Canon R6 vs. R6 Mark II: Worth the Upgrade for Wedding Photographers?
Over the years,
I have owned the Canon 40 D, Canon 5D original, and Canon 5D ii, I then was doing some sports photography, so I bought a 2nd hand 6D, Found a great deal on Canon 5D iii, Had a CAnon 6D ii gifted to me by a fellow photographer. wanted to get into mirrorless, so I bought the Canon EOS R, loved the EV, and knew I would change my system around, at this stage, I owned about 9 lenses for the EF system. I had A Canon R6 and a Canon R5 sent to me to try out, I used bought cameras for a few weeks and realized that between the two cameras, the video only in my opinion the Canon R5 was better, For my clients would and could not tell the difference between image quality between both systems, heck I couldn’t tell the difference most of the time. So I kept the Canon R6, sent the Canon R5 back, and bought an adapter to be able to use my EF lenses, within a few weeks I realized that the adapter was a hair behind when auto-focusing, it was not quick enough, I borrowed an RF lens and saw I did not have this issue with the RF lens, So I started to change to my entire system and lenses over completely to the RF system. I do not get hung up on the technical side of cameras. However, the mirrorless system makes it easier for a photographer.
Canon R6 vs. R6 Mark II: Should You Upgrade as a Wedding Photographer?
When the time came to invest in a new camera for my wedding photography, I had to decide between getting another Canon R6 or upgrading to the Canon R6 Mark II. Truth be told, I only went with the R6 II because of a promotion that made the price difference practically disappear. The camera shop was running a sale that knocked the price down so much, it felt like Canon was pushing everyone to upgrade. With the R6 II on offer for just a little more than the original R6, it became a no-brainer.
But is it really worth upgrading if you're a wedding photographer in Kerry or Cork? Let’s dive into the real-world differences between the two cameras and whether you should take the plunge.
Key Differences Between the Canon R6 and R6 Mark II
Having shot multiple weddings across Cork and Kerry with both cameras, I’ve had a chance to put their key features to the test. While they look similar at first glance, there are some important differences.
Sensor: The Canon R6 has a 20.1MP sensor, while the R6 II bumps that up to 24.2MP. What does that mean for you? It gives a little more detail in your photos, which can be useful if you’re cropping in or delivering large prints. That said, for most wedding photography needs—especially those in albums or online galleries—the difference is subtle.
Continuous Shooting: One of the big improvements in the R6 II is its ability to shoot 40 frames per second (fps) with the electronic shutter, compared to the R6’s 20 fps. This feature shines during fast-moving moments, like capturing the bouquet toss or that whirlwind dance floor action. Twice as many shots per second means you have a better chance of catching that perfect moment.
Autofocus: Both cameras feature Canon’s Dual Pixel autofocus system, but the R6 II comes with improved subject detection, powered by AI. It can better lock onto faces, eyes, and moving subjects, which makes a huge difference in low light or when the bride and groom are moving fast. I found it to be especially helpful during fast-paced wedding receptions where everyone’s dancing.
Storage Requirements: Here’s something that’s often overlooked—file size. Because the R6 II has a higher-resolution sensor, the file sizes are larger, especially when shooting in RAW. I found myself going through memory cards much faster with the R6 II, so be prepared to invest in larger, faster SD cards. If you’re shooting a full wedding day, you’ll need extra storage space compared to the R6.
Is It Worth the Upgrade for Wedding Photographers?
The Canon R6 is already a fantastic camera for wedding photographers, so upgrading to the R6 II comes down to whether the extra features justify the cost. For me, the promotion I found made the upgrade a no-brainer, but that may not always be the case.
Megapixel Difference: For most clients, the difference between 20MP and 24MP is barely noticeable. If you’re delivering high-quality albums or online galleries, either camera will do the job. You might only appreciate the difference if you need to crop heavily or create large-format prints.
Autofocus and FPS: The improvements in autofocus and continuous shooting are where the R6 II really pulls ahead. If you often shoot fast-moving scenes—like confetti shots, couples running down the aisle, or lively dance floor moments—the R6 II gives you a better chance of nailing those moments.
Storage Needs: Keep in mind the cost of extra storage. With larger file sizes on the R6 II, you’ll need more memory cards and extra hard drive space. Over time, that adds up, so budget accordingly if you’re planning to upgrade.
Did Canon Push the Envelope Far Enough?
If I’m being honest, while the R6 II is a clear improvement, I expected Canon to push things a little further. Yes, the increased fps and autofocus enhancements are great, but the rest of the upgrades feel more incremental than groundbreaking. Don’t get me wrong, the R6 II is a top-tier camera, but it’s not the revolutionary leap forward that some might have hoped for.
Comparing the Canon R6 II to the Sony A7 IV
Now, let’s bring another contender into the mix—the Sony A7 IV. Priced around €3,000, the A7 IV is a strong rival to the R6 II.
Sensor: The Sony A7 IV features a 33MP sensor, offering even more detail than the R6 II. This is ideal if you’re printing large images or doing a lot of cropping. However, for standard wedding photography work, you might not notice a massive difference in the final product.
Autofocus: Both the A7 IV and the R6 II have excellent autofocus systems. Sony’s is well-known for its speed and accuracy, and in real-world usage, it performs just as well as Canon’s. So it’s a tie here.
Continuous Shooting: The R6 II’s 40 fps blows the A7 IV’s 10 fps out of the water. If you’re frequently shooting action-packed moments at weddings, the Canon has the edge.
Video: The A7 IV has the upper hand when it comes to video. It offers 4K 60fps recording with no crop and excellent color depth. While the R6 II is no slouch, Sony tends to lead the way for hybrid shooters who do both video and photography.
Final Thoughts: Should You Upgrade to the Canon R6 II?
After using both cameras extensively for wedding shoots in Cork and Kerry, my honest recommendation depends on what you value most as a photographer. If you’re currently using the R6 and don’t often shoot fast action, the R6 may be enough for you. The improvements in the R6 II, while nice, are not game-changing unless you need faster burst shooting or the extra megapixels.
For wedding photographers who shoot a lot of action shots or need the best possible autofocus, the R6 II offers real benefits. And if, like me, you come across a good promotion, the small price difference makes the upgrade tempting.
That said, if you’re happy with your R6 and don’t feel the need for faster continuous shooting, sticking with what you have is perfectly fine. At the end of the day, both cameras are exceptional, and your clients will be thrilled with the results either way.