Canon R6 Mark III Review: Why I Upgraded from the R6 Mark II

Posted by Ohmer Belma | Higher AEM Photography

Why I Upgraded: Bigger Projects, Bigger Demands

As my work evolved, so did my technical needs. When your images are being used for large-scale outputs or commercial purposes, file quality matters more than ever.

The R6 Mark III gave me the extra headroom I needed:

  • More flexibility in post-production

  • More confidence delivering large files to clients

  • More room to push my creative vision

This wasn’t a casual upgrade — it was a strategic one.

Resolution: The Real Game Changer

One of the biggest reasons I upgraded is the increase in resolution. The R6 Mark III delivers noticeably sharper files with more detail, and that directly impacts how I shoot and edit.

Here’s where it really shines:

  • Cropping flexibility – especially useful for tight portraits or editorial compositions

  • Large print quality – cleaner results for posters, ads, and high-end commercial use

  • Retouching headroom – skin work, color grading, and fine details hold up far better

This isn’t a minor spec bump. It genuinely changes the workflow and opens up creative options.

Autofocus: Faster, Smarter, More Reliable

Canon took an already excellent autofocus system and made it even better.

The R6 Mark III:

  • Locks onto eyes faster

  • Tracks subjects more accurately

  • Recovers quickly when a subject turns away or moves unpredictably

In real-world use:

  • During fast-paced fashion shoots, I’m getting more keepers per burst

  • In busy lifestyle environments, subject detection feels quicker and more confident

It honestly feels like the camera understands what you’re trying to do.

Burst Shooting & Rolling Shutter Improvements

Another noticeable improvement is how the R6 Mark III handles rolling shutter, especially when shooting with the electronic shutter.

This results in:

  • Less distortion with moving subjects

  • Cleaner lines while panning

  • More usable frames overall

And yes — the burst rate is still incredibly fast, making it easy to capture motion without missing key moments.

Improved Dynamic Range & Color Handling

Without getting overly technical, the dynamic range has clearly improved.

What that means in practice:

  • Better shadow detail

  • More graceful highlight recovery

  • Cleaner, more natural colours straight out of camera

Skin tones in particular look more refined, which is a big deal for portrait and editorial photographers. Less fighting in post, more time focusing on creative direction.

Low-Light Performance: Still a Monster

Even with the jump in resolution, Canon kept its low-light magic intact.

The R6 Mark III:

  • Handles ISO 6400 extremely well

  • Produces files that can be pushed without falling apart

  • Maintains strong detail and color in challenging lighting

For real-world shoots — events, interiors, night portraits — this reliability matters.

Should You Upgrade to the Canon R6 Mark III?

Here’s the honest breakdown.

The R6 Mark III is worth it if you:

  • Shoot professional portraits, editorial, or commercial work

  • Deliver images for large print or heavy cropping

  • Want the best autofocus, detail, and file flexibility possible

You may not need to upgrade if:

  • You’re fully satisfied with the R6 Mark II

  • You’re not pushing your files to their limits

  • Your current workflow already meets your needs

The R6 Mark II remains a powerhouse. This upgrade is about refining and expanding, not replacing something that’s broken.

Final Thoughts

For me, the Canon R6 Mark III aligned perfectly with where my work is going — bigger projects, bigger outputs, and higher expectations.

It keeps everything I love about the R6 series while adding the technical improvements that actually matter in real-world photography. If your work is evolving, this camera is ready to evolve with you.

Watch my YouTube review here

Canon R6 Mark III – First Impressions & Honest Review | Worth the Upgrade?

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube for more real-world lens reviews, behind-the-scenes content, and epic portrait shoots.

Next
Next

Canon RF 50mm F1.2 vs RF 85mm F1.2 – Which One Should You Choose for Portraits?