Canon EOS 6D Review: The Best Camera for Low Light Photography

The Canon EOS 6D is a full-frame DSLR camera with impressive low-light capabilities. In this review, we'll take a closer look at its features and performance, as well as its pros and cons.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS 6D article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 12 2013

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorCMOS
Weight770g
MSRP$1399USD

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Overview of the EOS 6D

Are you a budding photographer looking for a camera that can handle low light situations with ease? Look no further than the Canon EOS 6D. This full-frame DSLR camera boasts a 20.2-megapixel sensor, advanced autofocus system, and impressive ISO range that makes it a standout choice for low light photography. In this article, we'll explore the Canon EOS 6D's features and performance, as well as its advantages and drawbacks, to help you decide if it's the right camera for your needs.

Canon EOS 6D Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS 6D camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Full frame sensor
Excellent low light performance
Built-in GPS
Wi-Fi connectivity
Multiple autofocus points
Impressive image quality
Lightweight body
Great battery life
External microphone jack
Affordable for a full frame camera

Cons

No built-in flash
Limited dynamic range
No 4K video
Only one SD card slot
Slow autofocus in Live View mode
Limited lens selection for the RF mount
No built-in image stabilization
No touchscreen functionality
Limited video frame rates
No headphone jack

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS 6D

Weather sealed
Dimensions145 x 111 x 71mm
Weight770g
Thickness71mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS 6D camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the EOS 6D is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentaprism)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution1,040k dots
Body typeMid-size SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,040k dots. This makes the Canon EOS 6D not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

EOS 6D includes a optical (pentaprism) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 97% and a magnification of 0.71x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS 6D has a 20MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Canon EOS 6D has a native ISO range of 100 - 25600 which can be boosted to 50 - 102400. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Feb 12 2013

Announced

100 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO50 - 102400
Max resolution5472 x 3648 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

82 / 102

Color Depth

23.8 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.1 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

2340 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS 6D camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is below average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the EOS 6D is above average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life1090 shots
Battery ModelLP-E6
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon EOS 6D supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon EOS 6D uses the LP-E6 model of battery pack. This is rated for 1090 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon EOS 6D does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon EOS 6D boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon EOS 6D includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 11 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon EOS 6D?

The Canon EOS 6D features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS 6D weather sealed?

Yes the EOS 6D does have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS 6D announced?

The Canon EOS 6D was announced on Feb 12 2013

Does the Canon EOS 6D have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS 6D does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon EOS 6D?

The EOS 6D has a native ISO range of 100-25600, which can be expanded to ISO 50-102400 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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