Canon EOS 1D X Mark II vs Canon EOS 6D Mark II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 20.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
73
WINNER
|
Canon · DSLR · 26.2 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Canon EOS 6D Mark II
71
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1D X Mark II and the Canon EOS 6D Mark II are both Canon DSLRs, but they differ sharply in size and weight. The 1D X Mark II, released in 2016, measures 158 x 168 x 83 mm and weighs 1530 g. The 6D Mark II, from 2017, is the compact alternative at 144 x 111 x 75 mm and 453 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 2, 2016 | June 29, 2017 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 168 x 83 mm | 144 x 111 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 1530 g | 453 g |
| Optics | 72/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 6D Mark II gives you more resolution for cropping and large prints, with 26.2 megapixels against 20.2 on the 1D X Mark II. For fast action the advantage swings to the 1D X Mark II: it shoots at 16 frames per second versus 6.5, which helps capture a peak moment in sports or wildlife. A difference in exposure limits favours the 1D X Mark II in bright light: its shortest exposure is 1/8000 second against 1/4000, keeping wide apertures usable in strong sunlight. It also offers 61 autofocus points against 45. The sensors match in format and type, with both full-frame CMOS, and both bodies take Canon EF lenses. Neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.2 MP050 | 26.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 6240 x 4160 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 24 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
16 fps045 | 6.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF | Canon EF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Dual Digic 6+ | Digic 7 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 400003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
4096003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
610300 | 450300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 69/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe 1D X Mark II is the clear choice for 4K work: its maximum video resolution is 4K, while the 6D Mark II tops out at Full HD. Anyone mixing 4K footage into a modern edit needs the 1D X Mark II. One shooting convenience favours the 6D Mark II: it offers a built-in interval timer for timelapse, which the 1D X Mark II lacks. Both record in MOV and MP4, and both reach a 60 fps maximum video frame rate. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
4096 x 2160 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MP4 | MP4, MOV |
| Features | 74/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 6D Mark II is better connected for wireless transfer, offering Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while the 1D X Mark II has neither. Its vari-angle screen also lets you frame shots at ground level or overhead, something the fixed screen on the 1D X Mark II cannot do. The 1D X Mark II counters with a larger, more detailed rear LCD: 3.2 inches with 1,620,000 dots against 3 inches and 1,040,000 dots. Both bodies offer weather sealing, GPS for geotagging images, and a touch screen. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
16200001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 79/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard handling matters more here than battery ratings. The 1D X Mark II accepts Compact Flash and CFast 2.0 cards and has two card slots, giving a second card during a long assignment. The 6D Mark II has a single SD slot, compatible with SDHC and SDXC cards over UHS-I. Battery ratings are close, at 1210 shots for the 1D X Mark II against 1200 for the 6D Mark II. Each uses its own battery pack, the LP-E19 and the LP-E6N, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash, CFast 2.0 | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | No |
| Battery type | LP-E19 | LP-E6N |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1210 shots1505000 | 1200 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the 1D X Mark II if your work is built around speed: for football, birds in flight or news events, its 16 fps burst, 61 autofocus points and 1/8000 second shutter are decisive. Its 4K video recording covers hybrid shooting, and two card slots give a spare card on assignments you cannot reshoot.
Choose the 6D Mark II for travel, landscape and everyday photography. Its 26.2 megapixels give more room to crop distant subjects, and the lighter body favours travel and hiking. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the vari-angle screen support quick sharing and overhead or ground-level framing.