garyvot Offline Upload & Sell: On
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I previously owned a pair 5D2s, had a 5D3 for a short time, and presently own two 6Ds (and a pair of 1D Mark IVs). I like the 6D for its affordability, excellent IQ, compact size, light weight, decent ergonomics (though I too miss the joystick), and extremely quiet shutter (especially in "silent" modes). There are some usability compromises, but none that can't be worked around (for example, I have my Set button programmed for FEC, which is missing from the standard control layout). I also like the instant 1x focus magnification which is helped by an excellent LCD. Believe it or not, I have successfully performed a quick and dirty micro focus adjust (with a rented lens that was clearly out) on the fly while shooting an event using this feature. There are some cameras (including my Mark IVs) where I probably couldn't have detected the slight misfocus just by reviewing the results on-camera.
However, I probably would not "upgrade" to the 6D for IQ or focusing reasons. I do find high ISO noise marginally improved (chiefly due to less banding and slightly tighter noise structure--meaning the 6D files take NR very well). The 6D center point AF is also perhaps marginally improved over the 5D2, especially in low light. Focus results are a bit more consistent with different lenses too.
However, the 5D2 is the better AI Servo camera I think, due to the presence of the "hidden" AF expansion points that can be activated in that mode. The 6D has no such "helper" points, and I find the results less good when focus tracking.
While the 5D2 is widely criticized for having poor AF, it is mostly the outer AF points that are lacking--I have made many successful BIF and sports images with the 5D2 using center AF point + expansion. The chief limitation of this body as an action camera is the framerate and mirror blackout times, IMHO.
But shooting moving kids with a classic center point focus / recompose technique is rather tedious sometimes, and not all photographers are willing to put up with this. Good wide-area AF makes capturing erratic action or composing off-center moving subjects much easier. If that's an issue for you, then the 6D is not appreciably better than a 5D2.
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