Let’s talk about the Canon R6 Mark II—the camera that finally feels like home after three long, exhausting years with the Sony A7III. Spoiler alert: I’m obsessed. As a hybrid shooter dabbling in weddings, portraits, travel content, fashion, and short clips for social media, I’ve always needed a camera that does it all. And boy, did I find it.

Disclaimer: All images featured in this post were captured during my recent trip to Sicily using the Canon R6 Mark II paired with EF lenses via Canon’s EF-to-RF adapter.

A Bit of Backstory: My Love-Hate Relationship with the Sony A7III

The Sony A7III was my introduction to the mirrorless world. It was hyped as the camera for creators, so naturally, I had high hopes. But honestly? It never won me over. Sure, it was competent—amazing autofocus, excellent specs on paper—but it lacked soul.

Let’s talk color science because, yes, it absolutely matters. Sony colors in less-than-perfect conditions felt like an unending fight. Everything had a weird green-gray cast that turned into a balancing nightmare in Lightroom. If you’ve ever shot in suboptimal lighting (so, like, all the time), you know what I mean. No amount of tweaking could bring life to those files. It felt clinical and, dare I say, lifeless. Coming from my beloved Canon 5D Mark III, Sony’s colors were a stark departure from the warm, vibrant tones I’d grown accustomed to.

Enter the Canon R6 Mark II

The R6 Mark II is everything I loved about the 5D Mark III, wrapped in a sleek, modern mirrorless package—and then some. From the moment I picked it up, I felt like I’d come back to my roots. It’s familiar yet refreshingly new.

Color Science That Actually Works

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: the colors. Oh. My. God. The colors. Canon’s color science is like a warm hug after years of wrestling with Sony’s icy embrace. Skin tones? Dreamy. Blues and greens? Natural. Overall vibrancy? Chef’s kiss. Matching colors to my film photographs? Almost effortless. Whether I’m shooting Portra 400 or Ektar, the R6 Mark II’s output integrates beautifully with my film scans. Most of the film presets and profiles I’ve collected over the years (Mastin Labs, TAP, GoodLight) don’t quite work as one-click solutions, so I finally took the plunge and created a custom preset tailored to this camera. It was absolutely worth it, and the results have been mind-blowing.

I used the R6 Mark II alongside the Sony A7III at a recent wedding, and let me tell you—it was a night and day difference. The Canon files required minimal tweaking, while I was left wrangling the Sony colors in post-production like my life depended on it. Spoiler: the Sony did not come out victorious.

The Familiarity of EF Glass

One of my non-negotiables was compatibility with my trusty EF lenses. I’ve invested years (and a small fortune) in building my collection of L and non-L glass. With Canon’s EF-to-RF adapter, everything works seamlessly. Autofocus is snappy, image quality is pristine, and I’ve never felt pressured to upgrade to RF lenses. But now that I’m considering selling my Sony gear, maybe it’s time to splurge on some RF glass. (That’s future-me’s problem.)

A Hybrid Shooter’s Best Friend

As someone who shoots a mix of stills and short video clips, the R6 Mark II delivers in every department. The AI autofocus is scarily good. It’s like the camera reads my mind, locking onto subjects effortlessly and never missing a beat. Shooting moving subjects or switching between photo and video modes feels intuitive and stress-free. Add to that the dual card slots for instant backup and the flippy screen for vlogging or vacation selfies, and you’ve got a camera that’s ready for anything.

For video, I’m not a professional videographer by any means, but for what I need—short clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and travel reels—the R6 Mark II has been more than enough. Canon’s C-Log colors are a dream to work with, especially when paired with their provided LUTs. It’s simple, clean, and lets me focus on the fun parts of creating.

Battery Life That Surprised Me

Let’s talk batteries. The R6 Mark II uses the same LP-E6 batteries as my 5D Mark III, and they last surprisingly long. Coming from the Sony A7III (and its less-than-stellar battery life), this was a revelation. I can shoot for hours without worrying about swapping batteries, which is a lifesaver on busy days.

The One Tiny Flaw

If I’m nitpicking—and I am—the R6 Mark II feels a bit fragile. The body has a slightly plasticky vibe compared to the tank-like build of my 5D Mark III. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re rough on your gear. That said, the lighter build is a blessing when you’re carrying your camera around all day.

Why the R6 Mark II Wins My Heart

The Canon R6 Mark II doesn’t just tick boxes; it reinvigorates my passion for shooting. It feels like a camera designed for real-world creators, not just spec sheet enthusiasts. Whether I’m capturing weddings, snapping portraits, shooting quick video clips, or documenting my travels, it delivers every time.

It’s not perfect—no camera is—but for someone like me, who craves reliable performance and beautiful output, it’s as close as it gets. After three years of feeling disconnected from my gear, the R6 Mark II reminds me why I fell in love with photography in the first place.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a hybrid shooter, a former Canon DSLR loyalist looking for a mirrorless upgrade, or someone who values vibrant colors and intuitive performance, the R6 Mark II is worth every penny. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgia and innovation, combining everything I loved about my 5D Mark III with the perks of a modern mirrorless system.

Goodbye, Sony; it’s been real. Hello, Canon; it’s good to be back.