I tested the Canon EOS R6 Mark III — it's a near-perfect hybrid camera, with one major drawback
SOURCE:TechRadar|BY: Alex Whitelock
The Canon EOS R6 Mark III takes the fight to Sony and Nikon with an impressive range of upgrades for both video and stills.
As a fully-featured hybrid camera, the Canon R6 Mark III achieves the brief with top marks for both stills and video. It's a little sensible, a little safe, but Canon has managed to pack in a decent array of upgrades into a cleverly refined package. Key additions include the 33MP sensor, support for 7K open gate video, and the genuinely interesting Register People Priority mode. In real-world use, the R6 Mark III is an absolute joy to use, with intuitive controls, menus, and great results straight out of the camera. Both casual and professional users will find a lot to work with here, although Canon's continued decision to keep the RF mount closed to third-party full-frame alternatives is still a drawback versus the rivals.
Pros
New 33MP sensor
7K open gate video
Useful and intuitive autofocus features
Refined shooting experience
Cons
-
Restricted recording times on some formats
-
Slightly worse dynamic range than rivals
-
Canon's R-Mount is still closed
-
More expensive than Mark II
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Canon EOS R6 Mark III: two-minute review
The Canon R6 Mark III is the brand's latest enthusiast-level hybrid camera, and successor to one of Canon's most popular models. It's perhaps the clearest expression of a 'hybrid' Canon camera yet within its price range, with a fresh 33MP sensor that not only offers a significant bump in resolution (from 24MP), but a host of new video features such as 7K open-gate.
(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
In real-world testing, the R6 Mark III is also a stunning stills and video camera, capable of producing superb results in both fields. In a field where competitors are eager to champion stacked BSI sensors, the Mark III proves that you need neither to achieve great performance. Images are detailed with great dynamic range and flexibility, and you still get an impressive 40fps burst rate, despite the significant jump in resolution.
Perhaps the biggest stumbling block for the R6 III isn’t necessarily the camera itself, but the increasingly competitive field it sits within. Rival brands are not only producing exceptional cameras currently, but they do so on democratized and open lens mounts.
For example, the Nikon Z6 III undercuts the R6 on price, the Panasonic S1 II features more powerful video tools, and the Sony A7 V falls back on its vast lens ecosystem. In comparison, the R6 III looks like the jack of trades - a safe, if somewhat unexciting pick in the best mirrorless cameras landscape.
Those already faithful to the Canon RF-Mount will be overjoyed with this camera, however. As previously stated, there's a refined assuredness to the R6 Mark III that makes it a reliable hybrid workhorse. Regardless of whether you're a professional wedding photographer, amateur videographer, or even a serious beginner, it's hard not to recommend the R6 Mark III because of its compelling mix of usability, image quality, and value. Yes, it's pricier than the Mark II, but considering the new sensor (and inflation), you definitely get a good amount of camera for the money here.
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Canon EOS R6 Mark III specs
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Canon EOS R6 Mark III specs
Type:
Mirrorless camera
Sensor:
Full-frame (36x24mm) FSI CMOS
LCD:
3-inch, fully-articulated, 1.62M dots
Memory:
1x UHS-II SD, 1x CFexpress Type B
Resolution:
32.5-megapixels
Video:
Up to 7K30p (open gate)
ISO range:
ISO 50-102,400
Mechanical Shutter speeds:
30-1/8000sec
Electronic Shutter speeds:
30-1/16000sec
Viewfinder:
3.69M dot, OLED EVF, 0.76x
Processor:
DIGIC X
Connectivity:
WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI, audio, mic
Weight:
609g
Canon EOS R6 Mark III: Price and availability
Announced November 6th, 2025
Body only price of $2,799 / £2,799.99 / AU$4199.95
Kit options available, including RF 24-105mm f4 L IS
The R6 Mark III retails for $2,799 / £2,799.99 / AU$4199.95, which makes it pricier than the previous iteration by a few hundred dollars / pounds. Interestingly, the EOS R6 II isn’t being discontinued (at least, immediately), and instead will be available for a list price of 1,979 / £1,918 / AU$3,099.
The Mark III is essentially slotting in the market between its two major competitors - the Sony A7 V for $2900 / £2800 and the Nikon Z6 III for $2700 / £2500. Of the three, however, it’s worth noting that the Z6 III has been on the market for the longest time and tends to be particularly partial to price cuts. You’ll likely have to wait a while to find an R6 Mark III or Sony A7 V for anywhere near as cheap as Nikon's alternative.
What can I say about the design of the R6 Mark III? Well, it’s typical Canon, in the most refined and best manner possible. If you’re familiar with the Mark II, the design is essentially identical, with only a few minor tweaks to the buttons surrounding the shutter, a new tally light, and revisions to the mode dial.
Is it boring? Well, it’s certainly sensible. All of the camera’s main functions are laid out in a purposeful and meticulous manner. The thumb, for example, naturally rests next to the back-button focus, an AF joystick, and an autofocus mode quick select. On the top, you have the typical three-way on-off switch, top-mounted dial, and extremely useful M-Fn quick dial menu that are again extremely easy to operate.
All of the above, of course, are fully mappable with the camera’s extensive customization options. A total of nine buttons are fully mapable, so you have plenty of options here for both video and photo applications.
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The camera is made of a sturdy polymer outer shell with environmental weather sealing(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
If you’re already a Canon shooter, no doubt you’ll be right at home here. My only minor criticism is that I wish Canon would add a second ring/middle finger button on the front of the body next to the grip. It’s something that’s featured on the higher-end Canon bodies, but it’s conspicuously missing from the R6 and R5 line. With such expansive customization features, it would be a fantastic addition to the body in my opinion.
In the hand, the R6 Mark III is sturdy and solid, with a generous grip that pairs well with popular lenses like the 24-70mm f/2.8. As part of the review process, Canon also sent me the EOS R8, and in comparison to the lower-end model, the R6 Mark III is much better suited to the chunkier RF glass. Unlike the feather-weight R8, the R6 Mark III balances well with fast primes like the 20mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4 - both of which are noticeably front-heavy on the entry-level model.
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The Canon R6 Mark III next to the Mark II(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
In terms of viewfinder and display, you get a 3.69M dot 120Hz OLED and 3-inch 1.62M dot panel respectively; both of which are holdovers from the previous model. The R6's displays are bright, relatively wide, and easy to use. No complaints here, although it's worth noting that both the Nikon Z6 III and Sony A7 V do have a slight edge over the R6. In the case of the Nikon, you get a higher-res 5.76M dot EVF, while the Sony A7 V features a 2.1M dot rear display that both articulates and tilts - a handy feature for both stills and video.
For ports, one of the main changes from the second-generation model is that the Mark III now features one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SD instead of two of the latter. Upgrading to a CFexpress card will incur a slight cost, but you’re going to need it if you want to record Raw video internally or make full use of the uncapped 40fps burst rate. Videographers will also be pleased to note that the Mark III now features a full-size HDMI port rather than the MicroHDMI on the previous iteration.
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The R6 Mark III now features a CF-Express Type B card slot(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
The R6 Mark III now utilizes the newer LP-E6P battery from the R5 Mark II. The older LP-E6NH batteries are still technically supported, but you'll need to use the newer iteration to fully unlock all the R6 Mark III's features. In this case, smartphone connectivity and the full array of 6K open-gate video modes.
Note that the R6 Mark III's battery is rated for 270 shots with the viewfinder and 510 with the rear screen. On paper, that's significantly lower than the Sony Alpha A7 V's rating of 630 / 750 shots respectively. I wouldn't say battery life is particularly poor, however. In real-world testing, I found the battery life to be far better than the ratings would suggest, with more than enough juice for a full day of stills photography. Videographers may want to pack a second battery just in case, though.
Design score: 5/5
Canon EOS R6 Mark III: Performance and features
Reliable autofocus for stills and video
Registered People Priority mode
7K footage at 30p ‘open-gate’
The R6 Mark III is interesting in that it lacks a few of the high-end features from the R5 II like the ability to control the focus point with your eye, in-camera 'AI' upscaling, and Action Priority modes. What it does offer, however, is rock-solid performance for a vast range of both photo and stills applications.
As the ‘enthusiast’ level body in the range, the R6 has a lot of ground to cover, but it essentially achieves the mark on all counts. Using the camera, is again, a very refined experience in terms of operation and ease-of-use.
For example, the R6’s autofocus performance is accurate and reliable even with fully automated operation. A simple press of the ‘set’ button will engage subject tracking, which is easily one of the ‘stickiest’ I’ve ever used on a camera. Even without the advanced bells and whistles of the R5, the R6 Mark III is exceptional at both subject tracking and detection.
There were only a few rare occasions when the autofocus missed the mark. For example, a case in a relatively dimly-lit room where the camera failed to focus on my parents’ cat’s eyes. This subject, with his black coat, is notoriously difficult to photograph. Even specifically engaging the R6 MIII’s animal detection mode gave me a few examples where the camera focused on his ears or whiskers rather than his eyes.
Another extreme example was a moving human target in a low-light situation. Even with a high-contrast backlit scene the camera slightly missed the mark when shooting with a 20mm prime fully wide open at f/1.4.
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The R6 Mark III slightly forward-focused in this extreme low-light scene at f/1.4.(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
Are these fair use cases? Well, certainly they are extreme situations where any camera would be tested. By most accounts, the R6 Mark III’s autofocus is still one of the best I’ve ever used on any camera.
We’re reaching a point now where all major camera brands have excellent out-of-the-box autofocus performance on reasonably priced bodies, but Canon does still have a few unique tricks. The Registered People Priority mode, for example, is the closest thing to a 'killer-app' I've seen on an enthusiast-level camera.
As a brief overview, this feature allows you to map autofocus tracking to specific faces, with the idea that the camera will prioritize them even in crowded scenarios. If you have a reference shot like a group headshot, then the camera detects and allows you to pick a specific face via the RPP mode.
During my testing, I didn't have a scenario where I could really stress-test this feature with large groups. In small groups of two to three people, however, the tracking was reliable. Overall, the Registered People Priority mode definitely has the potential to be a useful feature for certain scenarios, like event or wedding photography.
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Canon EOS R6 Mark III video modes
Aspect / Mode
Dimensions
Frame rates
3:2 / 7K RAW
6960 x 4640
30, 25, 24, 23.98
3:2 / 7K Compressed
6912 x 4608
30, 25, 24, 23.98
1.89:1 / 7K
6960 x 3672
60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24, 23.98
1.89:1 / DCI 4K
4096 x 2160
120, 100, 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24, 23.98
1.89:1 / DCI 2K
2048 x 1080
180, 150, 120, 100, 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24, 23.98
16:9 / UHD 4K
3840 x 2160
120, 100, 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24, 23.98
16:9 / Full HD
1920 x 1080
180, 150, 120, 100, 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24, 23.98
In terms of video, the R6 Mark III features an impressive array of recording options. There's not only the option for oversampled 4K up to 120p, but 7K footage at 30p ‘open-gate’ on the camera’s native 3:2 aspect ratio. For maximum post-production flexibility, there’s the option to shoot in Canon’s proprietary Cinema Raw format or the brand’s Clog 2 or Clog 3 profiles.
If all these features look familiar, it’s because the R6 Mark III shares the same sensor and bones as the Canon EOS C50. Unlike its video-centric sibling, however, the R6 doesn’t feature an in-built fan, so you will face restricted recording times for the heavier open-gate and 7K capture modes. That's also a key advantage of the rival Panasonic S1 II, alongside support for 120p at 4K.
One other upgrade for the Mark III is the camera’s overall burst-rate performance. While the camera lacks the Action Priority autofocus mode from the higher-end Canon bodies, it manages to retain the 12fps mechanical / 40fps e-shutter burst rates from the previous model despite the significant jump in resolution. You’ve still got the helpful inclusion of pre-burst capture here, but unlike the Mark II, the III doesn’t feature a standalone “Raw Burst mode” to enable it. It’s instead now integrated into the standard drive mode menu.
Performance score: 5/5
Canon EOS R6 Mark III: Image quality
33MP resolution (up from 24MP)
Pleasing, warm colors
Sharp video with flexible profiles
The Canon R6 Mark III is somewhat unusual in its peer group in that its sensor is neither back-side-illuminated nor ‘stacked’ like rivals from Sony or Nikon. It's an interesting distinction because rivals have long trumpeted the various advantages of these additions in a world where sensor development has seemingly slowed in recent years.
On paper, a stacked sensor does enable faster readout speeds, whereas a back-side-illuminated sensor should, in theory, give you cleaner images at high ISO. Recent testing has even proven that the Sony A7 V and Panasonic S1 II have slightly better ISO invariance than the Canon R6 Mark III thanks to dual-gain readouts.
So, does the Mark III lag behind the competition in terms of image quality? I'd have a hard time believing so. Based on real-world testing, I've found the camera to produce consistently excellent stills.
Out in the wild, I imagine the differences between all of these cameras is likely to be so minimal that you'd almost certainly not notice outside of incredibly niche use cases. It certainly shouldn't be the main deciding factor behind these cameras; ergonomics, video features, and available lenses are all much more important.
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Original shot, RAW, shot with the RF 24-70mm f/2.8(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
In terms of dynamic range, for example, you have heaps to work with here. Despite the significant increase in resolution from the previous iteration, the R6 Mark III produces lovely, clean RAW files (and even JPEGs) with ample headroom.
On several test shots, I was able to salvage significant details from a scene without much color cast or noise. Zooming in, noise is certainly still present, but it's relatively well controlled and very much in line with other modern full-frame bodies.
In low light the R6 Mark III handles exceptionally well, too. I shot a few hundred images in a local indoor amusement park that features a host of strobe and fluorescent lighting. It's the kind of environment that not only tests autofocus to the extreme, but often results in strange colors that are a nightmare to post-process.
When I pull up the files from the R6 Mark III, colors are well captured, even at ISO 10,000 and over. The first example in the gallery below was shot at that ISO, and the colors are absolutely spot-on for the scene, despite there being noise present in some of the shadows. Again, the R6 Mark III is an extremely capable stills camera in real-world testing.
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RAW sample shot, ISO 10,000, taken with RF 20mm f/1.4(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
Briefly touching on resolution; the upgrade from 24MP to 33MP does give you a nice bump in cropping potential without resulting in massive file sizes. Arguably, 24MP is still more than enough for most use cases, but 33MP is definitely a 'nice to have'. I certainly appreciated the little bit extra when cropping all the sample images on this page from the camera's native 3:2 to a web-friendly 16:9 format.
Colors are gorgeous, too. Even with RAW files, the images have a pleasing warmth to them without being overbearing. Skin tones look great straight from the camera, and in all cases, the files were great to work on in Adobe Lightroom.
In the gallery below, you can see a selection of RAW files. The opening shots are tweaked in Lightroom to my own tastes, whereas the following portrait shots show you both RAW files and a few of the camera's built-in JPEG profiles.
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RAW edited to taste in Lightroom, taken with RF 24-70mm f/2.8(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)
For video, you have a flexible set-up thanks to the R6 Mark III's myriad record modes and support for Clog2 and Clog3 formats. Of the two, the former gets you a flatter image with the most dynamic range possible for color grading, while the latter offers a more saturated and clean image for quick and easy editing. In either case, you can upload your own LUTs to the camera, and white balance can also be set in video mode, which was a common annoyance with the previous model.
As you'd imagine with a body that shares the same sensor as the Canon EOS C50, the R6 Mark III captures excellent footage. In my testing, I mostly used Canon's proprietary Canon 709 standard color profile (non-flattened), and the 4K footage in particular was fantastic. Colors were rich but true-to-life, the image was detailed, and there was plenty of dynamic range.
For an easy video workflow, there is very little to fault the R6 Mark III on. Even if you're a video-heavy hybrid shooter, don't overlook the Mark III in favor of the C50. You get a great video toolkit here with the added benefit of image stabilization and a mechanical shutter for stills.
Image quality score: 4.5/5
Canon EOS R6 Mark III: testing scorecard
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Canon EOS R6 Mark III
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
The R6 Mark III is well priced considering the level of performance. That said, it is pricier than the previous iteration, and it sits within a competitive field.
4/5
Design
The R6 Mark III is almost identical to the previous iteration. It's a super design, however, with fantastic ergonomics and customization.
5/5
Performance
Autofocus is superb for both stills and video. IBIS works admirably. Registered People Priority is a genuinely useful feature.
5/5
Image quality
Great straight-out-of-camera files for both stills and video. Flexible RAWs, and a huge array of video formats for both casual and professional use.
4.5/5
Should I buy the Canon EOS R6 Mark III?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
Also consider
Sony A7 V
As if on cue, Sony released the Alpha A7 V just one month after the R6 Mark III. In comparison, the A7 V is a little pricier than the R6 and doesn't have options for open gate video. It does, however, have a much more diverse lens ecosystem and innovative dual-gain ISO read-out thanks to its partially stacked sensor, which gives a slight edge in stills dynamic range.
Nikon's all-rounder, the Z6 III also features a partially stacked sensor, but with a resolution of just 24MP. That said, video recording is up to 6K 60p, and the Z6 III is blazing fast, also being supported by powerful in-body image stabilization. Launched in July 2024, it has come down in price and can be had for much less than the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.
I used several lenses, including the RF 24-105mm f/4 kit lens
Samples were shot in a diverse range of environments, including low light
Subject detection was tested using real-world situations
Canon loaned me the R6 Mark III alongside the R8, R6 Mark II, and several lenses for an extensive three-week period. In that time, I was fully able to test the camera in a range of scenarios for both stills and video.
As an overview, the lenses used include the RF 20mm f/1.4, the RF 85mm f/1.4, the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L, and the RF 24-105mm f/4 - the latter of which is available as a kit lens for the R6 III. All of the above image samples on this page were taken with these lenses in various scenarios, including both mid-day and difficult low-light environments.
First reviewed December 2025
Alex is TechRadar's retail editor, specializing in deals, buying advice, and general tips on how to save our readers as much cash as possible. He's covered events like Black Friday and Amazon in some capacity for over seven years now; both in editorial and other ecommerce adjacent roles on TechRadar, T3, GamesRadar, and other Future PLC sites. Alex's expertise touches on most areas, but he has a particular love for phones, laptops, and cameras, being an avid photographer.
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