Canon EOS M6 Mark II review

Verdict

It would be very easy to dismiss the Canon EOS M6 Mark II as a camera with limited appeal, given its small body and lack of a viewfinder. 

However, if you spend some time looking at the specifications, you begin to realize that this is actually a very capable camera, with its small size and weight offering real benefits for travel and street photographers, or anyone who would prefer not to lug around a hefty DSLR. 

By using the same sensor as found in the enthusiast-level 90D DSLR, Canon is telling us that the M6 Mark II is actually also suitable for serious photographers, who shouldn’t dismiss it out of hand. While many enthusiasts will crave a viewfinder, the lack of one isn't a serious omission given that one can be purchased separately – and using just a screen will barely be an issue for those used to shooting on their phone, and vloggers. 

Image quality is excellent, with that high-resolution sensor delivering lovely, detailed images with great colors. It’s disappointing not to see inbuilt image stabilization here, but so long as you’re aware of that, you can allow for it. 

Probably the biggest disappointment – and it's one that goes for Canon's entire M-series line – is the limited selection of native lenses. Canon will tell you that you can use its extensive range of EF and EF-S lenses via an adapter, which is true, but to do so with such a small camera rather defeats the point; we can only hope that Canon continues to devote resources to expanding the native options. 

Overall, though, there's a lot to like about the EOS M6 Mark II. It’s ideally suited to travel and street photography, while also being a good choice for subjects such as landscapes, portraiture, and – particularly impressively – action and sport. We didn’t expect to like the M6 Mark II quite as much as we did, but it turns out to be a nifty little performer that we can highly recommend.

Competition

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Canon EOS 90D

If you’re a bit of a traditionalist who's not keen to switch to mirrorless, the EOS 90D features the same 32.5 megapixel APS-C sized sensor and Digic 8 image processor as the M6 Mark II. It’s also a good all-rounder, although the max burst rate is a little more limited at 10fps. You do, however, get access to a more diverse range of lenses, along with the advantages of a viewfinder and a fully articulating screen.

Read our in-depth Canon EOS 90D review

Fujifilm X-T30

If you’re looking for a travel-friendly camera but don’t want to skimp on good looks, then you can’t really go wrong with the X-T30. Packing a 26.1 megapixel APS-C sized sensor, it also boasts up to 20fps shooting, 4K video recording and has a much better native lens range than Canon’s M series. Plus it looks gorgeous, too.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-T30 review