Review of Canon 6D: Camera and Unboxing

This is a series of a few posts to review the different aspects of a DSLR camera system. Most of the information here is based on research from others online and I have tried to condense it down to a few posts for beginners who are looking to get more equipment than just the standard cropped frame kits, like the Canon T5i with 18-55mm. Hugely popular and very capable, but I can explain in later posts how getting a different lens can hugely affect your images. However, it all costs money. Here are the other posts:

• Introduction to Digital Photography nomenclature
  • Crop factors (APS-C vs Full Frame), Focal Lengths, F-number
• Introduction to Canon Lens (EF and EF-S, despite the fact that EF-S does not fit on a full frame body)
  • This post will include some standard information about different focal lengths and f-stops.
  • It will also include two major different focusing hardware
• Introduction to Canon SpeedLite Flashes (works with any Canon DSLR, which is pretty amazing)

So because of the awesome deal on a Canon 6D at Best Buy, I took the plunge and got one with the 24-105mm f/4L USM lens. I had some time to play around with it and here are my thoughts. My previous camera was my dad’s Canon Rebel XSI.

Camera:

• The shutter is much quieter than my old camera. Canon did design the shutter differently so it is quieter, for events like weddings. (Other people have noticed this too)
• The LCD is not as good as the 5D MK3 but still very nice
• There is a slide switch that locks the buttons on the back face of the camera. Great feature, especially if you are walking around with the camera on. There has been a few times that settings have totally changed as the camera keeps hitting random stuff on the straps of my bookbag.
• There is a lock on the photo settings dial on top. Also very helpful as you can accidentally change settings turning the camera on/off. (I have managed to accidentally changed the settings despite the lock. It happens but definitely not idiot proof.)
• The wireless feature is amazing. You can transfer pictures wireless to a computer, tablet or smartphone. You can even remotely take a picture with your smartphone with the EOS remote app. The Canon 70D has a similar feature. You can also share it via Instragram among other options. Take gorgeous pictures and then ruin it with some cheap free Instragram filters. This feature was hugely popular at a New Years Eve Party I was at.
• This is the only DSLR camera with built in GPS for geo-tagging your pictures. Other point and shoots already have this feature, like the S100. This is a first for DSLRs
• The camera body itself is much heavier than the standard cropped frame APS-C camera. The lens assembly (24-105mm F/4L USM) is much heavier than the standard 18-55 EF-S lens assembly. Its still a bit lighter than the 5D MKII and MKIII and my brother notes that it is also lighter than the Canon 7D, which was pretty surprising.

I haven’t had the time to try the movie mode yet but I will next month when I have a bit more time to play with the camera.

Unboxing and Package Contents

I was surprised to see the camera in a thin bubble sheet next to the large box next to it.

Inside the white box was the lens, which was appropriately better packaged.

So here are the contents of the Canon 6D:

• Canon 6D
• 24-105 f/4L EF Lens with both end caps
• Lens Bag
• Shoulder Strap (with Canon stitched on one side, 6D on another)
• Battery Charger
• Battery
• Composite A/V cable (who uses these anymore?)
• USB Cable
• Software CD
• Printed Manual

Another view of the accessories.

Here is a closeup of the body and lens separately.