Written by James O’Driscoll, Wedding Photographer in Cork & Kerry
When you spend your life photographing weddings, your gear becomes more than just a tool — it’s an extension of how you see the world. Over the years I’ve had my fair share of Canon cameras hanging around my neck. My first serious digital body was the Canon 40D, followed by the original Canon 5D and later the 5D Mark II.
Each step forward felt like a leap at the time. The 5D II was a revelation for its low light performance — suddenly, dim Irish churches and candlelit receptions weren’t impossible to shoot. Then came a stint in sports photography, where I picked up a second-hand Canon 6D, and later found myself drawn back into weddings, eventually adding a Canon 5D Mark III.
By then, I had a decent collection of EF lenses, and like many photographers, I was comfortable with the system. But when Canon released the EOS R, I couldn’t resist testing the waters of mirrorless. That first experience with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) was enough to convince me: the future wasn’t DSLR.
So I made the jump. Borrowed a Canon R6 and a Canon R5, tested them side by side, and realised something important: for weddings, the R6 was more than enough. My couples couldn’t tell the difference in image quality, and truthfully, neither could I most of the time. The R5 had its video perks, but photography is where my heart is, and the R6 hit the sweet spot.
I sent the R5 back, kept the R6, and started moving my entire kit toward the RF lens system. Once I tried my first native RF lens, the difference in autofocus speed and accuracy was clear. The EF-RF adapter worked, but it wasn’t perfect for fast-moving wedding moments. The writing was on the wall — I needed to switch.
That brings us to the present day, and the big question every Canon wedding photographer is asking: do you stick with the Canon R6, or upgrade to the Canon R6 Mark II?
You could argue that a good photographer can create magic with any camera. And you’d be right. But here’s the thing — weddings are unpredictable. You’ve got:
dimly lit churches with no flash allowed
wild Irish weather changing every 10 minutes
fast-paced receptions where the action doesn’t stop
emotional moments that only happen once
In those situations, the camera is more than just a tool — it’s your safety net. The right autofocus can mean the difference between nailing the first kiss or missing it. The right burst speed can make or break that confetti shot. And reliable low-light performance is essential when you’re shooting speeches in a cosy pub in Kerry or the first dance under fairy lights in Cork.
That’s why gear talk matters for wedding photographers. It’s not about the specs on paper — it’s about how those specs hold up in the real world of 12-hour wedding days.
When the Canon R6 launched in 2020, it quickly became one of the most loved cameras for wedding photography. I can say from personal experience that it still holds its ground today.
20.1MP sensor: Sounds modest compared to some competitors, but plenty for albums, wall prints, and online galleries. Honestly, your clients don’t care about megapixels — they care about moments.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF II: Autofocus is snappy and reliable, even in near darkness. Think candlelit churches or speeches in a dimly lit ballroom.
20fps electronic shutter: Perfect for catching fleeting moments like confetti tosses or kids running down the aisle.
In-body stabilisation (IBIS): Up to 8 stops of shake reduction when paired with the right RF lenses. This means handheld shots in low light are not only possible but sharp.
Ergonomics: If you’ve shot Canon DSLRs, the R6 feels like home. The grip, dials, and menus are familiar and practical.
At MJ & Lucca’s Galway elopement, the R6 handled brutal Atlantic winds without missing focus. The veil was flying in every direction, but the autofocus locked on to their faces like glue.
At Kieran & Eva’s wedding at Actons Hotel in Kinsale, I shot everything from prep in a dim hotel room to a raucous dance floor. The R6 never once left me wishing for more.
In short: the Canon R6 is still a phenomenal choice for Irish wedding photographers.
Fast forward to 2022, and Canon dropped the R6 Mark II. At first glance, the two cameras look almost identical. But under the hood, Canon added some key upgrades that made many of us curious.
24.2MP sensor: Slight bump in resolution, helpful for cropping.
40fps electronic shutter: Double the R6’s burst speed. For fast action, that’s massive.
Upgraded autofocus: AI-powered subject recognition, with better tracking for people and animals.
Improved video features: 6K ProRes RAW external recording, oversampled 4K, longer record limits.
Battery efficiency: Rated for ~450 shots per charge compared to the R6’s ~360.
Canon also priced the R6 II the same as the original R6 at launch. And in my case, I found a promotion that made it cheaper to buy the R6 II than to pick up a second R6 body. Hard to argue with that.
| Year | Model | Launch Price (USD) | Price Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Canon 6D | $2,099 | |
| 2015 | Canon 5DS R | $3,899 | |
| 2017 | Canon 6D Mark II | $1,999 | |
| 2018 | Canon EOS R | $2,299 | |
| 2020 | Canon R6 | $2,499 | |
| 2022 | Canon R6 Mark II | $2,499 |
I’m not here to geek out over lab tests. What matters is this: does the R6 II actually improve my wedding work?
Here’s what I’ve noticed shooting in Cork, Kerry, and beyond:
Autofocus confidence: The R6 II recognises and locks onto faces faster in chaos — think confetti lines with dozens of people. On the dance floor, it grabs eyes in near darkness better than the R6.
Burst speed magic: At a recent wedding in Mallow, the bouquet toss happened in an instant. Shooting at 40fps meant I captured every stage of the throw, catch, and reaction. With the R6’s 20fps, I might have missed the exact moment.
Cropping flexibility: Delivering albums means sometimes reframing shots. The extra megapixels in the R6 II give me a little more room to crop without losing quality. Not game-changing, but nice.
Battery life: I can usually get through bridal prep + ceremony on a single battery now, which wasn’t always the case with the R6.
Here’s the kicker: my couples don’t see the difference. They’re not pixel-peeping or comparing AF hit rates. What they notice is emotion, timing, and storytelling.
So why bother upgrading? For me, it’s about peace of mind. Knowing my camera will lock on faster, shoot longer, and give me every chance to capture fleeting moments. That security allows me to focus more on creativity and less on gear anxiety.
You can read spec sheets and camera reviews all day long, but the real test of a camera comes when you bring it into the chaos of a wedding. That’s where the Canon R6 truly proves itself. Before I upgraded to the R6 Mark II, I shot dozens of Cork and Kerry weddings with the original R6 — in castles, barns, hotels, and stormy cliffsides.
The Atlantic winds are unforgiving, and MJ’s veil nearly flew off into the ocean more than once. This is where the autofocus tracking on the R6 saved the day. Even as the veil whipped around, the R6 locked on to their faces. I didn’t lose focus once, and that allowed me to keep shooting natural, candid moments without fiddling with settings.
See more about my approach to Irish elopement photography
From bridal prep in the soft morning light to the dance floor mayhem at night, the R6 kept up. What I loved most was how the in-body stabilisation (IBIS) allowed me to shoot handheld during the speeches, no flash, and still deliver tack-sharp images. Couples always want to see those intimate moments — the smiles, the tears, the reactions — and the R6 gave me the confidence to capture them without compromise.
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For David & Fiona’s summer wedding, the R6 handled everything from golden-hour portraits by the sea to high-energy dance floor shots. Shooting at 20fps burst speed gave me multiple options for every key moment, like the confetti toss and first kiss. When they saw their album, they were blown away by how every second was captured.
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Don’t just take my word for it — here’s what couples say about my work:
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I’ve carried the Canon R6 into every kind of Irish venue you can imagine:
Each setting brings its own challenges — low light, bad weather, fast-moving receptions — and the R6 has always held its own. That’s why, even with the R6 Mark II on my desk now, I still look back at my R6 weddings with pride.
I’m James O’Driscoll, a full-time wedding photographer based in Macroom, County Cork. I’ve spent years shooting weddings across Cork, Kerry, and all of Ireland. My approach is simple: natural storytelling, no gimmicks, and photographs that feel alive. You can learn more about me here.
One thing couples always ask me is how I price my packages. My philosophy is simple: clear, fair, and honest pricing. You know exactly what you’re getting, with no hidden extras. Every couple deserves the best photos without worrying about surprise costs. You can read more about my wedding photography packages and fair pricing.
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.
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.
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.
Lens Compatibility and Benefits of the RF Mount System for Wedding Photography
The Canon RF mount system offers significant advantages for wedding photographers, providing enhanced performance and versatility compared to the older EF mount system.
Improved Communication: The RF mount features 12 communication pins, compared to 8 on the EF mount, allowing for faster and more precise data exchange between the camera and lens.
Shorter Flange Distance: With no mirror mechanism, the RF mount has a much shorter back focus, enabling the design of more compact and optically superior lenses.
Enhanced Autofocus: The RF system’s improved communication leads to faster and more accurate autofocus, crucial for capturing fleeting wedding moments.
Better Image Stabilization: When paired with IBIS-equipped bodies like the EOS R5 and R6, RF lenses can achieve up to 8 stops of stabilization, allowing for sharp handheld shots in challenging conditions.
Wider Apertures: The RF mount’s design allows for the creation of uniquely fast lenses, such as the RF 28-70mm F2L USM, offering superior low-light performance
You’ve read my thoughts on the Canon R6 and R6 Mark II, and how both cameras perform in real Irish weddings. But if you’re here because you’re planning your own wedding, this is where the journey really begins. My job isn’t just testing cameras — it’s telling your story, whether that’s in Cork, Kerry, or anywhere across Ireland.
Choosing a wedding photographer isn’t just about style; it’s also about trust. I believe in fair pricing — clear, transparent, and with no hidden extras. You’ll know exactly what’s included before you book. That means no nasty surprises, no add-on charges, just beautiful photography you can rely on.
Explore my wedding photography packages & fair pricing here
Every couple is different, every wedding is unique, and that’s why my portfolio is a mix of real weddings across Cork, Kerry, Galway, and beyond. From elopements at Gougane Barra to grand celebrations in Kinsale, you’ll see how I capture the energy, laughter, and emotion of each day.
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Over the years, I’ve put together guides and resources to help couples find the perfect venue. These pages are packed with tips, photos, and honest insights into some of Ireland’s best wedding locations.
Nothing shows my approach better than the stories of couples I’ve photographed. Here are a few highlights:
I’ve been lucky enough to receive kind words from the couples I’ve worked with. Their reviews mean the world to me and give future brides and grooms the confidence that they’re in safe hands.
Read more reviews on my Google profile
I’m James O’Driscoll, a full-time wedding photographer based in Macroom, County Cork. I cover weddings across Cork, Kerry, Munster, and destination weddings abroad. My style is natural, unobtrusive, and focused on capturing the real moments that make your wedding day unforgettable. If you’d like to know more about me, my background, and my approach:
Read more about JOD Photography here
Ready to chat about your wedding photography? Whether you’re still early in the planning stages or ready to book, I’d love to hear from you. I’ll check your date availability and talk you through the options that best fit your day.
At the end of the day, whether I’m reviewing cameras like the Canon R6 or standing in the middle of a dance floor in Kerry, my goal is always the same: to create photographs that mean something to you. Pictures that bring you back to the moment, years from now, with the same smile, the same tears, the same joy. That’s what it’s all about.
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.