Review of Canon EOS M6 Mark II
I realized that the M6 Mark II hides much greater potential than may initially seem evident on the first day of testing when I took it for photographing animals to the Dvůr Králové Safari Park.
I didn’t choose this location randomly but because I have a close relationship with animal photography, and mainly because I see significant utilization of the M6 Mark II’s strong parameters in such usage.
At first, I was a bit concerned about the APS-C sensor with a resolution of 32.5 MP regarding the resulting image quality, especially regarding noise. To my surprise, it performs very well, even when using higher ISO values, such as 3200. Thus, higher resolution is definitely a significant plus compared to the previous version because, especially when using quality lenses, the photos achieve rich detail.
Another reason why I decided to test the M6 Mark II for animal photography is its burst shooting speed of 14 fps and the fastest shutter speed of 1/8000s with a mechanical shutter and 1/16000s with an electronic shutter. I appreciated this especially with animals constantly in motion, as I aimed to completely freeze their movement.
I decided to test the M6 Mark II together with Canon EF lenses, which can be used with an EF-M to EF mount adapter, typically used for traditional DSLRs. The lenses communicate flawlessly with the camera, and focusing with 5481 AF points works quickly and accurately even in Servo mode when tracking subjects. This combination with EF lenses seems absolutely brilliant to me, especially if you’re looking for an ideal camera for vacation. You don’t want to carry a larger camera, yet you want to take professional-quality photos. The M6 Mark II is also a good choice for beginner photographers who want a simple camera that offers plenty of room for improvement in both photography and videography.
If you’re considering a second backup body for your DSLR/mirrorless camera and don’t want to significantly increase the weight and size of your photography gear, then this is, in my opinion, one of the ideal candidates. Believe me, if you have it in your camera bag as an extra, you won’t even notice it.
Another aspect I was curious about was the battery life of the M6 Mark II. In this regard, it surprised me the most. Although it is stated to have a battery life of 410 shots, I managed to capture precisely 712 shots and about 5 minutes of 4K 30fps video on a single battery during all-day use.
I also tested the M6 Mark II for portrait photography with the 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, where I especially appreciated eye autofocus. Even when using the lowest aperture of f/1.4, the photos are sharp as they should be.
The only thing I would criticize about the M6 Mark II concerns its ergonomics when using larger and heavier lenses, such as the 70-200mm f/2.8. This lens adds some weight, and I would appreciate a slightly longer grip in this case. However, this is just my subjective opinion, and with the use of native EF-M lenses, which are smaller and lighter, this issue probably wouldn’t arise.
As for the camera’s features, I have nothing to complain about. The absence of a built-in electronic viewfinder doesn’t bother me at all as a fan of traditional DSLRs with optical viewfinders. However, if someone still desires it, an external electronic viewfinder can be used in the hot shoe on the top. The touchscreen display, Bluetooth, NFC, and WiFi connectivity are pleasant standards in today’s cameras and are all present here.
Overall, I rate the Canon EOS M6 Mark II as a very well-designed camera, and I will definitely enjoy shooting with it again sometime. I may even add it to my photography gear as a backup body for travel purposes.