One camera that many have been looking forward to from Canon in 2017 is the EOS 6D Mark II, the follow-up to the popular entry level full frame 6D. But an interesting report from Canon Watch is now suggesting that we may not get a 6D Mark II at all, instead of seeing Canon launching their own full frame mirrorless camera to go head to head with Sony’s A7 series.
We have heard reports of secret Canon tests on full frame mirrorless cameras going back to as early as 2014, so the idea that big red could be nearing the launch of such a camera is not all that surprising. However, the revelation (though unofficial) that this could be a camera that Canon launches in place of the 6D Mark II is a surprising thing to note for sure.
So why would Canon ditch the 6D line in favor of a full frame mirrorless? Well, the report goes on to say that this full frame Canon mirrorless actually features a full-fledged EF mount, a spec that will simultaneously incite cheers and crying. So it would not be a stretch to think that Canon still considers mirrorless lower than its professional level DSLRs, so replacing its entry-level DSLR with an entry-level full frame mirrorless could seem like a better move as a full frame mirrorless launch would no doubt command more press buzz than simply a 6D refresh.
Now this is complete speculation, but Canon could also be considering something like they have done with the 80D and the EOS M5. Which is to say that the 80D and EOS M5 are virtually the same spec wise and perform very similarly, one just being mirrorless and the other a DSLR. Maybe Canon could launch something like an EOS M6 and the EOS 6D Mk II, where the two cameras feature virtually identical specs, just one being mirrorless full frame and the other being DSLR.
That honestly, would be a strategy that makes a lot of sense to me. It allows Canon to appeal to the photographers considering a mirrorless move (which right now would almost certainly mean moving to another system), keeping them in the Canon family, while at the same time appealing to those who still prefer a mirrored world with a 6D DSLR.
Regardless, this could be a really interesting year from Canon should any of the above occur, and I honestly don’t feel like things have been all that exciting from Canon in a while, so it would be nice to see them hit the market with something totally unexpected – like a full frame mirrorless – that just knocks everyone on their asses.