The EOS 6D (Photo 1), with a body light and compact enough to be carried comfortably anywhere while packing a powerful full-frame sensor, is the first EOS model loaded with an array of new attractive functions, such as GPS for more fun carrying the camera around and Wi-Fi for photo sharing and remote photography. The new model was developed specifically for users looking to move upmarket from the entry-level or mid-range EOS cameras.

• Same stunning image quality of our high-end models

• 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor with approximately 20.20 megapixels
• DIGIC 5+ imaging processor
• Full-time ISO range of 100 to 25600 (L: 50, H1: 51200, H2: 102400)

• Enhanced basic camera functions

• Light, compact body
• New 11-point AF system
• Maximum continuous shooting speed of approximately 4.5 fps
• 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor

• Advanced imaging functions

• Multiple exposure shooting
• High dynamic range (HDR) mode
• In-camera RAW image processing
• Professional full HD movie recording

• Attractive functions only available from a digital

• Built-in GPS functionality
• Built-in Wi-Fi functionality

The sections below give a complete picture of the EOS 6D, focusing on the EOS 6D's new original functions and functions it shares with the EOS 5D Mark III.

1. 20.20-megapixel, 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor

The EOS 6D is equipped with a high-sensitivity CMOS sensor (Photo 2) that has an effective sensor size of approximately 23.9 x 35.8 millimeters and boasts approximately 20.20 effective megapixels. Along with the bigger pixel count, this sensor has been refined to capture better quality images by lowering noise, extending the ISO range, and broadening the dynamic range.

2. New DIGIC 5+ imaging processor provides faster, higher quality image processing

The new DIGIC 5+ imaging processor enables low-noise, high-speed image processing as well as multiple exposure shooting, HDR shooting, and other digital functions.

3. Wide 100 - 25600 ISO range expands shooting opportunities

Taking advantage of the latest technology behind the CMOS sensor architecture and the low-noise processing of the DIGIC 5+, we achieved a full-time ISO range of 100 - 25600, which is the same as the EOS 5D Mark III's full-time ISO range.

1. Light, compact body

We shrunk the dimensions and shaved weight from the CMOS sensor unit, the shutter unit, and the drive unit in order to attain the same lightweight, compact body (Figure 1) as the full-frame EOS 60D.

2. New 11-point AF system

The newly developed 11-point AF sensor (Photo 3) delivers high-precision range-finding, and the center AF point, which is cross-point sensitive, in particular can focus in low light down to EV -3, which is the best EOS low-light AF performance ever. And a custom function allows the user to fine tune the AI Servo AF characteristics.

3. Maximum continuous shooting speed of approximately 4.5 fps

Compared with the EOS 5D Mark II's continuous shooting speed of approximately 3.9 fps, the 6D can shoot at approximately 4.5 fps in AI Servo AF mode (Figure 2).

The camera comes with Silent single shooting / Silent continuous shooting modes that quiet the mirror up/down movement and shutter charge by driving them at a slower speed.

4. 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor

The 63-zone metering sensor has been designed specifically to match the 11-point AF so that evaluative metering covers all AF points. Partial metering covers approximately 8 percent of the viewfinder area, and spot metering covers approximately 3.5 percent. Exposure compensation can be adjusted over a range of ±5 stops.

The metering sensor has a color measuring function to minimize exposure errors and focusing errors caused by different types of light sources.

5. Electronic level

Both the LCD monitor and the viewfinder can display an electronic level (Figure 3) that indicates the amount of tilt in one-degree increments.

1. Multiple exposure shooting

The user, with a single setting, can compose a multiple-exposure image consisting of two to nine exposures. In RAW + JPEG mode, the camera will create both a RAW and a JPEG multiple-exposure image. There are two modes to choose from that govern how the multiple exposures are combined: Additive and Average. The (Comparative) Bright and (Comparative) Dark multiple exposure modes on the EOS 5D Mark III are not available on the 6D.

2. High dynamic range (HDR) mode

The HDR mode is a function that shoots three rapid exposures — one underexposed, one at normal exposure, and one overexposed — and combines them to produce a single image with a broad dynamic range. Note that the EOS 6D's HDR mode does not have Art vivid or other special image processes that are available on the EOS 5D Mark III.

3. In-camera RAW image processing

The EOS 6D can internally process its own RAW images. The camera applies the following processes to the RAW image and saves the result as a JPEG image (Figure 4): brightness adjustment → white balance → Picture Style → Auto Lighting Optimizer → noise reduction at high ISO speeds → JPEG image recording quality → color space → lens peripheral illumination correction → distortion correction → chromatic aberration correction.

4. Lens optical correction

The EOS 6D can apply both peripheral illumination and chromatic aberration correction to correct for lens optics while shooting.

5. Picture Style Auto

Picture Style Auto finely controls color settings to produce more impressive colors in natural or outdoor scenes and sunset scenes using information from the EOS Scene Detection System.

6. Professional full HD movie recording

Users can select either ALL-I compression, which is ideal for movie editing, or IPB, which is more suitable for longer recordings, for the movie recording size. There are also various time code options which are essential for professional video editing.

1. Clear View LCD

The EOS 6D features a 3.0-type high-resolution LCD monitor with approximately 1.04 million dots. The monitor's fluorine anti-smudging coating and three anti-reflection coatings make it easy to wipe off any smudges or dust and display clear LCD images with little reflection even when viewing outdoors.

2. Image magnification function

The 6D has a dedicated Magnify / Reduce button, which can be used in combination with the Main Dial to quickly magnify or reduce the displayed image. The user can also set the initial magnification ratio used during image playback.

3. Quick Control settings during image playback

The Quick Set button can be used during image playback to perform various operations while confirming the image. (The Quick Set button operations are protect image, rotate image, set ratings, RAW image processing, resize, highlight alert, AF point display, image jump (in combination with the Main Dial), and Wi-Fi settings.)

1. Design concept

With a design concept of "simplicity," the goal was to design a form that (a) had a simple shape, (b) was light and agile, and (c) had a strong, solid feel. The external coating features a long-lasting satin-like finish.

2. Comfortable operation and luxurious control feel

3. Flexible customization

Custom shooting modes, Custom Controls, and other features allow the user to fully customize the 6D to suit any kind of shooting style.

The EOS 6D passed 100,000 cycles in shutter durability tests. Dust and drip proofing protection around control buttons and along outer cover seams has been upgraded from the EOS 5D Mark II and is equivalent to the protection on the EOS 5D Mark III.

Users can append shooting location information to images and log the route they have travelled using the camera's GPS functionality. This information can be displayed on a computer map to show shooting locations and routes traveled and to quickly match vacation or hiking photos with where they were taken.

1. Tagging images with location information

Enabling GPS from the camera's menu starts receiving GPS information from the GPS satellite system. When an image is taken while information can be read from a GPS satellite, the latitude, longitude, elevation, and Universal Time Code will be appended to the image file (Figure 5).

Note: The Universal Time Code is nearly the same as Greenwich mean time.

2. Logger function

This function records the camera's location while moving. The traveled route can be displayed on a computer map. And if the user carried another Canon camera at the time, location information can be added to that camera's photos with a computer.

3. Auto time setting

The camera's internal clock can be set automatically to the time received from the GPS system.

4. Displaying maps on a computer

Map Utility can be used to display routes, shooting locations, and photos on a computer map (Figure 6). Map Utility works in conjunction with Google Maps™ to display maps of anywhere in the world.

The built-in Wi-Fi functionality on the EOS 6D enables wireless image transfers and remote camera operation over Wi-Fi networks with 6D-compatible Wi-Fi devices.

1. Image transfers between cameras

Images can be sent and received between Canon cameras with built-in wireless LAN released in 2012 or later.

2. Smartphone connectivity

Users can view images on the camera and control the camera from a smartphone by installing the EOS Remote app on the smartphone.

3. Image printing on a Wi-Fi-capable printer

The camera can connect to and print images on a printer that supports PictBridge (DPS over IP), a wireless LAN standard.

4. Remote control with EOS Utility

Normally EOS Utility is used while the camera and computer are connected by an interface cable, but EOS Utility can now be used over a wireless LAN connection instead of an interface cable.
Note that remote control does not work with movie shooting.

5. Image viewing on a media player

Images on the memory card loaded in the camera can be played back on a TV via a wireless LAN connection by using a DLNA-certified media player.