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Canon 90D VS 6D Mark ll: Complete Review & Comparison

By Matthew Rivera
  • Last Updated: Apr 29, 2023
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Are you trying to decide between the Canon 90D VS 6D? Look no further! This guide will help you see objective differences between the two, including price, specifications, strengths, and weaknesses. Read on as we help you weigh the pros and cons of the 6D mark ll VS 90D!

Canon 6D VS 90D Overview

Canon EOS 90D
Canon EOS 90D
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Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D Mark ll
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Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Canon EOS 6D Mark II

The Canon EOS 6D Mark ll is Canon’s latest full-frame mirrorless camera that professionals and amateurs alike rave about. As a full-frame with a 26MP sensor, it assures reduced noise, beautiful color-depth, and gorgeous bokeh.

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For a fair price point, it has a lot of great specs and features to offer. Although a little bit on the bulky side, especially when you count the lens, the grip is still comfortable, especially for medium-sized hands. The plasticky chassis might give off a strange feeling at first, but for what it’s worth, it is durable, does not creak, and principally establishes a weather-sealed design. This makes it a joy to have for events up to everyday pictorials.

You’ll also love its fully articulated touchscreen and dual pixel autofocus, though admittedly, the viewfinder autofocus systems lack accuracy, and burst shooting becomes slower when autofocus is in live view. Although this is perfect for photography, the video quality at 1080/60P still does not show precise details.

Compared to its 90D counterpart, the maximum light sensitivity of EOS 6D Mark ll is 1024900 ISO, which is double 90D’s 51200 ISO. The 6D Mark ll is efficient in low-light photography and has an overall clean and good image quality.

Pros

  • Ideal for low light and portrait photography
  • Allows shallow depth-of-field and beautiful bokeh
  • Excellent image quality

Cons

  • Lens and chassis are bulky
  • Limited video quality
  • Autofocus system lags behind

Canon EOS 6D Mark II

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Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Canon EOS 6D Mark ll
Canon EOS 90D
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Canon EOS 90D

Rivaling EOS 6D Mark is the mid-sized DSLR, the Canon EOS 90D. This classic DSLR has a familiar weather-sealed chassis, comfortable ergonomics, and controls. However, it also boasts high-resolution photographs and videos up to 4k without cropping.

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With its 32.5 MP sensor, high-resolution photos are to be expected. However, such a large pixel size is incompatible with an APS-C sensor, resulting in excellent resolution but more noise. However, since the ISO performance of the 90D is not as good as that of the 6D Mark ll, it has better autofocus.

The 90D also sports Live View focusing to ensure accuracy and has 100%  viewfinder coverage. Aside from being a strong camera for low-light photography, it is equipped with an integrated flash in case you want to brighten your subject.

It’s no surprise that the 90D is frequently compared to the 6D Mark ll, which has nearly identical features. However, because the 90D has had the benefit of more recent technology, it features a better picture processing engine, faster shutter (1/8000s), and faster burst (11 fps vs. Mark ll’s 6.5fps).

Overall, it provides more than what 6D Mark ll does. It boasts a lower price point, more varied photography, filmmaking functions, and improved autofocus. If you want ultra-sharp, ultra-noise-free results, you should go with the Canon EOS 90D.

Pros

  • 4k video capture with no crop
  • Has a headphone jack
  • Good autofocus and 100% optical viewfinder

Cons

  • Has no sync socket
  • Continuous recording limit of 29 minutes, 59 seconds
  • Images and videos are somewhat soft

Canon EOS 90D

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Canon EOS 90D
Canon EOS 90D Product Photo3

6D Mark ll VS 90D Comparison And Contrast Points

1. Design, body, and specifications

Size

Objectively speaking, when it comes to weight, lighter cameras are ideal because it is easier to carry and sling around. Similarly, thinner cameras are preferable, particularly for travelers who want a more portable device. It’s also worth noting that cameras that are smaller in size are easier to maneuver because the buttons are more likely to be within fingertip reach.

In terms of size, the Canon EOS 90D is the clear victor.

Weather Sealing

The 6D Mark ll and 90D are both weather-sealed. This means you can take it practically everywhere in all four seasons. Only about 26% of cameras have this feature, which ensures extra sealing to prevent dust and water droplets from damaging your camera. So, if you’re seeking long-term upkeep, both are excellent options! 

However, remember that just because they’re dustproof and water-resistant doesn’t mean you can submerge them in water.

Battery Life

If battery longevity is important to you, both cameras employ an LP-E6N battery, but the number of images and videos they can capture on a single charge is significantly different. The 6D Mark ll can take 380 photos and up to 180 minutes of video before running out of battery power. The EOS 90D, on the other hand, captures 510 images and 168 minutes of video before running out of juice.

So, which is more important to you, videos or photos? The EOS 90D has a longer battery life for photographs, but the Mark ll is superior for video.

Screen

Because they have identical screen sizes, that’s one less thing to consider! The 6D Mark ll and the EOS 90D include an optical viewfinder that allows you to frame shots while seeing exactly what the lens will capture, so there are no surprises! 

Viewfinder coverage, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. The Canon EOS 90D has 100% viewfinder coverage which is a premium feature that is rarely seen in similarly priced cameras.

The winner: Canon EOS 90D

2. Sensor

The EOS 6D Mark ll is powered by the Digic 7 CPU and sports a Full Frame 26.2 MP CMOS sensor. While the EOS 90D has a smaller, APS-C-sized sensor, it captures 38.5 megapixels and is powered by Digic 8 image processor.

The sensor on the 6D Mark ll is larger at 1.38 square inches compared to the 0.53 square inches of the EOS 90D. A larger sensor is especially beneficial for professionals who desire great photographs in low light (reduced noise) and a deeper color depth, which the APS-C sensor lacks. With a big sensor, you may employ a shallow depth-of-field, which increases your chances of capturing gorgeous bokeh – which is essential for portrait photography. However, larger and heavier lenses are to be expected.

If you want more detailed shots, Canon 90D is the better choice because of its 38.5 Megapixels, which is way more than 6D Mark ll’s 26.2 MP. Because 90D has better resolution, you can crop and print larger images without worrying about resolution. But then again, it’s not the only factor that affects the final resolution because optical elements, pixel size, and sensor technology matter, too.

Speaking of sensor technology, 90D also has a more-advanced one with its image processing engine, the DIGIC 8, whereas Mark ll only has Digic 7. This gives 90D better noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

The winner: Canon EOS 6D Mark ll

3. Special features

The Canon 6D Mark ll VS 90D debate is confusing precisely because of so many similarities between the two. Looking at their special features might just be the key to finding that unique denominator.

A unique feature we discovered is the absence of built-in flash in the Canon 6D Mark ll, which is advantageous in darker locations. The Canon EOS 90D also has an audio jack socket that helps monitor sounds. Meanwhile, the 6D Mark ll has near-field communication, which makes wireless data transfer faster than Bluetooth and WiFi.

The winner: You can be the judge (but we like the 90D a little better)

4. Connectivity

These days, photographers are frequently on the move or rushing to get their shots retouched or published as soon as possible. A DSLR with lots of connectivity options is ideal because it makes data transfer easier and can be paired with accessories that will boost the overall experience.

What 90D has that 6D Mark ll does not is a headphone jack. This gives the 90D an advantage because it can more easily keep track of the audio quality while recording. On the other hand, 6D Mark ll has NFC support which allows devices to quickly share data by simply being a few centimeters apart. It also uses less battery power when transferring data.

The winner: EOS 90D

5. Lens Availability

There is a limit to what it can do with its standard lenses. This is why having a variety of lens selections allows you to do a greater variety of styles. The lack of image stabilization in both the 6D and 90D is a letdown. Fortunately, you can obtain this feature if you purchase lenses that include it. 

There are presently 333 lenses available for the 90D, whereas 257 lenses are available for the 6D Mark ll.

The winner: EOS 90D

6. Price

The EOS 6D Mark ll and EOS 90D are both good value for money. The current market price of EOS 6D Mark ll is around 200 dollars more compared to EOS 90D. While the former offers advanced features for photography, the latter is dedicated to providing excellent video shots, too. At the end of the day, it all depends on where your priorities lie.

The winner: EOS 90D

When To Use Canon EOS 6D Mark ll VS 90D?

Looking at the DXO scores or the sensor performance measurements can help assess what type of photography your camera can be used for depending on its resolution as affected by color depth, dynamic range, and low-light sensitivity.

Portrait Photography

The DXO for color depth is often associated with portrait photography because it shows how many colors a sensor can pick up. The higher the score, the better it is for a portrait. Though take note that this isn’t the only basis for portrait photography. We also looked at the different sensor sizes. The larger it is, the shallower the field’s depth, and the more it leaves a beautiful bokeh. In this regard, the 6D Mark ll with a Full Frame sensor wins. Although the 90D uses an APS-C sensor and has a higher resolution at 33.0MP.

The winner: EOS 6D Mark ll

Landscape Photography

The DXO for dynamic range is often associated with landscape photography because it ensures balance in places with a lot of contrast. It indicates the saturation and lowest brightness that a camera can capture without losing scenery details (i.e. shadows, highlights, hues).

Aside from the DXO score, a live-view, built-in GPS, and a weather-proofed camera would be sensible — all of which the 90D and 6D Mark ll both possess. The competing factors are then their sensor size, resolution, and DXO score, with 90D proving to be superior except for sensor size.

The winner: EOS 90D

Sports Photography

The DXO low-light sensibility is frequently associated with sports photography since it is often difficult to obtain adequate illumination when your subject is in motion. This is why selecting one with the highest ISO range is best.

However, in this scenario, we still prefer the 90D as a better sports photography camera since, while the 6D Mark ll is far superior in low light ISO, the 90D has 11 fps to the 6D’s 6.5 fps. The shutter speed on the 90D is also faster, it has a longer battery life, and it is well-known for its performance in motion photography. Furthermore, it is still suitable for low-light situations. Besides, it still has good low-light performance.

The winner: EOS 90D (a close tie with 6D Mark ll)

Street Photography

There is no DXO score for street photography, but the strict standards remain: good magnification, portable, quick, and accurate autofocus. The EOS 90D wins this category because it is more compact, with a 0.95x magnification versus 6D Mark ll’s 0.71x. Although 6D Mark ll offers faster autofocus when the mirror is locked, it isn’t as accurate as manual focusing with the viewfinder.

The winner: EOS 90D

Travel Photography

When traveling, you’ll want a camera that’s small, sturdy, has a good battery, and is weather-resistant. A built-in GPS is a nice feature that will keep you from getting lost, too. Both of these features are present in 90D and 6D Mark ll, but the 90D is more portable, has a better battery, and is lightweight. It is also helpful in taking photos and videos.

The winner: EOS 90D

Vlogging

If there is one thing comparably superior between 90D and 6D Mark ll, it is the video-recording quality. The 90D can capture full-width 4k/30p. However, the footage is soft compared to cameras professionally used for filming. It is also unfortunate that video quality can’t go as low as 24p or 1080p, but that’s better than 6D Mark ll’s video quality which is comparably softer and only goes up to 1080p.

The winner: EOS 90D

Final Verdict

Selecting the perfect camera for you is a matter of preference and needs. The EOS 90D is cheaper and arguably more versatile, but if you have a specific niche in mind, then maybe this jack-of-all-trades camera isn’t for you. The 6D Mark ll is a better professional pick, since it is better at taking clear, clean, noise-free, and high-resolution photographs.

Canon EOS 90D

Canon EOS 90D

Rivaling EOS 6D Mark is the mid-sized DSLR, the Canon EOS 90D. This classic DSLR has a familiar weather-sealed chassis, comfortable ergonomics, and controls. However, it also boasts high-resolution photographs and videos up to 4k without cropping.

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