Canon EOS 6D In-Depth Review

I owned this camera from about 2014-2018 and always enjoyed it. Just picked up another 6D for a song. Even owning much 'higher spec' Canon bodies, I'm happy to have this little gem back in my rotation. Still a pleasure to use and the image quality holds up well. This camera's simplicity is now part of its charm. No fuss, no frills, basic but accurate AF. Just shoot. And it still delivers.

I had never given the 6D much attention until a friend lent me one when my 1Ds mark ii failed. The low weight was very welcome, as was the ability to get usable images at ISO 12800. Only the lack of a second card slot bothered me, and then not very much. In fact some of the so-called disadvantages are, to me, advantages!

I liked how comfortable a 6D is to hold, It made1D series bodies seem uncomfortable due to the front-facing protrusion from the battery chamber. It is there for the vertical grip, but it makes landscape format awkward. I had used 1D-series cameras for years and never noticed (or had forgotten) until I used the 6D how much more comfortable a more conventional camera can be.

I might just buy one. The only thing that worries me is that a 6D would not survive getting knocked or soaked. My 1D series cameras just carried on working no matter what. Some of the bumps my 1D ii N and 1Ds ii took, or the rain they survived, would have killed a 6D.

Yes, it's a full frame, and therefore is capable of taking decent pictures.
However, having owned a 6D for several months now, I have 2 major complaints:
1 - It really does have trouble focusing in low light.
2 - No face detection. Given this camera is not a "budget" camera, I just can't believe that it doesn't have face detection. Face detection is a wonderful feature and is now included with most decent cameras. My $150 point-and-shoot has face detection, but the Canon people weren't able to build it into the 6D.
Very disappointing.

one of the best camera on market still now... And best if we will see to price.

It has got only silver only because it has one central AF point and not many more. But if that single AF point works flawless it can be a plus because the machinery uses less ressurses to reach ita objective.
On the other hand, DP says that the camera among many other possitive atributes has impressive built-in Wi-Fi and GPS features. So why the tag about connectivity is missing??
For the record I have had this camera now 3 years and it has never failed me, its impressive, and pleasure to use.

I simply love this camera...it's perfect for still and portrait photography...and amazing in low light...believe me, it's a winner!

I upgraded from a T3i to the 6D a few months ago. There is only one issue with the 6D - every image is in focus. Instead of coming home with 600 images and quickly weeding out 1/3 of them because they were not sharp or low light resulted in images that were too noisy, I'm now weeding out 1 or 2 percent, and almost always because of my error, not the camera's. Picking out the images I want to keep and process takes a LOT longer.

Focus is fast and accurate, it's excellent in low light, images at ISO 1600 are completely usable (up to ISO 6400 if you're not going to print), it's comfortable and intuitive to use and the image quality is superlative.

Two features I thought would be important, WiFi & GPS, work well but I don't use them as often as I thought I would. And I miss the articulating screen my T3i had. But I've captured images that would have been impossible before I purchased this camera.

The best purchase in my life. Great camera. Great!

After reading the latest review http://www.dpreview.com/articles/2436252004/bsi-boss-sony-alpha-7r-ii-added-to-studio-scene some of the commentators there pointed out that the Canon 6D is excellent low light (high ISO) even when compared against the other (much) more expensive FF cameras. It's very puzzling how on Earth the reviewers gave silver to this excellent camera? I am Sony fanboy but the comparision tool has shown me that the Canon 6D high-ISO images are better than the Sony's. Surprising and very informative: there must be a catch or an error. Maybe Canon ISO's are faked just like Fujifilm's?

I have owned a the EOS 6d for around 4 months now and overall I find it to be a great camera. Image quality is top notch even in low light. What canon has done here is allowed people to fully exploit the full range of canon lenses and accessories in a way that was not really achievable with an APSc sized sensor.

12 months after buying a Canon 6D, being disappointed with Canon, I bought a Sony Alpha 7 MII and LOVE IT!

Economy is not achieved by hobbling the video, autofocus, HDR and other features as Canon has done. I feel as if Canon punished me for not buying the more expensive rig!

Having taken my licks, it's time for some fresh air. With Sony, so far, so good. Video is definitely pro quality. It does everything well. Native 16:9 delivers the same size image as a 6D and is nearly a 2X panorama. Image quality is sumptuous at 24 MP and the kit lens, contrary to my expectations, delivers excellent contrast, color, and resolution.

Using a Metabones adapter (fairly expensive) my Canon EF lenses are all image stabilized by the body. I can also use my old FD lenses, including an FD 300mm f/2.8L lens, and Sony is on the right track with clear 2X zoom, which is more than a sales feature--it draws on CPU power to interpolate pixels by unique algorithms.

6d has fallen into disuse.

No exposure comp in Auto ISO irks me. Why? Seriously?
The WiFi app blows. It's not worked at all for months since Android Lollipop came out. For months now. It's a piece of junk anyways with very little control over shooting parameters.
And there is the one point auto focus system. the central point is great. The rest is complete garbage, as if it wasn't there. One autofucus point is very '80s...
Most of the issues with the 6D, of course, could be addressed via a firmware update. A firmware update that will never come. Hey, Canon is not Samsung, it's more like Apple... They don't care what the customer wants / thinks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c41BRrmJDL8

For the skeptics and the nitpickers on the 6ds' video capabilities, check that video out. By far one of the best wedding videos i've come across. Most of the couple moments were taken with the Canon 85mm F1.2 ($2k lense) and the chapel moments were taken with the 70d(2:29-2:42). But the dancing with father and bride&groom moments near the stream was filmed with the 6D.

Then this wedding video was entirely filmed with the 6D: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1GG9rUAYvA

I used to own a Canon EOS 50D and I shot great photos with that as well as the first DSLR I had the Canon EOS 10D. It isn't the camera that does the work getting great photos, but rather the photographer him/herself. Now that I own the Canon EOS 6D I am quite impressed by the improvement of the picture quality.

I own this camera and am very happy with it. Being a mostly still photographer I also do video but with a video camera. About the only thing I can complain about here is the lack of focal point for the Automatic Focus. Otherwise it is a great camera that takes great photos. The 6D is not a good sports camera. But for portraits and outdoor photography it is a decided winner in my book.

Very comprehensive review. The most thorough review that I have ever seen. I commend you for such great documentation. I look forward to other reviews when I have the time.

I am very happy with the Canon EOS 6D camera. I purchased the kit with the 24-105 mm f4L IS USM lens. The quality and fit is exemplary of the 6D. It is more than a Pro-sumer camera. I will keep using this camera until I can replace it with the Canon 5D MkIV.

jzami69
Ive been taking photographs for 45 years and work in cinematography. Personally I think digital has surpassed film for color photography but NOT for black & white photography where film grain adds to the medium.
I bought a Canon 6d because Im invested in Canon and have been since 1972 (although I also have Olympus Pen cameras) I didnt want to pay the cost of the 5d MKIII for amateur use but wanted full-frame the 6d was it.
The pictures consistantly impress me from this camera far outstrip my 7d in IQ and the only weakness is limited focus points otherwise as a travel & landscape camera it hits the mark perfectly.

Any info about Canon might announce 6D Mk II during Photokina 2014?

Okay, someone explain. Don't compare the 6D to its peers, compare it to a camera 2, 5, 10, 50 years ago when people were creating beautiful images. The ratings annoy me because they're based on current technology and not historical technology. They're not even based on picture quality. You're nitpicking, pixel counting. Except for a lab analyst, your reviews are totally useless.

The BIGGEST WORST thing Canon did with the 6D,
is the omission of a headphone jack.

It's just UNFORGIVABLE.

Anyone who is interested in the 6D,
will end up getting a 6D,
simply because they can't afford (or justify the price of) a 5D3.

So why would you give them a handicapped tool?!

This rating of the 6D is weird to say the least. Almost every reviewer out there rated video capabilities of 6D as definitely better then Nikon d610. How on earth here it gets much lower video rating then d610?? Yet focusing is rated relatively high? What's going on? What am I missing?

Thank you.

Does anyone know if the wi-fi on the 6D supports the Pictbridge printing interface? I'd love to get the camera if it does.
Thanks much.

PLUS: Solid likeable camera with decent performance. CONS: That you know its the least they could get away with for the maximum money (roll on the MK2).

I bought this camera 7 months ago and I absolutely love it for what I use it for. I live to shoot Lightning, astrophotography, long exposure etc. and the 6D shines beautifully due to its amazing low noise sensor up to ISO6400. The standard kit lens 24mm-105mm f4 L series is amazing. So sharp and accurate.

Where it lets me down is in the studio. In the field I manual focus everything, in the studio however I prefer to use autofocus at times. The autofocus on this camera sucks. Yes it can focus on the light of a full moon, but for everyday use it’s about 3 years behind the market. My guess is that the 6D came out after the 5dIII and Canon had to make sure that people still bought the 5dIII even though the 6D sensor is better in low light hands down. The 5DIII focus system is great!

With regards to the multiple exposure and HDR modes. Both are features that I think all serious SLR cameras should have moving forward. They are fantastic!

> And as is Canon's wont, they have opted for the allure of familiarity and consistency

Am I living on a different planet? I have a 5d2, T3i/600d, and now a 6d. With just the 5d2, I got familiar enough with the user interface to work in the dark.

But the three cameras turn on/off differently. The LiveView works differently. The Mode PASM works different. Many controls are relocated. Magnify is different. Re-assign buttons is different, etc. etc. etc.

I get it that the UI has to change with fewer thumb wheels on the 600d, and missing the joy-stick on the 6d However, the on/off changes, Mode, etc. seem like poor choices.

I really didn't expect to have a re-learning curve from the 5d2 to the 6d. If I forget a head-lamp, it really slows me down at night.

Seems more like "change for the sake of change" rather than compelling improvement. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Am I the only whiner that feels this way?

Used to own a D600, sold it, prefer the 6D by a margin and love the Wi-Fi implementation.
No clue about that DP review of the D600, I find it misleading as the D600 was clearly a camera released too hasty without proper quality control.
Using Lightroom 5, does everything I need, never touched the Canon software CD.

Finally ready to make the jump to full frame after 8 years with Olympus DSLR's. After considerable research and gnashing of teeth I pulled the trigger on the 6D. I really wanted to go with the Nikon D 600 based on DP Review and various other reviews, based on features, output quality and MP, but the ongoing concerns over the sensor dust and oil spots and Nikons recalcitrant PR approach to these issues pushed me to the 6D. I just could not imagine investing $3k in full kit only to experience ongoing sensor issues. I am excited to experience the full frame format and take my amatuer photography to the next level.
How is Canon's photo management & editing software? Should I look into purchasing another package, and what does the forum recommend?

After a long deliberation, I decided to upgrade from my 5Dii to the 6D. Some may call it a sidegrade or even a downgrade, but for me, image quality is everything, and the ablity to focus and shoot in low light is paramount. I'm very happy with my decision, and so far I don't miss any of the 5D line features. I'm getting shots I wouldn't have gotten with the 5Dii (maybe not even with the mark iii), and most importantly I can afford to upgrade every one or two years with the current price point of the 6D rather than three or four with the 5D. I'd rather have more frequent updates of sensor technology instead of being left with a better built, feature packed but obsolete camera for the same money.

@ Alwynj:
The difference is more obvious when you look at the brown fibers right on top of the color chart with the lady's face. Also the black and white squares in the corners are a lot sharper with the Canon, but perhaps the used Canon lens performs better resolving detail in the corners than the Nikkor used with the D600 what might explain the difference in detail.

I don't understand DP Review. Compare the Canon 6d and Nikon D600 and they'll have you believe that the D600 edges ahead in the high ISO dept, but to my eyes the 6d wins when I use the comparative tool. Images appear slightly cleaner and sharper (in RAW). Move the box to the face of the lady and see for yourself

"The EOS 6D is Canon's attempt to entice DSLR owners who are looking for the benefits of full frame shooting - including shallower depth of field and wider-angle lens coverage, but can't afford the EOS 5D Mark III."

". . . Canon's compromises have turned what could have a been a truly great camera into merely a very good one. "

This is interesting. Do we want 6D to be like the 5D Mark III? Then why not buy the $3,500.00 camera.