Canon M6 Mark II vs Nikon P950

The Canon EOS M6 Mark II and the Nikon Coolpix P950 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 2019 and January 2020. The M6 Mark II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the P950 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (M6 Mark II) and a 1/2.3-inch (P950) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 32.3 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 15.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon M6 Mark II		Nikon P950
Mirrorless system camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Canon EF-M mount lenses		24-2000mm f/2.8-6.5
32.3 MP, APS-C Sensor		15.9 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200)		ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)
Viewfinder optional		Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.2 LCD, 921k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
14 shutter flaps per second		7 shutter flaps per second
305 shots per battery charge		290 shots per battery charge
120 x 70 x 49 mm, 408 g		140 x 110 x 150 mm, 1005 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS M6 Mark II and the Nikon Coolpix P950? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon M6 Mark II and the Nikon P950 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon P950 is considerably larger (83 percent) than the Canon M6 Mark II. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the M6 Mark II nor the P950 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the P950 has a lens built in, whereas the M6 Mark II is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

Concerning battery life, the M6 Mark II gets 305 shots out of its LP-E17 battery, while the P950 can take 290 images on a single charge of its EN-EL20a power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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 M6 Mark II	120 mm	70 mm	49 mm	408 g	305	n	Aug 2019	849
2.		Nikon P950	140 mm	110 mm	150 mm	1005 g	290	n	Jan 2020	799
3.		Canon M50 Mark II	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	387 g	305	n	Oct 2020	599
4.		Canon M200	108 mm	67 mm	35 mm	299 g	315	n	Sep 2019	549
5.		Canon SL3	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	449 g	1070	n	Apr 2019	599
6.		Canon G5 X Mark II	111 mm	61 mm	46 mm	340 g	230	n	Jul 2019	899
7.		Canon M50	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	390 g	235	n	Feb 2018	779
8.		Canon T7	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	475 g	500	n	Feb 2018	449
9.		Canon T100	129 mm	102 mm	77 mm	436 g	500	n	Feb 2018	399
10.		Canon M6	112 mm	68 mm	45 mm	390 g	295	n	Feb 2017	779
11.		Canon M5	116 mm	89 mm	61 mm	427 g	295	n	Sep 2016	979
12.		Canon M3	111 mm	68 mm	44 mm	366 g	250	n	Feb 2015	679
13.		Leica V-LUX 2	124 mm	80 mm	95 mm	520 g	410	n	Sep 2010	849
14.		Nikon B600	122 mm	82 mm	99 mm	500 g	280	n	Jan 2019	349
15.		Nikon A1000	114 mm	72 mm	41 mm	330 g	250	n	Jan 2019	429
16.		Nikon P1000	146 mm	119 mm	181 mm	1415 g	250	n	Jul 2018	999
17.		Nikon P900	140 mm	103 mm	137 mm	899 g	360	n	Mar 2015	599
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The P950 was launched at a lower price than the M6 Mark II, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon M6 Mark II features an APS-C sensor and the Nikon P950 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the P950 is 92 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 5.6. The sensor in the M6 Mark II has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the P950 offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 32.3MP, the M6 Mark II offers a higher resolution than the P950 (15.9MP), but the M6 Mark II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.23μm versus 1.33μm for the P950) due to its larger sensor. However, the P950 is a somewhat more recent model (by 4 months) than the M6 Mark II, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the P950 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon M6 Mark II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the M6 Mark II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 34.8 x 23.2 inches or 88.4 x 58.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 27.8 x 18.6 inches or 70.7 x 47.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 23.2 x 15.5 inches or 58.9 x 39.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon P950 are 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The M6 Mark II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS M6 Mark II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Coolpix P950 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports		DXO Overall
1.		Canon M6 Mark II	APS-C	32.3	6960	4640	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
2.		Nikon P950	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
3.		Canon M50 Mark II	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	..	..	..		..
4.		Canon M200	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4k/25p	..	..	..		..
5.		Canon SL3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/25p	..	..	..		..
6.		Canon G5 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
7.		Canon M50	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	..	..	..		..
8.		Canon T7	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	..	..	..		..
9.		Canon T100	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.4	695		63
10.		Canon M6	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
11.		Canon M5	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.4	12.4	1262		77
12.		Canon M3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.8	11.8	1169		72
13.		Leica V-LUX 2	1/2.3	14.0	4320	3240	1080/60i	..	..	..		..
14.		Nikon B600	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	..	..	..		..
15.		Nikon A1000	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
16.		Nikon P1000	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
17.		Nikon P900	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	..	..	..		..

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the P950 has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the M6 Mark II relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the M6 Mark II can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF-DC2. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon M6 Mark II and Nikon P950 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon M6 Mark II	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	14.0	Y	n
2.		Nikon P950	2359	n	3.2	921	swivel	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	Y
3.		Canon M50 Mark II	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n
4.		Canon M200	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.1	Y	n
5.		Canon SL3	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
6.		Canon G5 X Mark II	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	30	Y	Y
7.		Canon M50	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n
8.		Canon T7	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
9.		Canon T100	optical	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
10.		Canon M6	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	n
11.		Canon M5	2360	n	3.2	1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	n
12.		Canon M3	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	4.2	Y	n
13.		Leica V-LUX 2	202	n	3.0	460	swivel	n	1/2000s	11.0	Y	Y
14.		Nikon B600	none	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.4	Y	Y
15.		Nikon A1000	1166	n	3.0	1036	tilting	Y	1/4000s	7.0	Y	Y
16.		Nikon P1000	2359	n	3.2	921	swivel	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	Y
17.		Nikon P900	921	n	3.0	921	swivel	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	Y

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The M6 Mark II has a touchscreen, while the P950 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the M6 Mark II is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Canon M6 Mark II and the Nikon P950 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the M6 Mark II and the P950 write their files to SDXC cards. The M6 Mark II supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the P950 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity 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 M6 Mark II and Nikon Coolpix P950 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon M6 Mark II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
2.		Nikon P950	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon M50 Mark II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon M200	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Canon SL3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
6.		Canon G5 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
7.		Canon M50	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Canon T7	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Canon T100	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Canon M6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
11.		Canon M5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
12.		Canon M3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Leica V-LUX 2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Nikon B600	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Nikon A1000	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
16.		Nikon P1000	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
17.		Nikon P900	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

Both the M6 Mark II and the P950 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The M6 Mark II replaced the earlier Canon M6, while the P950 followed on from the Nikon P900. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon M6 Mark II better than the Nikon P950 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS M6 Mark II:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (32.3 vs 15.9MP) with a 45% higher linear resolution.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 921k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• More compact: Is smaller (120x70mm vs 140x110mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2019).

Advantages of the Nikon Coolpix P950:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the M6 Mark II necessitates an extra lens.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (4 months) more recently.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the M6 Mark II is the clear winner of the match-up (15 : 8 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon M6 Mark II and the Nikon P950 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the M6 Mark II or the P950. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)			Street Price
1.		Canon M6 Mark II	..	+	85/100	4/5	4/5	Aug 2019	849
2.		Nikon P950	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2020	799
3.		Canon M50 Mark II	4/5	..	..	4.5/5	3.5/5	Oct 2020	599
4.		Canon M200	..	+	79/100	4/5	4/5	Sep 2019	549
5.		Canon SL3	..	o	79/100	4/5	4/5	Apr 2019	599
6.		Canon G5 X Mark II	4/5	+	82/100	..	4/5	Jul 2019	899
7.		Canon M50	..	+	79/100	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	779
8.		Canon T7	..	o	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449
9.		Canon T100	..	o	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	399
10.		Canon M6	..	..	80/100	4/5	4/5	Feb 2017	779
11.		Canon M5	4/5	+	82/100	4/5	4/5	Sep 2016	979
12.		Canon M3	4/5	o	75/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	679
13.		Leica V-LUX 2	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2010	849
14.		Nikon B600	..	+	..	3.5/5	3/5	Jan 2019	349
15.		Nikon A1000	..	+ +	..	3.5/5	3/5	Jan 2019	429
16.		Nikon P1000	..	+	73/100	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jul 2018	999
17.		Nikon P900	..	..	77/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2015	599
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As 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: Canon M6 Mark II vs Nikon P950

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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