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Canon 6D is Full Frame With GPS and Wi-Fi
The Canon 6D is also a full-frame SLR. It adds Wi-Fi and GPS. “EOS Remote” is an app available for Apple or Android smartphones. With it and built-in Wi-Fi, you can quickly check still images in your camera with your smartphone. You can also transfer them to a computer, the Internet or a smart phone, but unfortunately you cannot transfer Mov movie files via Wi-Fi. The GPS unit can embed location data into every still image. It includes a logging function that can keep track of where you’ve been through the day. Travel, news or legal photographers will probably find this feature useful.
The specs on the Canon 6D are very similar to the Canon the 5D. The 6D has a new autofocus system that is better that the 5D’s and looks to be more sensitive in low light. They’ve moved a few things around on the body. The white balance and flash compensation are no longer on the top. They are now accessible in the Quick Control screen.
The new Canon CMOS sensor is 20.2mp, 14-bit. Sensitivity is 100 – ISO 25600/102,400 (expanded). Unlike the other Canon DSLRs, the viewfinder only covers 97%. The video is H.264 QuickTime MOV, 1080/30p/ 25p/24p; 720/60p/50p. At 3.0 inches, the LCD is a hair smaller than than the 5D.
Apps allow you to control the camera direct from your smartphone. This could be helpful when filming in dangerous situations or perhaps with time lapse. Is the next step a DSLR with built-in smartphone?
Because the layout is a bit different from other Canon DSLRs this one is unlikely to be chosen as a second camera for video shooters.
The Canon 6D is $2,100, available in December 2012.
Black Magic Cinema Camera – First Look
One of the first to receive a shipped camera is Rick Young. In this video, he shoots and explains the features as he goes.As he says, you can use just about any lens with the right adapter, but the Canon EF glass works right away, including auto focus and auto iris. Rick also explains how to easily work with the crop factor.
By taking us through the menus, he shows how easy the camera is work with. Not only is it simple, but there’s a nice big hi-res built-in monitor to work with. None of the menus have too many layers like many other cameras.
Rick is shooting and demonstrating the camera without reading the manual. That’s a good sign.
One thing Rick didn’t address is whether you can handhold this camera. Hand-holding a camera is not something I recommend you do often, but sometimes it’s the only way to get the shot. I did see on the B&H site there’s a hand-holding rig available, but it keeps all the weight out front.
I know that no has said this was a documentary camera. It’s always been touted as ideal for low budget features and commercials. I can imagine a rig that has weights and keeps the weight of the entire unit more on your shoulder rather than out in front where your arms will tire sooner. Since there’s no view finder, you couldn’t put your eye up against the monitor. So maybe you shouldn’t even think of it as a possible doc camera. What do you think?
