Canon EOS R6: the king of low light
When you photograph the northern lights, stars and animals at dusk, you need a camera that isn't afraid of the dark. The Canon EOS R6 is exactly that. With 20 MP it has no record resolution, but its clean images at high ISO are exceptional. Here's my review after years of shooting in the Arctic and on the road.
Key specs
- 20.1 MP full-frame sensor (derived from the 1D X Mark III), DIGIC X.
- In-body stabilisation (IBIS) up to 8 stops (with selected lenses).
- 12 fps mechanical bursts, 20 fps electronic.
- Dual Pixel AF II with eye detection for people, animals and birds, focusing down to −6.5 EV.
- Two SD UHS-II slots.
- 4K 60p video oversampled from 5.1K, 10-bit C-Log and HDR PQ.
- Fully articulating screen, 3.69-million-dot viewfinder.
Low light and the northern lights
This is where the R6 shines. Shots at ISO 6400 are clean, at ISO 12,800 usable. Photographing the aurora with an f/2.8 lens, I can shorten the exposure to 2–3 seconds and capture the structure of a fast-moving aurora without noise. The autofocus locks on in the dark, where other cameras fail. You'll find my settings in the guide how to photograph the northern lights.
Autofocus on animals
Animal and bird eye detection works brilliantly. For wildlife (reindeer, birds, sea lions) it's a huge help: the camera holds focus on the eye even as the animal moves.
Resolution: enough or too little?
20 MP is enough for the web, social media and prints up to A3. For big prints and crops, though, detail is missing. That's why I prefer to shoot landscapes on the Canon R5 with 45 MP. For me the R6 is the night and action camera.
Video and overheating
The video is good, but in 4K 60p the R6 overheats after a while and stops recording. For short travel clips that doesn't matter; for long interviews it does. The Mark II largely solved the problem.
Battery
The LP-E6NH battery lasts about 380 shots with the viewfinder (CIPA), more in practice. In the cold, though, noticeably fewer, so for a night above the Arctic Circle I take three batteries.
Verdict
Pros: high-ISO noise, autofocus in the dark, IBIS, ergonomics, two SD slots. Cons: 20 MP for landscapes, overheating in 4K, battery life in the cold.
The R6 is ideal for photographers of the night sky, weddings, action and wildlife. Its successor, the R6 Mark II, brought 24 MP and better video.
Faq
Is the Canon R6 good for the northern lights?
Yes, it's one of the best thanks to low noise at high ISO and focusing in the dark.
Does the Canon R6 overheat?
During long 4K 60p recordings, yes. When taking photos the problem doesn't show.
Canon R6 or R5?
The R6 for night photography, action and smaller files. The R5 for landscapes, prints and 8K video.
