Should I get the Canon EOS 6D or the EOS 80D?

If you currently have a Rebel/***D or **D series camera, the Canon EOS 6D and EOS 80D are logical upgrade candidates you may be considering. Or, if you already own a 1D-series or 5D-series camera, the 6D or 80D may be considered for backup purposes. Either way, while they share a similar size and weight, they are very different cameras from a features standpoint. Let's take a look at these two DSLR bodies to see which upgrade/backup option may be right for your needs.

First, let's consider the EOS 6D's benefits over the 80D:

• Full frame sensor capable of cleaner imagery at higher ISOs and stronger a background blur
• Larger ISO range: Auto (100-25600), 100-25600, L: 50, H1: 51200, H2: 102400 vs. Auto (100-16000), 100-16000, H1: 25600
• Built-in GPS vs. optional accessory
• Slightly higher battery life: Approx. 1090 (at 23°C, AE 50%, FE 50%) vs. 960

And here are the EOS 80D's advantages over the 6D:

• Higher resolution: 24.2 MP vs. 20.2
• Compatability with EF-S lenses
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF Sensor
• Pop-up master flash vs. No flash
• Ambience priority / White priority AWB vs. Ambience only
• Touch screen Vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0") 3:2 Clear View II TFT LCD vs. fixed LCD
• Headphone socket vs. None
• More powerful image processing: DIGIC 6 vs. DIGIC 5+
• More advanced AF system: 45-point all cross-type AF (f/2.8 dual cross-type AF point at center, 27 active AF points at f/8) vs. 11 points (f/5.6 cross type at center, extra sensitivity at f/2.8)
• Newer/more advanced metering system: 7560-pixel RGB+IR 63 zone vs. 63 zone Dual Layer SPC
• Faster continuous shooting and larger RAW buffer: Max 7 fps (110 JPEG, 25 RAW) vs. 4.5 fps (1250 JPEG, 17 RAW)
• Faster max. shutter speed: 1/8000 sec. vs. 1/4000
• Larger viewfinder coverage: 100% vs. 97%
• More movie encoding options: .MOV & .MP4 (max. 1920 x 1080 [59.94, 50 fps] inter-frame) vs. .MOV (max. 1920 x 1080 [29.97, 25 fps] intra or inter frame), no .MP4 option
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC vs. Wi-Fi only
• Lower price

Essentially, you're looking at a comparison between Canon's low-end, budget conscious full-frame camera and their mid-range APS-C model. As evidenced by the above lists of advantages, the 80D provides a notable superset of features over 6D.

Who should opt for the EOS 6D?

If you are looking for the absolute best image quality, especially at higher ISOs, you will certainly benefit from the 6D's full frame sensor. If who want a true 35mm angle of view from Canon's EF, TS-E & MP-E lenses, the choice is easy – get the 6D. The 6D makes for an excellent dedicated studio/portraiture/landscape body.

Who should opt for the EOS 80D?

With many features not included in the EOS 6D, the 80D could be considered a more general purpose camera in this comparison. And if you're upgrading from another APS-C body, the 80D allows for a seamless transition because of its compatibility with designed-for-crop-sensor, EF-S lenses, while still being compatible with EF, TS-E & MP-E lenses.

If you shoot sports or wildlife, the 80D's advanced AF system, faster 7 fps burst rate, larger RAW continuous shooting buffer and 27 active AF points at f/8 will prove advantageous. And with the 80D's more pixel dense sensor, you'll have much more resolution when compared to taking the same image at the same shooting location with the 6D and cropping to the equivalent 1.6x focal length. If you're interested in filmmaking with your DSLR, the 80D's expanded movie options, headphone socket and excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF – allowing for superb focus tracking in movie mode – are huge benefits.

Summary

As is typical of Canon DSLRs, either one of these cameras can be employed to create stunning imagery. Your personal priorities and intended subject matter will ultimately determine which of these bodies is the best investment for capitalizing on your photographic opportunities. Hopefully, the comparison above has provided some insight into which of these bodies is the right addition for your camera kit. If not, check out our full reviews for more in-depth information on these (and many more) cameras.

Shopping Links

Canon EOS 6D – B&H | Amazon | Adorama | Wex Photographic
Canon EOS 80D – B&H | Amazon | Adorama | Wex Photographic