The Sony a9 II is the update to the Sony a9, one of the first mirrorless cameras to best most DSLRs in the autofocus department. The Canon EOS R6 II is a newer camera that gives you many of the same features as the Sony a9 II. Which one of these cameras is ideal for you? Read on to find out!
Sony a9 II vs Canon EOS R6 II Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Sony a9 II | Canon EOS R6 II |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | October 2019 | November 2022 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | CMOS |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X (front-end LSI) | DIGIC X |
| Resolution | 24.2 MP | 24.2 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 6000×4000 | 6000×4000 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full Frame) | 36.0 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.93µ | 6.00µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 102,400 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-204,800 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | No | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/32000 | 1/16000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 10 FPS | 12 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 20 FPS | 40 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | Compressed 12-bit raw at 20 FPS (uncompressed 14-bit raw is available at 12 FPS) | 12-bit raw at 40 FPS (14-bit raw is available at 12 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 239 frames (20 FPS) | 75 frames (40 FPS), 110 frames (12 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF |
| Autofocus Points | 693 | 1053 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -3 EV | -5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/250 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | Yes | Yes |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | No | Yes, externally |
| 6K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS1 |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 180 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 780 min | 360 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.0 in | 3.0 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 1.44 million dots | 1.62 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Single Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.76x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 3.69 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | Yes | No |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 | Type C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Battery Type | NP-FZ100 | LP-E6NH |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 500 frames | 320 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 690 frames | 580 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 760 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 678 g (1.49 lbs.) | 670 g (1.48 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 129 x 96 x 78 mm (5.1 x 3.8 x 3.1″) | 138 x 98 x 88 mm (5.4 x 3.8 x 3.5″) |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $4500 (Check Current Price) | $2500 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Sony a9 II Used Prices | Canon EOS R6 II Used Prices |
| 1The Canon EOS R6 II supports 6K video, but only with an external recorder over HDMI | ||
The question of the Sony a9 II versus the Canon EOS R6 II certainly makes sense. Although there are some more capable cameras out there like the Sony a1, the Nikon Z9, and the Canon R5, there is still a place for a more midrange action camera that won’t break the bank. And although the Sony a9 II was quite expensive when it first came out, the large number of used copies available means it really does make sense to compare these two cameras.
I already compared the original Sony a9 to the Canon EOS R6 II. Of course, in that case, there is a bit more favour for the original a9 due to price. However, even though the a9 II is more expensive, it also is even more capable than its predecessor.
And in this regard, the Sony a9 II is certainly the more capable action camera. Unlike the Canon R6 II, it has a stacked shutter, meaning no rolling shutter effects and more autofocus calculations. The Sony a9 II also has a massively larger buffer at 239 frames at 20FPS over the R6’s buffer, which is still only 110 frames even at 10FPS.
Are there any advantages to the Canon R6 II? Indeed there are. Of course the obvious is the MSRP, which matters a lot if you’re buying new. Canon undoubtedly gives you a lot of camera for just $2500, though you can easily find a used a9 II for that price. And since the a9 II didn’t improve much on the video front, the Canon R6 II is a much better video camera.
If a friend asked me which camera to get, I’d just say: the a9 II for birds and fast action, but the R6 II for everything else, especially video!
What does the Sony a9 II offer over the Canon EOS R6 II?
- Better autofocus and a stacked sensor
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 180 more shots according to CIPA measurements
What does the Canon EOS R6 II offer over the Sony a9 II?
- Much better video
- Fully articulating screen
- Much lower price, costing $2000 less—you could take a trip with this savings!
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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