PWJul 1, 2022

Canon 5D Mark IV vs 6D Mark II

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Canon EOS 6D Mark II are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively,
in August 2016 and June 2017. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with a full frame sensor. The 5D Mark IV has a resolution of 30.1 megapixels, whereas the 6D Mark II provides 26 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 5D Mark IV

 

Canon 6D Mark II

Digital single lens reflex

Digital single lens reflex

Canon EF mount lenses

Canon EF mount lenses

30.1 MP – Full Frame sensor

26 MP – Full Frame sensor

4K/30p Video

1080/60p Video

ISO 100-32,000 (50 – 102,400)

ISO 100-40,000 (50 – 102,400)

Optical viewfinder

Optical viewfinder

3.2″ LCD – 1620k dots

3.0″ LCD – 1040k dots

Fixed touchscreen

Swivel touchscreen

7 shutter flaps per second

6.5 shutter flaps per second

Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body900 shots per battery charge1200 shots per battery charge

151 x 116 x 76 mm, 890 g

144 x 111 x 75 mm, 765 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the
Canon EOS 6D Mark II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 5D Mark IV and the Canon 6D Mark II is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Canon 6D Mark II is notably smaller (9 percent) than the Canon 5D Mark IV. Moreover, the 6D Mark II is markedly lighter (14 percent) than the 5D Mark IV. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses
that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses.
You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 6D Mark II was launched at a markedly lower price (by 43 percent) than the 5D Mark IV, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a full frame sensor, but their sensors
differ slightly in size. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the 6D Mark II uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 7)
than the 5D Mark IV (DIGIC 6+), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

With 30.1MP, the 5D Mark IV offers a higher
resolution than the 6D Mark II (26MP), but the 5D Mark IV has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of
5.36μm versus 5.76μm for the 6D Mark II). Moreover, the 6D Mark II is a somewhat more recent model (by 10 months) than the 5D Mark IV, and its sensor
might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 5D Mark IV implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the
possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 5D Mark IV for good quality output (200 dots per inch)
amounts to 33.6 x 22.4 inches or 85.3 x 56.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 26.9 x 17.9 inches or 68.3 x 45.5 cm, and for
excellent quality (300 dpi) 22.4 x 14.9 inches or 56.9 x 37.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 6D Mark II are
31.2 x 20.8 inches or 79.2 x 52.8 cm for good quality, 25 x 16.6 inches or 63.4 x 42.3 cm for very good quality, and 20.8 x 13.9 inches or 52.8 x 35.2 cm for
excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 32000, which can be extended to ISO 50-102400.
The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 6D Mark II are ISO 100 to ISO 40000, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-102400.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range (“DXO Landscape”), color depth (“DXO Portrait”), and low-light sensitivity (“DXO Sports”). Of the two cameras under review, the 5D Mark IV has a notably higher overall DXO score than the 6D Mark II (overall score 6 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.4 bits higher color depth, 1.7 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.1 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

 
 
Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall

1.

 

Canon 5D Mark IV Full Frame 30.1 6720 44804K/30p24.813.62995912.

 

Canon 6D Mark II Full Frame 26.0 6240 41601080/60p24.411.92862853.

 

Canon 1D X Mark II Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.113.53207884.

 

Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.21135795.

 

Canon 5DS Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.712.42381876.

 

Canon 5DS R Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.612.42308867.

 

Canon 5D Mark III Full Frame 22.1 5760 38401080/30p24.011.72293818.

 

Canon 6D Full Frame 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.812.12340829.

 

Canon 5D Mark II Full Frame 21.0 5616 37441080/30p23.711.918157910.

 

Canon 5D Full Frame 12.7 4368 2912none22.911.113687111.

 

Nikon D850 Full Frame 45.4 8256 55044K/30p26.414.8266010012.

 

Nikon D750 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/60p24.814.529569313.

 

Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.429259414.

 

Nikon D800 Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/30p25.314.428539515.

 

Nikon D800E Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/30p25.614.3297996

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the 5D Mark IV provides a higher video resolution than the 6D Mark II. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the 6D Mark II is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 5D Mark IV and the 6D Mark II are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder.
The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the 5D Mark IV offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the
6D Mark II (98%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. On the other hand,
the viewfinder of the 6D Mark II has a higher magnification (0.72x vs 0.71x),
so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 5D Mark IV and Canon 6D Mark II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

 
 
Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab

1.

 

Canon 5D Mark IVoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 7.0/s n n
2.

 

Canon 6D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.5/s n n
3.

 

Canon 1D X Mark IIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 16.0/s n n
4.

 

Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
5.

 

Canon 5DSoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
6.

 

Canon 5DS Roptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
7.

 

Canon 5D Mark IIIoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s n n
8.

 

Canon 6Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s n n
9.

 

Canon 5D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 3.9/s n n
10.

 

Canon 5Doptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s n n
11.

 

Nikon D850optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n n
12.

 

Nikon D750optical Y3.2 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
13.

 

Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
14.

 

Nikon D800optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 4.0/s Y n
15.

 

Nikon D800Eoptical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 4.0/s Y n

Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by
vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the 5D Mark IV does not have a selfie-screen.

The Canon 5D Mark IV and the Canon 6D Mark II both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to
capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The 5D Mark IV writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SDXC cards, while the 6D Mark II uses SDXC cards. The 5D Mark IV features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the 6D Mark II
only has one slot. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS 6D Mark II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

 
 
Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support

1.

 

Canon 5D Mark IVYmono / monoYYmini3.0YY-
2.

 

Canon 6D Mark IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
3.

 

Canon 1D X Mark IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0—
4.

 

Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
5.

 

Canon 5DSYmono / monoY-mini3.0—
6.

 

Canon 5DS RYmono / monoY-mini3.0—
7.

 

Canon 5D Mark IIIYmono / monoYYmini2.0—
8.

 

Canon 6DYmono / monoY-mini2.0Y–
9.

 

Canon 5D Mark IIYmono / monoY-mini2.0—
10.

 

Canon 5DY

–

 / 

–

—2.0—
11.

 

Nikon D850Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
12.

 

Nikon D750Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y–
13.

 

Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0—
14.

 

Nikon D800Ymono / monoYYmini3.0—
15.

 

Nikon D800EYmono / monoYYmini3.0—

It is notable that the 5D Mark IV has a headphone jack, which is not present on the 6D Mark II
This port makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 5D Mark IV (unlike the 6D Mark II) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights
can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that both cameras feature internal geolocalization sensors and can record GPS coordinates
in their EXIF data.

Both the 5D Mark IV and the 6D Mark II are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The 5D Mark IV replaced the earlier Canon 5D Mark III, while the 6D Mark II followed on from the Canon 6D. Further information on the features and operation of the 5D Mark IV and 6D Mark II can be found, respectively, in the
Canon 5D Mark IV Manual (free pdf) or the
online Canon 6D Mark II Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 5D Mark IV and the Canon 6D Mark II? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (30.1 vs 26MP) with a 8% higher linear resolution.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (6 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
• More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1.7 EV of extra DR).
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 98%).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2″ vs 3.0″) for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1620k vs 1040k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2016).

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II:

• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 7 vs DIGIC 6+).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.72x vs 0.71x).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 125g or 14 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1200 versus 900) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (43 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (10 months) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 5D Mark IV is the clear winner of the match-up (13 : 9 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges
from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera
is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

5D Mark IV 13

:

09 6D Mark II

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 5D Mark IV and the Canon 6D Mark II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest
Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 5D Mark IV and the 6D Mark II in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge,
reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

~

Specifications: Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 6D Mark II

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

Camera Specifications

Camera Model

Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 6D Mark II

Camera Type

Digital single lens reflex

Digital single lens reflex

Camera Lens

Canon EF mount lenses

Canon EF mount lenses

Launch Date

August 2016

June 2017

Launch Price

USD 3,499

USD 1,999

Sensor Specs

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 6D Mark II

Sensor Technology

CMOS

CMOS

Sensor Format

Full Frame Sensor

Full Frame Sensor

Sensor Size

36.0 x 24.0 mm

35.9 x 24.0 mm

Sensor Area

864 mm2

861.6 mm2

Sensor Diagonal

43.3 mm

43.2 mm

Crop Factor

1.0x

1.0x

Sensor Resolution

30.1 Megapixels

26 Megapixels

Image Resolution

6720 x 4480 pixels

6240 x 4160 pixels

Pixel Pitch

5.36 μm

5.76 μm

Pixel Density

3.48 MP/cm2

3.01 MP/cm2

Moiré control

Anti-Alias filter

Anti-Alias filter

Movie Capability

4K/30p Video

1080/60p Video

ISO Setting

100 – 32,000 ISO

100 – 40,000 ISO

ISO Boost

50 – 102,400 ISO

50 – 102,400 ISO

Image Processor

DIGIC 6+

DIGIC 7

DXO Sensor Quality (score)

91

85

DXO Color Depth (bits)

24.8

24.4

DXO Dynamic Range (EV)

13.6

11.9

DXO Low Light (ISO)

2995

2862

Screen Specs

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 6D Mark II

Viewfinder Type

Optical viewfinder

Optical viewfinder

Viewfinder Field of View

100%

98%

Viewfinder Magnification

0.71x

0.72x

Top-Level Screen

Control Panel

Control Panel

LCD Framing

Live View

Live View

Rear LCD Size

3.2inch

3.0inch

LCD Resolution

1620k dots

1040k dots

LCD Attachment

Fixed screen

Swivel screen

Touch Input

Touchscreen

Touchscreen

Shooting Specs

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 6D Mark II

Focus System

Phase-detect AF

Phase-detect AF

Continuous Shooting

7 shutter flaps/s

6.5 shutter flaps/s

Shutter Life Expectancy150 000 actuations100 000 actuationsTime-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in

Fill Flash

no On-Board Flash

no On-Board Flash

Storage Medium

CF or SDXC cards

SDXC cards

Single or Dual Card Slots

Dual card slots

Single card slot

UHS card support

UHS-I

UHS-I

Connectivity Specs

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 6D Mark II

External Flash

Hotshoe

Hotshoe

Studio Flash

PC Sync socket

no PC Sync

USB Connector

USB 3.0

USB 2.0

HDMI Port

mini HDMI

mini HDMI

Microphone Port

External MIC port

External MIC port

Headphone Socket

Headphone port

no Headphone port

Wifi Support

Wifi built-in

Wifi built-in

Near-Field Communication

NFC built-in

NFC built-in

Bluetooth Support

no Bluetooth

Bluetooth built-in

Geotagging

GPS built-in

GPS built-in

Body Specs

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 6D Mark II

Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body

Battery Type

LP-E6N

LP-E6N

Battery Life (CIPA)900 shots per charge1200 shots per charge

Body Dimensions

151 x 116 x 76 mm
(5.9 x 4.6 x 3.0 in)

144 x 111 x 75 mm
(5.7 x 4.4 x 3.0 in)

Camera Weight

890 g (31.4 oz)

765 g (27.0 oz)

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