Canon finally took the wraps off the long-awaited EOS 6D, which is the latest full frame DSLR in Canon’s EOS lineup. The 6D gets Canon’s lowest retail pricepoint for a full frame shooter at $2099, which just happens to be the same price of the new Nikon D600.
The Canon 6D features a new 20.2MP CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 5+ processor. Additionally, the Canon 6D sports an 11-point AF system, a 3-inch LCD and the ability to capture HD movies at 1080p in 24p/30p. The 6D features a wide sensitivity range of ISO 100-25600 (or ISO 50-102400 with expansion).
The Canon 6D eschews the CF format for memory – opting for SDXC cards instead (another first for a full frame Canon DSLR). Additionally, the 6D offers built-in GPS with image tagging and tracking modes available.
The Canon 6D should be available in December 2012 for $2099. It is also available as a kit with the solid EF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens for $2899. Check availability here at B&H Photo.
More details in the press release below.
Canon Announces Its Smallest and Lightest Full-Frame Digital SLR Camera For Serious Photographers
The EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera Includes a New Full-Frame Sensor, Built-in Wireless and GPS
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., September 17, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today introduced the EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera, a versatile mid-range full-frame camera with the durability and performance professionals require and the creative imaging options serious photographers crave. Canon has coupled the incredible image quality of a newly designed 20.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5+ Image Processor with the creative potential of built-in Wireless and GPS features. The camera also includes an 11-point AF array and 63-zone dual-layer iFCL metering sensor together with 1080p Full HD video capabilities, in an affordable camera body. Building upon the qualities that made the EOS 5D Mark II camera so successful, the EOS 6D bridges the gap for budget-minded photographers, videographers and cinematographers who are eager to step up into the world of full-frame imaging.
“The introduction of this camera completes a well-rounded ecosystem from input through output for Canon, allowing us to provide the right combination of features for every level of photographer. We believe the EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera along with our new PIXMA Pro printers will help unlock the creative vision of so many who aspire to capture and display their artistic abilities,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.
Designed for advanced amateurs and videographers making the move to a full-frame Digital SLR, the EOS 6D fits neatly into Canon’s professional imaging system with an advanced feature set including full manual options for creative control in addition to new and intuitive automatic settings to help even novice photographers capture great images. The camera’s construction helps meet the needs of professionals with a 100,000-cycle shutter durability and EOS Integrated Cleaning System for high-quality vibration-based dust removal. Among the many advancements in Canon’s new EOS 6D is the Company’s proprietary DIGIC 5+ Image Processor that powers the camera’s fast 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion for exceptionally smooth color tones and gradation. The camera offers a full-frame, 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and continuous shooting up to 4.5 frames per second (fps).
Thanks to the combination of its new CMOS image sensor and the powerful DIGIC 5+ image processor, the EOS 6D provides a wide ISO range from 100-25600 with a low setting, L: 50 and two high settings, H1: 51200 and H2: 102400. These outstanding low-light capabilities allow the EOS 6D to easily capture dimly lit scenes such as wedding ceremonies, indoor corporate events, or landscapes at dusk. To support the ample sensitivity of the new camera’s sensor, the EOS 6D camera’s Auto Focus (AF) system includes a newly-developed 11-point AF sensor featuring a high-precision center cross-type point with an exceptional EV -3 sensitivity rating for accurate focusing even in extremely low-light conditions.
The EOS 6D has a large 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor with 1,040,000 dot VGA resolution and 170 degree viewing angle, with high-transparency multicoating for maximum protection and clarity when viewing images or navigating menu screens. When used for Live View shooting, the camera’s bright high-performance LCD screen provides 100 percent coverage, for easy focusing and framing.
Videographers, student filmmakers, and creative independent spirits will appreciate the full-frame video capabilities of the EOS 6D in an affordable and compact body. Borrowing from the best of the EOS 5D-series, the EOS 6D provides full manual control over exposure and audio levels while recording video. The camera features NTSC and PAL video modes at multiple frame rates, recording 1080p at 30 (29.97), 24 (23.976) and 25 fps, 720p at 60 (59.94) and 50 fps and standard video at 30 (29.97) and 25 fps. The camera provides up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds of continuous recording (with 4GB automatic file partitioning) in selectable All i-framei or IPB compressions with embedded timecode. Especially when used with large aperture lenses, the EOS 6D camera’s full-frame sensor offers a tremendous degree of creative control over depth-of-field, helping users to achieve pro-quality cinematic effects in Full HD video recordings.
For the ultimate in DSLR connectivity and control, the EOS 6D features a built-in wireless transmitter which allows the camera to share images and video with the user’s choice of wireless devices such as select PowerShot cameras, smartphones, or tablets, as well as cloud-based destinations including social networking sites through the Canon iMAGE GATEWAYii iii. A very intuitive and useful wireless feature is the new, free Canon EOS Remote app available for iOS and Android systems which will allow a smartphone or wireless device such as a tablet to remotely connect, control and operate the connected EOS 6Div. This seamless connection and control will open new opportunities for professional photographers shooting weddings or remote wildlife, without the need for tethered operation or accessories.
For on-location shooters, landscape photographers or enthusiast photo travelers, the EOS 6D features a built-in GPS receiver to record longitude, latitude, elevation and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) as EXIF data for seamless geo-tagging while shooting. The GPS coordinates are appended to each image and easily syncs with Canon software or mapping apps on social network sites to show image locations. Use of UTC data allows images to be chronologically mapped and trails plotted and recorded.v
To help photographers unlock their full creative potential and explore all the different avenues of digital photography, the EOS 6D includes several creative modes for image capture. First is the HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode allowing the camera to capture three separate exposures and combine them in-camera for a stunning image capturing both enhanced shadow detail and bright highlights. Next is the camera’s Multiple Exposure mode where users can combine up to nine individual images into a single composite image, with no need for later computer post-processing. Four different compositing methods are provided for maximum creative control, including Additive, Average, Bright and Dark. Compositing results can be viewed in real time on the camera’s LCD monitor, and there is a one-step Undo command that allows photographers to delete an image and try again if desired. The EOS 6D will even allow photographers to specify a previously captured RAW image as the starting point for a new Multiple Exposure composite image. In addition to HDR and Multiple Exposure modes are Canon’s standard Scene Intelligent Auto and special scene modes to capture great images with ease. The camera is compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards including the new Ultra High Speed (UHS-I) cards.
The EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $2,099.00 and it will additionally be offered in a kit version with Canon’s EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $2,899.00. Both configurations are expected to be available in December 2012.
It just feels like this camera was more of an attempt to hit a price point without trying to hit features of any other existing Canon camera rather than a model directed at a specific user base.
They avoided competing with the 60D, t4i & 5D3 by lacking live AF from the t4i, no headphone jack like the 5d3 and no tilt screen of the 60D & 4ti, no clean hdmi out, and no dual card slots.
For photography it seems weak as it is lacking a decent AF system (even something like the 7D), no dual card slots, or at least a single pro CF slot if you can only have 1 (such as the 7D), only 3 bracket exposure vs 7 of the 5d3, way slower than the 5d3 or 7D, no flash, no 100% view finder, only 1/4000 max shutter speed, only 1/180 max flash sync, and usb 2.0.
Then it seems that since this resulted in a body to inexpensive, they added gps & wifi which few people need in a DSLR rather than adding back some of the specs they removed to not compete with the other cameras.
It’s a camera that seems weak no matter what area of photography you are in:
For sports – too slow and bad focus system, no CF or dual card slots, No 100%VF, no joystick, limited controls
For Wedding/Event – No dual card slot for backup, poor focus system, slow flash sync, No 100%VF, no af joystick
For video – No live AF, no swivel screen, no headphone jack, no clean hdmi, no dual cards for backup or overflow, no silent operation like the 5D3 or D600
For studio/landscape – No 100%VF, No Backup card, only 20MP vs the D600 & D800, limited DR most likely
For Travel/consumer – No popup flash, no card backup, no swivel screen, no live af, no touch screen
What/who is this camera for. This is clearly Canon’s attempt to produce a camera without stepping on any other camera’s toes.
Instead, the best camera for each item never include the 6D:
For sports – Buy the 1Dx, 7D, or even 5D3 (don’t buy a 6D for this ever)
For Wedding/Event – buy the 5D3, 1Dx, then maybe a 7D or 6D (both have some negatives)
For video – Sony A99, 1Dc, 5D3, 1Dx, 60D, t4i, then maybe a 6D
For studio/landscape – 5D3 or go Nikon because they are the best for this with the D800 & D600
For Travel/consumer – Nikon D600 or 5D3, t4i, then maybe i’d get a 6D
Too true Dan and well put. It seems to me they did the same with the 1100d
Wow Dan. Great comment to sum all of this up.
Totally pointless camera. As someone looking to get into FF this just annoys me. Besides the FF sensor my 7D appears superior in every respect. It’s essentially pushing me to a 5DmkIII as a true upgrade and I’m not willing to drop that sort of coin just for a larger sensor.
i was waiting canon would have decent camera a week after release of nikon d600 but both of these camera manufacturers have proved to be pointless. Just a FX sensor with low other features. I would spend $1000 more to buy Nikon d800 or canon mark III.
Is this a practical joke from Canon?
Unless low light performance is better, the specs suggest the old 5D2 is a better camera at the same price point!
Well I was all excited until I read all the comments!
I still am….maybe because I’m using a very old 5D Mk I
20.2MP of full frame glory for what, maybe $1599 street.
C’mon.
Hi, it seems Canon is not taking their customers serious. Probably they want to keep up with Nikon and rush camera’s to production with a set of features that is incomplete and does not satisfy any kind of photo enthousiast. If I didn’t had that much invested in Canon lenses I would switch to Nikon.
Well… I think it is justified for 1400 less… why not? I’ll go for it!