Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 6D Mark II

Cameras
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Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 6D Mark II

35mm 864.0mm²
30.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark IV Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 5D Mark IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark IV.
Compare Canon 5D Mark IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark IV conclusion.

35mm 861.6mm²
26.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 40,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D Mark II.
Compare Canon 6D Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D Mark II conclusion.

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Canon 6D Mark II

Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
5D Mark IV test data on DxO Mark 6D Mark II test data on DxO Mark

13.6 vs 11.9 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Higher-res screen
540k vs 347k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
30.4 vs 26.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
61 vs 45
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 98 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon 6D Mark II advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

Less expensive
$1799 vs $3249
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1200 vs 900 shots
Capture more photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Both provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

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Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens
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Buy the Canon 6D Mark II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm IS II USM lens
Kit with 24-105mm IS STM lens

All 6D Mark II Deals

Review Excerpt

Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.
JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.
Read our Canon 5D Mark IV Review

Great vari-angle touchscreen; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Good image quality in most situations; Impressive performance for its class.
Disappointing dynamic range; No 4K video; Optical viewfinder comes up short; Narrow AF point coverage through viewfinder.
Read our Canon 6D Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

$2499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2139
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D Mark II

Canon 5D Mark III

$1399
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2139
35mm

Dual card slots
More AF points

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810

$2499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2346
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D810

Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D810

$1399
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2346
35mm

More dynamic range
Internal flash

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D810

Compared to Nikon D610

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D610

$2499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1271
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D610

Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D610

$1399
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1271
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D610

Compared to Nikon D750

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D750

$2499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1698
35mm

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D750

Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D750

$1399
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1698
35mm

More dynamic range
Internal flash

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D750

Compared to Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II

$2499
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Sony A99 II

Canon 6D Mark II

Sony A99 II

$1399
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Sony A99 II

Compare Other Cameras?