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Canon 6D Comparison Review

The Canon EOS 6D is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was officially introduced in September 2012 and is equipped with a full frame sensor. It offers a resolution of 20 megapixel.

camera

Is the Canon 6D a good camera? The 6D has a Camera Elo of 1788. This rating puts the 6D among the top 50 percent of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (full frame cameras), the 6D ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Canon 6D
Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses
20 MP, Full Frame Sensor
1080/30p Video
ISO 100 - 25 600 (50 - 102 400)
Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
4.5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body
1090 shots per battery charge
145 x 111 x 71 mm, 770 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Canon 6D vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Canon 6D vs credit card front
6D versus credit card top view
6D and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Canon 6D alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 6D 145 mm 111 mm 71 mm 770 g 1090 Y Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 6D Mark II 144 mm 111 mm 75 mm 765 g 1200 Y Jun 2017 1,999 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1530 g 1210 Y Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 5DS 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 930 g 700 Y Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 7D II 149 mm 112 mm 78 mm 910 g 670 Y Sep 2014 1,799ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 70D 139 mm 104 mm 79 mm 755 g 920 Y Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 5D Mark III 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 950 g 950 Y Mar 2012 3,499ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 1D X 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1551 g 1120 Y Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 5D Mark II 152 mm 114 mm 75 mm 850 g 850 Y Sep 2008 3,499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D610 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D600 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Canon 6D was launched in the US market at a price of $2,099. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Canon 6D features a full frame sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Canon 6D among the large-sensor cameras that aim for top notch image quality.

Canon 6D sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 6D Full Frame 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.812.1234082
2.
 
Canon 6D Mark II Full Frame 26.0 6240 41601080/60p24.411.9286285
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.113.5320788
4.
 
Canon 5DS Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.712.4238187
5.
 
Canon 7D II APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.411.8108270
6.
 
Canon 70D APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p22.511.692668
7.
 
Canon 5D Mark III Full Frame 22.1 5760 38401080/30p24.011.7229381
8.
 
Canon 1D X Full Frame 17.9 5184 34561080/30p23.811.8278682
9.
 
Canon 5D Mark II Full Frame 21.0 5616 37441080/30p23.711.9181579
10.
 
Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.4292594
11.
 
Nikon D600 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.2298094
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The 6D indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the 6D can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the 6D has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 97% and a magnification of 0.71x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Canon 6D along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 6Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
2.
 
Canon 6D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.5/s n n
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 16.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon 5DSoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
5.
 
Canon 7D IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 70Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIIoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s n n
8.
 
Canon 1D Xoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
9.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 3.9/s n n
10.
 
Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D600optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One useful feature of the 6D is a presence of a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 6D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 6DYmono / monoY-mini2.0Y--
2.
 
Canon 6D Mark IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
4.
 
Canon 5DSYmono / monoY-mini3.0---
5.
 
Canon 7D IIYstereo / monoYYmini3.0---
6.
 
Canon 70DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
7.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIIYmono / monoYYmini2.0---
8.
 
Canon 1D XYmono / -Y-mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D600Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
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It is notable that the 6D has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Further information on the features and operation of the 6D can be found in the free online Canon 6D Manual or on the Canon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 6D. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 6D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 6D Mark II4/5+4/580/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2017 1,999 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II....4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 5DS..+..83/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 7D II4.5/5+3.5/584/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 1,799ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 70D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 5D Mark III..+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2012 3,499ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 1D X5/5......4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 5D Mark II4/591/100..79/1004/5.. Sep 2008 3,499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D6104/5+ +..87/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D6004/5+ +..87/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Canon 6D FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the 6D.

What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Canon 6D?

The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Canon 6D to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Canon equipped the 6D with the DIGIC 5+ image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon 6D?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 50-102400.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Canon EOS 6D?

Canon mentions a shutter rating of 100 000 actuations for the 6D. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the 6D over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Canon 6D?

Canon embeds the number of shutter actuations in the camera firmware. You can check the number of shots that your 6D has taken up to now by using a third-party app, as described on the Canon 6D shutter count page.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Canon 6D for flash photography?

The 6D's flash sync speed is 1/180 sec.

Does the Canon 6D support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Canon 6D use?

The camera gets its power from the LP-E6 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the Canon 6D?

Yes, Canon offers the BG-E13 as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.

Does the Canon 6D support geotagging?

The 6D has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) module and can embed location information in the EXIF data of the captured image.

Where can I find the best deals for the Canon 6D?

Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Canon.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just use the search menu below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Canon 6D
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2012
    Launch Price USD 2 099
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 36.0 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 864 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5 472 x 3 648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.57 μm
    Pixel Density 2.31 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25 600 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 102 400 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 5+
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 82
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.8
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.1
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 2340
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 97%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.71x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 4.5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Geotagging GPS built-in
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type LP-E6 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)1090 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 145 x 111 x 71 mm
    (5.7 x 4.4 x 2.8 in)
    Camera Weight 770 g (27.2 oz)

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