Canon EOS 90D and EOS M6 Mark II tested: SLR versus system camera
The Canon EOS 90D and the EOS M6 Mark II have the same image sensor. Perfect conditions to clarify what difference the lack of a mirror makes between a DSLR and a system camera.
The CMOS sensor in APS-C format has a resolution of 32.5 megapixels in both cameras. The lack of a mirror does not have a major impact on its image quality. Instead, the size and operation as well as some features make the EOS 90D and the EOS M6 Mark II suitable for different purposes.
With or without a mirror
I've been shooting with SLR cameras for around 15 years. I have not yet made the switch to a system camera without a mirror. The two new cameras from Canon are a welcome opportunity to explore the differences between DSLR and system cameras in everyday life. I used the EOS 90D and EOS M6 Mark II in the office to take photos for articles and to record videos, among other things.
I was struck by how much smaller and lighter the M6 Mark II is. Sure, a glance at the data sheets or the two cameras standing next to each other shows that, but feeling the difference in your hand is something else. I've always found myself reaching for the mirrorless camera without thinking because it's easier to handle. Its grip is so small that the little finger has nothing to do. This doesn't bother me, but I know that there are people for whom this is a disadvantage. With the 90D, on the other hand, I grip it with all five fingers, but I also have to hold almost 300 grams more - even without the lens.
When the display replaces the viewfinder
When I hold a camera with a viewfinder in my hand, I use it without thinking twice. However, the EOS M6 Mark II doesn't have a viewfinder. Instead, the display serves as a viewfinder. This is not a problem when taking photos. I didn't have to make the switch and the screen is bright enough to recognise things in the sunshine. Only the battery life is slightly shorter when the display is switched on. If you don't want to do without an optical viewfinder, you can buy an for the M6 and attach it to the accessory shoe.
As is always the case with SLR cameras, the EOS 90D's optical viewfinder is only used for photos. For videos, the camera switches to its display. It is the same three-inch touchscreen as the M6, only the movement options are different. You can tilt the screen of the smaller system camera 45 degrees downwards and 180 degrees upwards, for example to check the image section when you are standing in front of the camera. However, it then comes into conflict with accessories on the shoe. During video shoots, I placed the sound receiver on the accessory shoe and was then no longer able to fold the display completely upwards. On the 90D, the touchscreen swings out to the side and can then be rotated 270 degrees. You can look at the screen from below and from the front. If you don't need it, you can close it to protect it from scratches during transport, for example.
Do you prefer automatic or manual settings
With the EOS M6 Mark II, you can reach all the controls with the right hand holding the camera. With the EOS 90D, you need your left hand for the mode dial, the on/off switch and the menu and info buttons. It is noticeable that I can make more settings on the 90D using buttons or wheels on the camera and can see a lot of information about the selected settings on the small display on the top. With the EOS M, a lot of information and options are only accessible via the touchscreen.
The shutter release of the M6 Mark II has a clearer pressure point. You can clearly feel in your finger when the camera takes a photo. With the 90D, the button has a lot more play and you don't notice in your finger when the moment has come to take the photo. But you can hear it when the mirror pops up.
The battery of the EOS M6 Mark II has a significantly lower energy of 7.5 Wh than the battery of the 90D with 14 Wh. Canon states that you can take around 305 photos with the M6 on one battery charge. With the 90D it should be just under 1300 images. A significant difference, which is further emphasised by the fact that charging takes a long time - at least compared to a smartphone, whose charging speed we all know. For many shots in one day, an additional battery is the safer choice in case of doubt.
Connections and app: access from outside
Both cameras store photos and videos on an SD card and have connections for a remote control and an audio input, but only the EOS 90D allows you to connect headphones to control the sound during a video recording. The SLR camera uses a mini HDMI and a micro USB port for data transfer. The EOS M6 Mark II has a micro HDMI and USB-C connection instead.
You can pair both cameras with your smartphone via Bluetooth, operate them remotely via an app and dial them into a WLAN or connect the smartphone to the camera's WLAN. Use the Bluetooth remote control to press the shutter button and scroll through the image playback on the display. More functions are available with a Wi-Fi connection: You can transfer photos from the camera to your smartphone - automatically or after manual selection - and can use "Remote Live View" to not only see what the camera is recording, but also adjust settings and press the shutter button.
Image quality: two cameras, one sensor
I don't want to withhold a few sample photos from you. However, they are only comparable to a limited extent, as I didn't have the same lens for both cameras. The pictures of the EOS 90D were taken with a 18-to-55-millimetre lens and that of the EOS M6 Mark II with a 18-to-150-millimetre lens. As both cameras have different bayonets, I can't swap the lenses. I don't have an adapter with which the EF and EF-S lenses of the 90D can be attached to the EF-M bayonet of the M6.
I have taken the JPEG files as they come out of the camera. Both cameras can of course also shoot in RAW and you can then get a lot more out of the images in post-processing.
In some of my sample images, slight differences in image quality and lighting can be recognised. However, I would attribute this to the fact that the pictures were taken with different lenses on the street and not under laboratory conditions. That's why it doesn't really matter to me that the flooded Hamburg fish market is slightly brighter and less sharp on the EOS M6 Mark II.
In daylight, the photos look identical to me in terms of the colours, contrast range and level of detail. The type of camera - DSLR or system camera - doesn't seem to have any effect on the image quality.
Conclusion: If the sensor is identical, other things become important
When choosing between an SLR and a system camera, the sensor does not play a role with these two models. More important is the size of the camera, which you pay for with the M6 with the lack of a mirror, which I don't miss, and the lack of an optical viewfinder, which I miss. The question of lenses is also important. The choice for the 90D is still greater, but in future the choice for system cameras will be greater and there is also an adapter with which DSLR lenses fit the M series. It doesn't work the other way round.
The Canon EOS M6 Mark II is significantly more compact, lighter and easier to handle than the EOS 90D. With the rather long distances to the shooting settings, it is more suitable for you if you rarely adjust the settings and want to trust the automatic mode. It's like a better snapshot camera with an interchangeable lens - even if it can do more. I would be very happy with it for my personal photos.
In the editorial team, it was a different story. The EOS 90D is my first choice. I'm less lazy here and can quickly and frequently adjust the shooting and exposure settings when taking photos. The audio output and the display that can be moved to the side are also plus points when recording video. I also accept the higher weight for this.
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When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.
