Canon EOS M6

CANON EOS M6: full review

“New” or “latest” aren’t necessarily synonyms for “better”. And Canon EOS M6 proves it: it’s a “cheaper” version of M5. We’re right in front of a non-professional model, thought for medium-high range amateurs, which tries to fill the gaps between Canon and Sony and Fujifilm, the most important names in mirrorless cameras production at the moment.

Compared to the previous version, Canon EOS M6 is devoid of EVF viewfinder, and its LCD display can be folded up instead of down. These are the most significant differences, as for the rest… in the following review I’ll go into the technical and non-technical details, especially to try and understand if the value for money is convenient.

Design of the camera body and ergonomics

Light but not a lightweight. The camera body of Canon EOS M6 weighs 390 grams, is very easy to handle, has nice look and contained size: 112x68x44,5 millimeters. Nikon D3400, classical entry level reflex, has the same weight but bulkier size. Why the same weight? It’s the material that makes the difference: D3400’s plastic, beside not being very elegant, has a lower specific weight than the material of which is made the excellent Canon EOS M6 – in polycarbonate, metal and rubber. Available in black and in silver.

Aesthetically, nothing to complain about. The first Canon mirroless cameras weren’t really attractive, especially if compared to the Fuji ones, very attentive to design. This Canon EOS M6 is a big step forward in this sense, and seen frontally it looks very minimal with the focus sign and the button for lens release.

On the top Canon EOS M6 has most of its functions: shutter button, integrated flash (and mount for the external one), rings for shooting mode and exposure, on/off switch, two stereo directional mics.

The back of Canon EOS M6 has an excellent 3 inches display, flippable and jointed, perfect for selfies. There is also another command ring and, among the others, the button for video recording.

On the sides, a micro USB port, mini HDMI, a port for remote control, Wi-Fi connection button, flash control, output for external microphone. On the lower side there is the NFC chip, the battery and SD memory slots and the mount for the tripod.

It’s a camera body studied in details, with a decent grip and rings not too hard to reach. Of course, we must not forget that it’s still a mirrorless camera. However, I need to unveil one small flaw about the display: when it’s completely overturned, the lower part is blocked by the camera body, so… some touch functions become hidden and not selectable.

CANON EOS M6: technical features

The 24 megapixelAPS-C sensor is nothing new, it’s the same old guarantee offered by Canon, for really high quality images. In low light conditions it plods along a little, but it’s a common thing, and it has quite impressive ISO range (100-25.600). The AFsystem is signed by Canon itself, the “Dual Pixel”, a hybrid that exploits both contrast and phase. In static images it behaves very well, and is quite good also in continuous mode.

Burst mode of Canon EOS M6 is able to shoot 9 fps in RAW, with 2 seconds buffering. Compared to the M3 model, this is a considerable step forward. Also single shooting has improved: two consecutive shots need no more than half a second wait.

Canon EOS M6 has a standard viewfinder, but it doesn’t have a EVF device, purchasable separately as an optional. With these premises, it is clear that the 3 inches tilt display is even more important. With 1,040,000 dots resolution, the screen can rotate 45 degrees downwards and 180 upwards: excellent performance indoor, less performing in the sunlight, where you need to regulate brightness.

Image quality and video

The mix of sensor and processor ensures a very high quality level as far as images are concerned, which have always been the flagship of Canon. To be clear, in automatic mode the colors of jpg files don’t seem unnatural or excessive. The dynamic range is more than good.

With decent lighting, it can reach up to 6,400 ISO, reducing shutter speeds to limit digital noise. Canon EOS M6, besides, tends to underexposure in several situations, but the problem can be solved with compensation. Nothing to complain, finally, about exposure meter, white balance and HDR mode.

Moving to video recording, it must be said that Canon EOS M6 has remained in full HD (up to 60 frames per second), “missing the date” with 4K. The quality is still more than decent and, with the jack for external microphones, the audio comes out very clean. Sadly, it lacks an output for earphones, which would have made levels regulation easier.

Video functions have a stabilizing system: excellent for shooting when you’re moving, even if the device inevitably lowers the quality of the clip.

Battery and connectivity

The manufacturer claims 295 shots max for the battery of Canon EOS M6. Sure, in normal conditions. Of course, with recordings the level decreases, as well as with out-of-the-standard processing like HDR. Sadly, it is a common problem in mirrorless cameras, even if in this case the ECO mode can be useful for energy saving.

Moving to connectivity, Canon EOS M6 supports NFC, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. With the app, you can also use the camera remotely, through your smartphone. The micro USB port, and this is no good news, doesn’t work for recharge, making the use of a power bank impossible. 

MY OPINION ON CANON EOS M6

Well-built and good-looking Mirrorless, Canon EOS M6 has its strength in its small and compact camera body. The commands are well-positioned and the different modes available make it a reactive and versatile product.

Focus is good, as well as image quality, which remains excellent also in jpg format.

Talking about the limits of this Canon EOS M6, I can’t help but quote the lack of Ultra HD video recording and a not really exciting viewfinder. Not to mention the low-capacity battery that can heavily limit the workflow experience.

Having said that, before the launch on the market of Nikon Z6 and Z7, this model was a significant step forward by one of the two great reflex brands towards the level of Fujifilm, Sony and Panasonic in the field of mirrorless cameras. Especially about the mirrorless Autofocus problem.