Canon EOS M6 Mark II Body

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Announced at the same time as the EOS 90D DSLR, the Canon EOS M6 Mark II is a new mid-range mirrorless camera aimed at enthusiast photographers. It has a 32.5 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, the highest resolution ever found in a Canon cropped sensor mirrorless camera, which is joined by Canon’s latest Digic 8 processor. On the video side, there’s 4K recording at up to 30p and Full HD footage at frame rates up to 120p. 4K is uncropped, which potentially makes the M6 II just as appealing to videographers as to stills photographers.

With the right lens, the Canon EOS M6 Mark II can excel, however, with the kit lens, the camera is a different story.

Canon’s M6 Mark II is a camera with two different faces. On the plus side, it delivers 14 fps burst shooting speeds, beating all of its rival products. It also has fast autofocus with eye- and face-detection that’s good, though not quite up to Sony’s level. It’s the first Canon mirrorless camera with full-sensor 4K video. And, with a 32-megapixel sensor, it’s the highest-resolution APS-C camera yet. The problem is that Canon’s EOS-M lenses aren’t sharp enough to handle that resolution, and while it’s billed as a photographer’s camera, it doesn’t have a built-in EVF like the competition. Also, the 4K video is softer than on other cameras. It delivers well on the speed and image quality, but if you don’t need that, you’d be better off with Fujifilm’s more versatile X-T30.

The EOS M6 Mark II becomes Canon’s flagship mirrorless camera with an APSC sensor. The combination of a new 32.5 Megapixel sensor and DIGIC 8 processor banishes many of the annoyances of earlier Canon bodies, allowing the M6 II to shoot uncropped 4k video and 14fps bursts, both with decent autofocus. The photos can out-resolve 24 Megapixel rivals, but not by a huge margin and only when fitted with a quality lens - like the EF-M 32mm f1.4 or one of Sigma’s APSC primes. Fortunately the M6 II does a great job autofocusing adapted EF DSLR lenses, but they’re generally bigger and heavier than native models. It’s great to finally enjoy uncropped 4k with Dual Pixel AF on an EOS M body, but while it’s more detailed than 1080 footage, it’s nowhere near as detailed as 4k from the Sony A6400 or Fujifilm X-T30 and there’s no 24p in any mode. Making up for it for most people though is the confident Dual Pixel autofocus. As a mid-range model, there’s no built-in viewfinder, instead relying on an accessory, and anything you mount on the hotshoe will block the screen from flipping-up to face you. Surprisingly the EOS 90D launched alongside it is actually better-suited for video, but even stranger the M6 II is preferable for sports, action and wildlife. Ultimately the M6 II faces tough competition from the Sony A6400 and Fujifilm X-T30, both of which feature built-in viewfinders, sharper 4k video, a broader selection of native lenses and both charging and power delivery from any USB source. But the M6 II fights back with Dual Pixel autofocus, faster mechanical bursts and arguably the best grip and controls. There is no clear winner overall, so you’ll need to weigh-up their respective pros and cons, but the M6 II still has more than enough going for it to earn itself a Recommendation.

The Canon EOS M6 Mark II is a very capable camera that's now supported by a reasonable range of EF-M lenses. Improved autofocus and refined ergonomics make it a likeable and engaging camera to shoot with.