6D vs 6D MkII

I'm a very casual shooter with my many years old 60d. It's served me well, but I find the low ISO letting me down once in a while. I've been thinking of picking up a used 6d to give me FF (I use a 70-200 L 99.5% of the time) and the ISO bump. Due to how casual I am with it (only shoot a couple times a year for no particular reason) I don't want to spend much. I was tempted to spend a bit more on the 6d MKII but seems the differences aren't worth the extra $. Any opinions on this?!

I have a 6D and as you say it is fantastic at low ISO. I have no intention of ever replacing it with the MkII. It offers me no advantage over the original.

A 6Dii was my first full frame camera and it's still one of my daily drivers. I picked up a 6D classic for a few months as a second body. The mark ii just seems way more modern.

More resolution, Digic 7 processor, 45-point cross-type autofocus, better metering, etc.

The improved viewfinder overlays, including a level, and the touch/swivel screen were 2 things that didn't seem to be that big of a deal until I didn't have them. I sold the 6D when I got a 5Div. At one point I ended up with 2 5Div bodies and figured I'd sell the 6Dii. I went to take pictures of it for an ad. That's the kind of shot I usually make in live view with a swivel screen. I switched the camera on the table with the camera on the tripod and put a 5Div in the ad.

I'm not a casual shooter. My cameras get used a lot and I really do like my 6Dii. If I was looking for a bargain, though, I'd certainly consider a 6D. You'll like it much better than your 60D.

drsilver wrote in post #19359419
A 6Dii was my first full frame camera and it's still one of my daily drivers. I picked up a 6D classic for a few months as a second body. The mark ii just seems way more modern.

More resolution, Digic 7 processor, 45-point cross-type autofocus, better metering, etc.

The improved viewfinder overlays, including a level, and the touch/swivel screen were 2 things that didn't seem to be that big of a deal until I didn't have them. I sold the 6D when I got a 5Div. At one point I ended up with 2 5Div bodies and figured I'd sell the 6Dii. I went to take pictures of it for an ad. That's the kind of shot I usually make in live view with a swivel screen. I switched the camera on the table with the camera on the tripod and put a 5Div in the ad.

I'm not a casual shooter. My cameras get used a lot and I really do like my 6Dii. If I was looking for a bargain, though, I'd certainly consider a 6D. You'll like it much better than your 60D.

same i end up purchasing 6D as a backup cam. 6D is a great camera p

Went from t6i to 6D about a year ago. Gave up 4mp, the flippy screen, usable AF during live view, and my beloved 55-250 stm but I would do it again. The 6d files are super clean, the iso performance is amazing (especially higher up), and the larger viewfinder was an unexpected bonus.

For the current prices (400-550) it’s a lot of camera and I think would be a great addition for causal shooting and to see what FF offers.

When I get the itch to buy new gear, the last thing I want to hear is: "you don't need new gear". I'm fortunate enough to have the means for buying a fair amount, and photography has been "my thing" for almost 50 years. Because it's "my thing" I have an easier time justifying GAS than some others. However, I don't buy a lot of bodies. I wait for a couple of bumps up before buying the next one. Going from a 60 to a 6 is big (enough) in some ways, but maybe not in others.

A while back, I went from a 60 to a 6 (mk1) and loved almost everything about the 6. The low-light was great. It could focus in nearly dark conditions. I loved returning back to the full-frame perspective of my EF lenses (accumulated since the film days). The only thing that I was unimpressed by was the auto-focus (other than the center point). I later picked up a 5Dmk3 as my next body and then the difference in AF systems was abundantly clear. (I've since moved to an R6 which is on another level for AF performance.)

The sensor performance (going from the 60 to the 6) is certainly better. Less noise, better color. However, the AF is not much of an improvement, and (IMO) not enough to justify the jump.

You've only listed a couple of lenses in your signature line, so it doesn't look like you're heavily invested in the Canon system. And you're only shooting a couple times per year. If the things that keep you from shooting more often are based on the 60 hardware, and if life is taking you down a path to be shooting more, then yeah I might consider that upgrade. Maybe a new baby in the family? Maybe kids are getting into sports?

For the new baby scenario (closeups, portraits), then switch to the full-frame perspective might be a blast to work with. More area means closer and closer means better portraits. If it's sports, then the crop sensor may be more satisfying and the 6 would be a disappointment. What kinds of subjects are you interested in?

There are some additional (and cheaper) ways to stoke the interest in photography, if you're on the fence. If you're not already familiar with some of the aspects of composition, then maybe pick up a book (or watch some videos, or whatever) about composition. The information applies to your existing camera, a new camera or your phone-camera. So the value of a book is pretty high. And reading it might inspire you to go shooting with the 60 some more. At that point, you might identify some specific reasons about the full-frame or low-light performance and it will be easier to justify the upgrade to the 6. And if this doesn't pan out, then there won't be much buyer's remorse for a book.

There are many books out there. A couple that I've enjoyed and have recommended to others are "The Photographer's Eye" by Michael Freeman, or "The Art of the Photograph" by Art Wolfe. These are by no means the only or the best choices.

Hi, I purchased a 6D soon after it came out. Yes, I was happy with the camera except for the poor AF coverage. I was using it to also shoot equestrian and sporting activities of my children and the close grouping of the AF points wasn't ideal. In fact I ended up shooting with a 700D as it had better spacing of its AF points. The 6Dii, whilst a great improvement and also has 45 AF points but again these are grouped quite tigthly. I sold my 6D and moved to an 80D which solves the AF grouping issue for me.

I am still without a FF camera and would like to acquire something FF. Now that mirrorless is in and EF lenses are on the way out I am not sure what to do. I'm thinking I will hold out for a R6 and keep my existing EF FF lens line-up as I have heavily invested in them.

How about an EOS-R - these seem to selling second hand and with the chip shortage not sure if prices are currently higher than normal?

shocolite wrote in post #19360414
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I am still without a FF camera and would like to acquire something FF. Now that mirrorless is in and EF lenses are on the way out I am not sure what to do. I'm thinking I will hold out for a R6 and keep my existing EF FF lens line-up as I have heavily invested in them.

How about an EOS-R - these seem to selling second hand and with the chip shortage not sure if prices are currently higher than normal?

I have over 30 EF or EF-S lenses. I bought an EF-R adapter and an R-series body. I'm absolutely loving that combination and I didn't need to walk away from even a single lens. Whether you get an R, R6, R5 or R3 now becomes a choice that's available to you.

Thanks for the thoughtful replies all, nice that a forum like this is still around! I ended up going for used 6D, shot some kids hockey with it on the weekend and I'm quite happy with the results. The other upside to all this is gifting my sister the 60d. Her old Rebel broke and she couldn't afford to replace it for years now, so we're both happy in the end!

We got a 20D when they were first announced, then the obvious set of full frame zooms
with the intention of "upgrading" to a matching body when they became reasonable.
Somehow missed getting a 5DII, but eventually did get a 6D, which is fine with a wide zoom for landscapes,
but I seemingly habitually visualize in crop body terms. After moving to South Carolina's low country,
birds and particularly in-flight became compelling, so naturally grabbed a used 7DII.
Canon DSLR bodies may become obsolete, but they rarely fail.

Based on my admittedly limited experience, few digital viewfinders are great,
so you may want to consider renting or borrowing a copy of whatever mirrorless body seems interesting
to verify whether its viewfinder latency and resolution are tolerable.

The full frame body was for me more compelling as an idea than actual use.
The 7DII for birds in flight, 6D for landscapes and 90D for everything else works for me.
That old 20D with 70-200 on a tripod is on constant sentry duty, watching our lagoon.

Oristo wrote in post #19363758
We got a 20D when they were first announced, then the obvious set of full frame zooms
with the intention of "upgrading" to a matching body when they became reasonable.
Somehow missed getting a 5DII, but eventually did get a 6D, which is fine with a wide zoom for landscapes,
but I seemingly habitually visualize in crop body terms. After moving to South Carolina's low country,
birds and particularly in-flight became compelling, so naturally grabbed a used 7DII.
Canon DSLR bodies may become obsolete, but they rarely fail.

Based on my admittedly limited experience, few digital viewfinders are great,
so you may want to consider renting or borrowing a copy of whatever mirrorless body seems interesting
to verify whether its viewfinder latency and resolution are tolerable.

The full frame body was for me more compelling as an idea than actual use.
The 7DII for birds in flight, 6D for landscapes and 90D for everything else works for me.
That old 20D with 70-200 on a tripod is on constant sentry duty, watching our lagoon.

Welcome from Columbia!

I sold my DSLR gear and moved to mirrorless when everything seemed to be going that way, back in early m43 days... To me, the mirrorless camera didn't 'feel' the same. It really didn't make me excited about taking pictures and I eventually sold off all my gear as cameras on phones got better.

I've recently taken a new job that will be giving me a lot more free time to enjoy with the family and I have started getting back into photography. After picking up an old Rebel DSLR that my daughter has had sitting around for years, I instantly got that excitement about taking pictures again.

There's just something about a DSLR that gives you a real feeling of control over the output. I prefer the primitive DSLR menus that you get on older EOS cameras and nothing quite replaces the sound/feeling of that mirror 'clack'. I picked up a Nifty50 (STM) and knew I had to find a FF camera to go with it. Now I have a 6D on the way and can't wait to start capturing the world around me in all the glory of that Canon Color-Science!

nrowensby wrote in post #19363766
There's just something about a DSLR that gives you a real feeling of control ... and nothing quite replaces the sound/feeling of that mirror 'clack'.

^^^--- This is why I have a view camera. When you're looking for the art of capturing an image, it's hard to beat loading up sheet film, composing with front and back standards, focusing with a loupe on the rear glass, positioning the film back and ... click. And then waiting to get the film processed. And if you can enjoy that whole process, then you must love photography!

Side by side feature compare of 60D > 6D > 6DII

Not used either one, but usually I would recommend a MkII if available for most things assuming the cost differential isn't obscene. You get newer tech and additional features that will be on the support list longer. But, both bodies are indeed perfectly capable.

MkII, though, will net you a very minor weight savings (@10g), moderate resolution gain (@6MP), faster image processor (DIGIC 7 vs 5+) and built-in wireless that allows for remote shooting from PC or smart device via the Canon Connect app, among others.

I already had a 6D but recently got a 90D for focus stacking and high resolution,
and really like its flippy touch screen.
By itself, that would suffice to bias my decision in favor of a MkII,
particularly since some eBay MkII used sales run only US$200 or so more than first gen.

I still have my 6D, and intend to keep it even though I also have a mirrorless. Beautiful files, and low light is also really nice. It's a great camera.