The catch
Canon EOS R6 Mark II body
It has no 7K 3:2 source and no internal 4K120. RAW pre-shooting yields a roll that must be extracted.
Side by side
Canon EOS R6 Mark II vs Mark III: Mark III lets one take be reframed, Mark II holds a two-SD setup
Quick verdict
The Mark III lets you reframe a single take, and the Mark II keeps a two-SD setup. Take the Mark III if you will really use a tall 7K 3:2 source, internal RAW or 4K120. Take the Mark II if full-width 4K60 and compatible two-SD duplication cover the job. Both links are body-only. The Mark III needs the LP-E6P for full functions, and its RAW or high-frame-rate movies cannot be copied identically across cards internally. The 3:2 mode tops out at about 30fps.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
One performance can turn into two edits without as much pressure on cropping
From the Mark III’s 6912×4608 3:2 MP4 source you can get a 2592×4608 portrait crop before other adjustments. The Mark II’s 3840×2160 landscape source gives about 1215×2160 at the same 9:16 shape. In principle both can support a 1080×1920 portrait export. The Mark III leaves more room to reposition a singer, child or speaker and still keep a wide version for a television. You still have to frame for both outputs and edit the result, and a subject outside the recorded picture cannot be recovered. This benefit comes with the up-to-30p 3:2 mode and not with the separate 4K120 setting.
Where this comes from
4608×9/16=2592 and 2160×9/16=1215. This is source geometry before stabilization or rotation and not a measured sharpness comparison. It applies to ordinary-speed modes only.
The catch
Canon EOS R6 Mark III body
LP-E6P is required for full functions, while older batteries and the BG-R10 restrict them. One Type B slot and one SD slot take the place of the two-SD setup.
Canon EOS R6 Mark II body
- Why pick it
- Full-width 4K60 plus photo copies, or compatible movie copies, configured across two SD cards cover the job.
- Your current LP-E6NH-based setup is worth keeping, and 7K 3:2 recording and internal RAW are not things you need.
- The catch
- It has no 7K 3:2 source and no internal 4K120. RAW pre-shooting yields a roll that must be extracted.
Canon EOS R6 Mark III body
- Why pick it
- A single event calls for horizontal and portrait edits, and a 7K 3:2 source at up to 29.97p makes the editing worth it.
- Internal RAW or 4K120 lifts a real limitation, and you have budgeted for the correct card, the LP-E6P battery and a backup plan.
- The catch
- LP-E6P is required for full functions, while older batteries and the BG-R10 restrict them. One Type B slot and one SD slot take the place of the two-SD setup.
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What this page compares
R6 Mark II vs Mark III for family events and hybrid work. Look at portrait crops from one take, the limits on older batteries, mixed cards and movie backup.
Canon owners who can keep compatible lenses face a straightforward upgrade decision here. The new recording options change the whole setup, from batteries, grips and cards to the edit after the event.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Cut a wide edit and a portrait edit from one up-to-30p take
Mark III offers a taller high-resolution 3:2 source.
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II body
- Good
- Canon EOS R6 Mark III body
- Better fit
Reuse the pair of suitable SD cards you own
Mark III has only one SD slot.
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II body
- Better fit
- Canon EOS R6 Mark III body
- Caution
Keep LP-E6NH spares without the newer body’s restrictions
Mark III needs LP-E6P for full functions.
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II body
- Better fit
- Canon EOS R6 Mark III body
- Caution
Record internal 4K120
The Mark III brings the mode, though with media and backup limits.
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II body
- Not suitable
- Canon EOS R6 Mark III body
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
One performance can turn into two edits without as much pressure on cropping
From the Mark III’s 6912×4608 3:2 MP4 source you can get a 2592×4608 portrait crop before other adjustments. The Mark II’s 3840×2160 landscape source gives about 1215×2160 at the same 9:16 shape. In principle both can support a 1080×1920 portrait export. The Mark III leaves more room to reposition a singer, child or speaker and still keep a wide version for a television. You still have to frame for both outputs and edit the result, and a subject outside the recorded picture cannot be recovered. This benefit comes with the up-to-30p 3:2 mode and not with the separate 4K120 setting.
How we worked this out
4608×9/16=2592 and 2160×9/16=1215. This is source geometry before stabilization or rotation and not a measured sharpness comparison. It applies to ordinary-speed modes only.
A spare battery can interrupt your sharing routine midway through an outing
If you own a Mark II, you may be carrying charged LP-E6NH batteries and expect them to act the same in the Mark III. Canon permits those batteries but restricts functions, among them Wi-Fi, burst speed and usable capacity. When you photograph an event and send selected pictures to relatives before heading home, swapping in an old spare can take away the wireless step you rely on. An old BG-R10 grip carries restrictions too. Set aside enough LP-E6P power for the job before you call the upgrade body-only. The Mark II is still a reasonable choice when your current battery setup works and you would rarely use the new recording modes.
How we worked this out
Canon’s battery compatibility table explicitly separates the full-function LP-E6P from the restricted LP-E6NH/N and BG-R10. The sharing consequence assumes a Wi-Fi workflow and makes no claim about every transfer method.
The most impressive recording mode may be the one with no identical safety copy
At an important event, two slots can look like simple insurance. The Mark III complicates that, because RAW and high-frame-rate movies cannot record identical copies to both cards. A RAW main file with a 4K sub file is a different arrangement and not a second RAW original. The Mark II can duplicate compatible movies across two SD cards, whereas the Mark III uses one Type B card and one SD. If your usual job is ordinary 4K with immediate card redundancy, the older setup may already cover it. Pick the Mark III for a specific recording benefit, and plan protection for that exact mode.
How we worked this out
Both card-role manuals along with the Mark III recording-format footnotes. RAW/sub is kept distinct from identical duplication. It does not claim that every ordinary mode supports redundancy without a check of the settings.
Option A
Canon, 5666C002
Canon EOS R6 Mark II body
Full-width 4K60 plus photo copies, or compatible movie copies, configured across two SD cards cover the job.
- Best for
- Full-width 4K60 plus photo copies, or compatible movie copies, configured across two SD cards cover the job.
Facts we checked
- One take for two orientations: Internal 4K 16:9 source
- Media already in the bag: Two UHS-II SD slots
- Older Canon batteries: LP-E6NH is the specified battery
- Internal high-speed movie: 4K up to 60p
Option B
Canon, 7084C002
Canon EOS R6 Mark III body
A single event calls for horizontal and portrait edits, and a 7K 3:2 source at up to 29.97p makes the editing worth it.
- Best for
- A single event calls for horizontal and portrait edits, and a 7K 3:2 source at up to 29.97p makes the editing worth it.
Facts we checked
- One take for two orientations: 7K 3:2 MP4 at 6912×4608, up to 29.97p
- Media already in the bag: One CFexpress Type B plus one SD
- Older Canon batteries: LP-E6P for full functions, NH/N restricted
- Internal high-speed movie: 4K up to 120p
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Canon EOS R6 Mark II body | Canon EOS R6 Mark III body | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| One take for two orientations | Internal 4K 16:9 source | 7K 3:2 MP4 at 6912×4608, up to 29.97p | For a portrait edit, the Mark III keeps more vertical source pixels. |
| Media already in the bag | Two UHS-II SD slots | One CFexpress Type B plus one SD | An SD pair you already own cannot go into both slots of the newer body. |
| Older Canon batteries | LP-E6NH is the specified battery | LP-E6P for full functions, NH/N restricted | A battery that physically fits may switch off the function you meant to use. |
| Internal high-speed movie | 4K up to 60p | 4K up to 120p | That faster mode brings card and backup restrictions with it. |
| Duplicate movie recording | Supported with compatible settings and matching card formats | Supported modes only, no identical RAW or high-frame-rate copies | Extra recording formats do not come with backup in each one. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Canon EOS R6 Mark II body
- Your familiar setup can stay enough. If you want an external recording upgrade, it needs its own compatibility and cost check.
With Canon EOS R6 Mark III body
- Editing is still needed for a tall source. RAW and high-frame-rate recording do not give identical dual-card movie backup.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Ordinary 4K and the two-SD setup you have now do the job
Go with Canon EOS R6 Mark II body. Mark II keeps useful supporting equipment in use.
A taller source or high-speed mode makes a difference to the finished work
Go with Canon EOS R6 Mark III body. The Mark III adds meaningful outputs once the whole workflow is budgeted for.
Decision guide
Before you buy
You want one camera that covers more jobs, without finding out that your trusted spare battery or second card has stopped doing what you expect.
What this page can’t tell you
- Pixel geometry does not amount to a measured image-quality result.
- Nothing here promises unlimited runtime or two-card backup in every mode.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the mirrorless cameras we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R6 Mark II body |
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| Canon EOS R6 Mark III body |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Canon EOS R6 Mark II body
Full-width 4K60 plus photo copies, or compatible movie copies, configured across two SD cards cover the job.
Your current LP-E6NH-based setup is worth keeping, and 7K 3:2 recording and internal RAW are not things you need.
See price & reviews on AmazonCanon EOS R6 Mark III body
A single event calls for horizontal and portrait edits, and a 7K 3:2 source at up to 29.97p makes the editing worth it.
Internal RAW or 4K120 lifts a real limitation, and you have budgeted for the correct card, the LP-E6P battery and a backup plan.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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