Upgrade Guide
Canon EOS 5D Mark II→Canon EOS 6D
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the EOS 5D Mark II. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the EOS 6D
-
Battery life~1090 shots (CIPA) vs ~850 shots (CIPA)
-
Generation4 years newer (2012 vs 2008)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (20MP)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | EOS 5D Mark II | EOS 6D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | ||
| Street | +0.4 | ||
| Travel | +0.4 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.2 | ||
| Documentary | +0.1 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.2 | ||
| Landscape | +0.1 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.2 | ||
| Casual | +0.2 | ||
| Food | +0.1 | ||
| Macro | +0.1 | ||
| Architecture | — | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.1 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | EOS 5D Mark II | EOS 6D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £128 | £156 | |
| Released | 2008 | 2012 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 21.1MP full-frame CMOS | 20.2MP full-frame CMOS | |
| Resolution | 21MP | 20MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30 | Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60 | |
| Autofocus | 9-point phase-detect (+6 assist points) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view | 11-point phase-detect (centre cross-type, EV -3) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face detection in live view | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 3.9fps | 4.5fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~850 shots (CIPA) | ~1090 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 890g (with battery) | 755g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.71x | Optical pentaprism, 97% coverage, 0.71x | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots | |
| Mount | Canon EF | Canon EF | |
| Memory Cards | Single CompactFlash slot | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See EOS 5D Mark II and EOS 6D next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the EOS 6D against your specific genres — not just specs.
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