Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Canon EOS 6D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon EOS 6D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II were released 2008 and Canon EOS 6D was released 2012. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 2008
Canon EOS 6D 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 6D 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a 21,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 6D has 20,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21,1 MP
21026304 pixels
5616 x 3744
Canon EOS 6D 20,2 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a 5 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 6D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 5D Mark II has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 6D. Canon EOS 5D Mark II has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 25600 while Canon EOS 6D has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50-25600
Canon EOS 6D 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 6D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D Mark II can shoot up to 3,9 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 6D can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 3,9
Canon EOS 6D 4,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon EOS 6D can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II weighs 850 gr (equal to 1.87 lb) which is 10% heavier than Canon EOS 6D and its 770 gr (or 1.7 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 850 gr
1.87 lb
Canon EOS 6D 770 gr
1.7 lb

Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs Canon EOS 6D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon EOS 6D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
Name Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 6D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
Release Year 2008 2012
Release Date 2008-09-17 2012-09-17
MSRP 2699 USD 2099 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5616 x 3744 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
Megapixels 21,1 MP 20,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 DIGIC 5+
Image
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
ISO Range 50 - 25600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 11
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT liquid-crystal color LCD Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 98% 97%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
Frames per second 3,9 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Optional
Yes
Built-in
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
GPS No Yes
Built-in, Image tagging and tracking modes
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 850 shots 1090 shots
Width 152 mm 145 mm
Height 114 mm 111 mm
Depth 75 mm 71 mm
Weight 850 gram 770 gram