One of the key themes of Photokina 2012 is shaping up be the
resurgence of the full frame format, with the launch of a raft of
cameras featuring 24x36mm sensors. First up was Sony, with its SLR-like Alpha SLT-A99 and Cyber-Shot RX1
fixed-lens compact. Now, just four days after arch-rival Nikon
announced what it billed as the 'smallest and lightest full frame DSLR'
in the shape of the D600, Canon has revealed its own contender - the EOS 6D.
The EOS 6D is best seen as a full frame version of the EOS 60D
- indeed it's very similar in both control layout and dimensions. Its
front profile is very similar to the Nikon D600, but it's rather slimmer
front-to-back, and lighter too. However it differs from the Nikon in a
number of key respects; for example it has Wi-Fi and GPS built-in, while
the D600 offers a distinctly higher spec'ed autofocus system, dual card
slots and a built-in flash.
Canon EOS 6D key specifications
- 20.2MP full frame CMOS sensor
- DIGIC 5+ image processor
- ISO 100-25600 standard, 50-102800 expanded
- 4.5 fps continuous shooting
- 'Silent' shutter mode
- 1080p30 video recording, stereo sound via external mic
- 11 point AF system, center point cross-type and sensitive to -3 EV
- 63 zone iFCL metering system
- 97% viewfinder coverage; interchangeable screens (including Eg-D grid and Eg-S fine-focus)
- 1040k dot 3:2 3" ClearView LCD (fixed)
- Single SD card slot
- Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
- Single-axis electronic level
The EOS 6D is built around a new Canon CMOS sensor, which offers a
pixel count of 20.2MP (compared to the D600 and A99's 24MP, or the 5D
Mark III's 22MP). In concert with the DIGIC 5+ processor it offers a
standard ISO range of 100-25600, expandable down to 50 and up to
102,400. The AF system has 11 points, but only the central one is
cross-type (i.e. sensitive to both vertical and horizontal
detail). However according to Canon to will operate at extremely low
light levels; right down to -3 EV – a stop dimmer than the 5D Mark III.
The EOS 6D's most eye-catching additions are integrated GPS and Wi-Fi
- their first appearance on a Canon SLR. The GPS unit includes exactly
the same functionality as on the company's compacts - it can embed
location data into every image, and has a logging function that can keep
track of where you've been through the day. This, we suspect, will be
most-popular with landscape and travel photographers.
The integrated Wi-Fi unit has the basic functionality you might
expect, allowing transfer of images to a smartphone or tablet, and
direct upload to social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube. You
can also send images directly to a Wi-Fi-enabled printer. But we think
more photographers are likely be interested by the fact that it can also
be used to turn your smartphone into a wireless remote control via Canon's EOS Remote app for iOS or Android, complete with live view and full control of exposure settings.
The EOS 6D gains Canon's silent shutter mode that we saw on the 5D
Mark III, which offers quieter, more discreet shooting. It gets
in-camera HDR and Multiple Exposure modes, but disappointingly these are
JPEG only, unlike on the 5D Mark III that also records RAW files.
There's also a single-axis electronic level to check for wonky horizons.
The 6D doesn't, however, offer the latest goodies Canon introduced
on the EOS 650D. There's no on-chip phase-detection to aid autofocus in
live view or movie mode, nor does Canon's superb touchscreen interface
make an appearance. As usual at this level the screen itself is fixed,
rather than articulated as with the 60D the camera is modeled on - Canon
says this is for maximum durability and minimum size. So if you really
want a full frame camera with an swiveling screen, the Sony A99 is your
only option.
Canon hasn't yet offered any firm commitment on pricing or
availability for the EOS 6D, but we're led to believe it will be a month
or two before it's in the shops. Its price is likely to be in the same
ball park as the Nikon D600, placing it between the EOS 7D and EOS 5D
Mark III in Canon's lineup.
source and full preview: dpreview
My personal opinion on the new Canon camera is somehow divided. I have seen the camera's JPGs which are of course filtered RAWs and cannot be used to test the camera's noise on the photographs. We'll have to wait for a full review from DPReview to see what the camera is capable of in terms of quality and light.
For me the positive features are the very good picture quality (from what I saw on JPG samples), the GPS and Wifi (although I am not sure how that translates to battery power consumption and whether you can turn both features off), the silent shutter option and the full frame format of the sensor.
I was disappointed by the terrible lack of on-board flash (just in case you need it!), low maximum shutter speed (1/4000), no phase detection on video, the lack of an articulated screen, flash X speed of 1/180(!), the mono microphone, and the low megapixel count in comparison with its rivals.
Once more, Canon disappoints the serious professionals and pushes them to Nikon cameras.
