before the 6D if I wanted a FF camera the 5D was my only option). I expect two or three years.

 

[CarlTN]

No idea, but I believe we will see at least a new "big megapixel" FF camera, and a new 5D before we ever see another 6D.

The 6D doesn't look like a yearly Rebel. I imagine that if Canon released a new 6D every year, prices would drop very fast - and with added bells and whistles, a updated 6D would eat even more 5D sales (I now it's not on the same league, but hey, before the 6D if I wanted a FF camera the 5D was my only option). I expect two or three years.

Glad to see someone else agrees with pretty much every point I made.

 

[archiea]

I know people who still shoot with the orig 5D and the 20D. In the case of the former, sometimes they shoot professionally with it. If you are an event or pro photographer where your gear pays for itself, yeah I understand the upgrade cycle concern. However for most other peeps, canon's release cycle is almost irrelevant.

 

[Marsu42]

2-3 years would be my guess. To me its a similar level camera to the 7D and that is over 3 years old. I don't think the refresh cycle will be anywhere close to the Rebels.

The 6d won't be a very long life product: It's only rated for 150k shutter cycles, plus it has an outdated af system. Note while Canon is hesitant to annoy their premium and pro customers with obsoleting their cameras too soon, but the 6d is a consumer camera (fw/hardware feature set + only cps silver in the EU).

But in this special case my guess is that a replacement doesn't depend on Canon's schedule alone, but rather on the competition just like there wouldn't be a 6d at all if Nikon wouldn't have had thrown down the gauntlet with the d600:

The 6d is built to be further dropped in price a lot, as long as it goes on selling it won't be replaced, once Nikon releases a d600 successor or the 6d sales stall Canon will put a new af system in once the high-mp 5d4 has been released maybe in the end of 2014.

 

[Janbo Makimbo]

I would suggest that those who expect an early demise will be disappointed!! In terms of specs and actual use the camera punches well above its weight!! It is a great camera to use and produces great images, similar to what the 40D was!!

There is, in my opinion, a lot of unfair criticism from those who have eother not used the camera or simply don't know how to use it!!

 

[adhocphotographer]

I guess 2 years... the theoretical cycle time of xxD's.

 

[x-vision]

Just depends on what the market wants ...

Very good points overall and I do agree with them (for a change ).

Anyway, hard to tell how long the 6D will 'live'.
It definitely won't be replaced next year but who knows what will happen after that.

My overall impression is that the 6D is not selling all that well (unless discounted).
And despite having better specs, Nikon's D600 is not faring better either.

So, we'll see what happens to the so called 'entry level' FF category in 2015.
Canon might decide that it's better for them to sell a higher-spec'd 6DII for $2500 - rather than the 'entry level' 6D.

 

[PKinDenmark]

I have no idea - and I try not to bother

Let me elaborate a bit:
I upgraded from a Rebel / 450D, that I used and enjoyed for 4½ years.
Now the 6D represents a giant step forward in capabilites (FF / low light capabilities / better AF / WiFi / ergonomics ......).
And it allows me to move upwards again on my own learning-curve.
So I am certain the 6D will stay on my shelf (when not in use) for a long while.

After having a look in my crystal-ball I assume, that (again) my next new body will be some significant step forward in technology - be it new sensor generation (180 nm process?), mirror-less, ... ? .. who knows. And probably only when this new technology has reached some level of maturity.

Untill then: I will enjoy my great new tool, the 6D.
Some upgrades are very likely - will be in additional quality optics, flash etc.

By the way: Just now I have my hands on a Canon TS/E 24mm II.
What a fine and interesting tool, and it works just great with the 6D.

 

[munkymorgy]

I upgraded from a Rebel / 450D, that I used and enjoyed for 4½ years.
Now the 6D represents a giant step forward in capabilites (FF / low light capabilities / better AF / WiFi / ergonomics ......).
And it allows me to move upwards again on my own learning-curve.

Ditto, except I upgraded from a 400D, so it has been a bit closer to 7 years for me. Sticking with an older camera with less ISO range has taught me a lot about how to hand hold the camera in low light.

Given that the 6D is a lot more camera and has a lot more ISO range there would have to be something really special for me to consider upgrading again in the next 5 years. Unless of course I start making bucket loads of money from photography and the equipment cost becomes irrelevant

 

[Rams_eos]

Thanks for the interesting points here.

I don’t know the sales figure for 6D but it seems Nikon D600 suffered from the “Dustgate” despite being a “better speced” camera. So if Nikon release a D600_2 (to give it a better reputation), it is likely Canon will have to respond with something. In that case, it will be nothing revolutionary like Digic 6, slightly better AF…

I don’t think Canon will do anything to cannibalize 5D3 sales but with Sony also coming FF, they may still want to keep a good market share for “Cheap” FF cameras. And so pushing it make sense.

However, it is unlikely the average consumer will spend over 2000$/Euro on a FF camera.

 

[Hannes]

I think it'll depend on what Nikon does with the D600. I'm hoping it'll get replaced sooner rather than later with a better AF system so my hope would be around 2 years.

It is obvious how canon sees the camera, the 6D falls into the same CPS category as a 40D which should hopefully mean it'll be changed quicker. It would also be a reasonable upgrade if they specced it with a better AF system and could see the enthusiasts upgrade.