Hands on with the Canon EOS 6D

A new full-frame camera from Canon makes its debut, and we have hands-on photos and first impressions to share.

To read more on the EOS 6D, click through to our preview.

The 6D will be available as body only and in a kit version with the 24-105mm f/4 L-series lens from early December 2012.

The 6D is nice and light for a full-frame camera. Canon says it's the world's lightest, at just 690 grams without a battery. It sits quite comfortably in the hand, with a nice protruding front grip that provides a sturdy feel, while buttons and dials at the top and back are easily accessible.

Though the 6D sits between the 7D and 5D Mark III in the Canon EOS range, it's only 15 grams heavier than the 60D, a crop-sensor model.

The 3-inch LCD screen is fixed, not articulating like models found on other cameras like the 60D. At 1.04-million dots, it makes reviewing and composing images (if you use Live View) nice and easy.

The top panel on the 6D looks fairly similar to many other Canon models that you might be accustomed to. However, you can probably see in the image a small icon saying Wi-Fi. The 6D comes with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities, so users can send images to other wireless devices. There are also Android and iOS apps available through which you can remotely control the camera and take photos like you would be able to with a cabled tether.

Elsewhere, on-screen prompts and controls are pretty much standard EOS camera fare. What is slightly different is the rotating dial at the back of the camera, which also has a four-way directional pad nestled inside it. Our initial play with it was pleasant, as it had good feedback and provided an easy way to change shooting options in the menus.

Even though the 6D is quite small with a regular lens on it — such as the kit 24-105mm — it is positively tiny when paired with the 40mm f/2.8 pancake. Plus, when mounted on the 6D, it's a true 40mm rather than being susceptible to crop factor when mounted on an APS-C model.

As you can see as well, there's no pop-up flash on the camera, like all the other full-frame models from Canon. If you want to use flash, you will need to invest in a dedicated speedlight.

Ports and connectivity on the side are standard, including a micro-HDMI, USB, 3.5mm microphone input and remote.

Here is a 6D side by side with a 5D Mark II (unfortunately, there were no Mark IIIs on hand). They look to be a similar size, but it's all a trick of the eye, as the 6D is substantially lighter.

The 6D also inherits the same love-it or hate-it locking mode dial from the Mark III. Pressing the centre button is the only way to make the mode dial rotate, which was designed in conjunction with user feedback from many professional photographers who found that the dial slipped out of place too easily.