Canon R6: 3 months later (Real-world Review)

Hey everyone, today I'm doing something a little different and recording on two different platforms at the same time. I'm on YouTube and Instagram Live, and I have to say that my Instagram followers are my favorite, so you're getting this content first. But don't worry YouTube followers, you're still loved and you'll get the cleaned-up version later.

I've been getting a lot of questions about the Canon R6 camera, so I'm going to take some time to answer all of them for you today. I'll be talking about comparisons between the R6 and other cameras like the 1DX3 and the R5. I'll also be answering questions about battery life and what's best for weddings, as well as giving you my own experience with the camera.

In case you missed it, I did a promo video for the R6 for Canon, but I framed it in a way that was more for hobbyists and prosumers rather than professional photographers. I wanted to wait until I had the chance to use it on actual jobs before sharing my thoughts. So far, I've shot two weddings, a styled session, and a portrait session with the R6, so I've had plenty of experience with it.

One of the biggest questions I get is about the focusing system on the R6 compared to the R5. I don't think there's a difference between the two, but I'll double-check with the Canon specs. But from my experience, the focus is incredibly good. If you're currently shooting with a 5D4 or a 6D Mark II, you're not even ready for what this camera can do. I barely even think about my focus anymore because it's so good. The barrier to entry for good focusing just got lowered with this camera.

Another question I get is about the weight of the camera. I ended up shooting without a battery pack for the two weddings and styled shoots that I did and I have to say it was a lot of fun because it's super light. It's not heavy at all.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions about the Canon R6. If you're considering upgrading your camera, check out Adorama's trade-in program. They will give you more money for your old camera if you trade it in and buy a new one through them.

I recently had the opportunity to test out the Canon R6, and I have to say, I'm impressed. One of the features that stood out to me was the viewfinder. I found myself using it constantly while shooting, flipping it around to get different angles and perspectives. And thanks to the in-body stabilization, I didn't have to worry too much about camera shake. I was even able to hand-hold the camera with a 70-200 lens while shooting in New York City.

Another standout feature for me was the weight. Compared to the 1DX Mark II and III cameras I'm used to shooting with for weddings, the R6 felt like a breeze. I actually had to remind myself to put a battery pack on it. Speaking of battery life, it held up well. I changed the battery during a four-hour micro wedding and didn't need to change it again.

When it comes to the focusing system, the R6 has a better system than the R5 and R. However, the R5 does have a higher megapixel count, so it's worth considering if you're used to shooting with 30 megapixels and like to crop your images. The price difference between the R5 and R6 is also something to consider.

Another thing to note is that if you're upgrading to the R6 and have a bunch of EF lenses, it can be costly to also purchase RF lenses. But, Canon has made a few adapter options available, including one that has an ND filter built-in, and another that's less expensive and allows you to use EF lenses seamlessly.

Personally, I would recommend not piling on extra expenses if you don't have the money for it. The beauty of photography is that you can use the lenses that you already have and slowly grow your RF lens line. Of course, RF lenses are better and more expensive than EF lenses, but that doesn't mean that you can't take great photos with the lenses that you currently own.

I recently switched to using an adapter for my EF lenses and it works seamlessly. I personally haven't noticed any difference in quality, focusing, or lag. If I haven't noticed anything, then my clients certainly aren't noticing a darn thing.

One of the main concerns when it comes to new camera models is the high ISO range. Many people want to know which model is better for high ISO, the R5 or the R6. I have had the opportunity to test both cameras and I am happy to say that I am impressed with the R6's high ISO performance. I have taken some beautiful photos at high ISOs, such as 2500 and 5000, and have been able to add noise reduction to the images later.

I also recently shot a wedding in a dark restaurant and was able to capture some stunning photos at 12,800 ISO. I had no problems with the R6 in this situation and was able to shoot in natural light without using a flash.

If you are wondering how the ISO performance of the R6 compares to the R5, you can go to my YouTube channel and download raw files of two high-ISO shots of both cameras. Marissa Roper is the thumbnail, and you can pixel-peep as much as you want. However, depending on what you're shooting, our clients likely won't notice the difference, and ultimately, that's what I need to be concerned about. If the R6 and the R5 are both giving me a type of confidence that I didn't have before, then that's what's important.

One of the features that I love about the R6 is that it is WiFi enabled. This has been a game changer for me as I can now do same-day edits for my clients. The images you see here are all same-day edits that I've shown the couple on their wedding day. It's been huge as they absolutely adore seeing all these pictures the day of. I hand them an iPad with all of them on there and then I airdrop these photos to their phones before we leave for the day. This means I don't have to bring my laptop with me anymore and I can edit the photos on my phone using my Lightroom presets.

Finally, I want to talk about the R6 compared to the 1dx Mark III. People are constantly making that comparison because both of the cameras have the exact same sensor and processor. However, I don't think it's fair to compare the two of them. They are not even close to being in the same family. Someone that's going to be perfectly happy with the R6 as a camera doesn't even need the functionality or build of the 1dx3. A 1dx line is a camera tool that is specific for certain scenarios and certain types of photographers that need extreme weather sealing, fast shutters, and durability in a camera. In conclusion, I think the R6 is a great camera for weddings and portraits and I don't see the need to upgrade to the 1dx3 unless you're shooting in extreme weather conditions.

Overall, the Canon R6 is a fantastic camera with great features, and it's definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new camera. If you're interested in purchasing the R5, feel free to click on the link in my YouTube videos for a little bonus for me. Thanks for reading!