xptom Loc: Concord, CA

I have a friend who asked for my advice on buying a Canon 6D vs 80D. I never used either. What is your opinion?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Do they own a DSLR camera already, what brand? Do they have family members / supportive friends that also shoot Canon, what models? What do they want to do with the camera, everything or something specific? The 6D is an older 'budget' full frame model while the 80D is Canon's latest pro-sumer crop sensor model. Either will be a fine choice for nearly all purposes excluding fast action sports and similar high frame per second shooting.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I have both cameras and my 2 cents worth would be, go for the 80D. It may be APS-C where the 6D is Full Frame, but basically that's the only advantage the 6D has over the 80D. The 80D costs less, is much newer with far better technology inside, is faster, more accurate and has higher resolution. Unless the friend specifically needs a full frame camera that's really good in low light conditions, the 80D is the better choice.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

The 6D is a very stripped down entry level FF. Unless your friend is completely seduced by having a FF, the 80 offers many more features and is a much more advanced camera but with a smaller sensor. Most would never see a difference.
I'd advise the 80.
SS

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

6D -> Low light beast and fantastic pictures - terrible AF
80D -> all the bells and whistles (FPS, AF, DPAF etc etc) - IQ ? not even close to the 6D

2300 ISO on the 6D is about the same as 800 ISO on the 80D in equivalent noise...

If you shoot a lot of photos indoors/dimly lit and care about really high Image Quality - get the 6D
you want versatility (sports and stills) go 80D


Both are really good...however...if you want the BEST of BOTH - 5DMKIV :-)

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Unless you are planning on enlarging the images to the size of a garage door, the images from the 80D are fine.
Yes, the 6D will produce higher quality images as far as noise is concerned, it has a full frame sensor. But the sensor in the 80D, albeit smaller, uses superior technology.
You are correct about the 5D IV. I own all 3 cameras, the 5D IV, 6D and 80D and the 5D IV is a truly amazing camera.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I have both the 6D and the crop frame 7DII. I love love love the IQ on the 6D but if I could only have one it would be the 7DII. From what I've read on the 80D I probably still go with the 80D instead of the 6D.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

I too have had the 6D and the 7DMII - and I did not care for my 6D, sold it on ebay. Yes the image was good, but it wasn't good enough to put up with the; HORRIBLE AF, lack of flash, and a total inability to take a picture of anything moving faster than a corpse.
The 80D is a way better piece of equipment.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

80 D has better dynamic range, faster burst speeds, better auto focus and a better sensor. 6D has better low light capabilities and better image quality. Is the image quality under normal conditions than much better?? Probably not. Although I am a FF advocate, in this case I would go with the 80D. The 6D is very dated.

Bill

EdU239 Loc: The Northeast

I own an 80D and have used the 6D, and at this point I would recommend the 80D for the reasons already given. BUT, there is repotedly a 6D MkII coming out in a few months.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If the buyer is looking for a versatile camera that can "do it all", definitely the 80D. It's got a much more sophisticated, high performance 45-point AF system that's better for sports/action shooting. The 6D's 11-point AF system is much like that of a 5D from 2005. That's fine for some things, but not great for sports/action or anything requiring higher performance. The 80D's AF system was newly introduced with the camera when it was introduced a year ago. The 6D is "f/5.6 limited"... meaning it cannot autofocus a lot of possible lens + teleconverter combinations. The 80D has 27 "f/8 capable" AF points, meaning it's able to autofocus a 100-400mm Mark II lens when it's combined with a 1.4X teleconverter (for example).

Both cameras are able to focus in quite low light... -3EV (moonlight). The 6D can only do so at its center, dual axis AF point (its other ten AF points are lower performance single-axis). All 45 of the 80D's AF points are the higher performance, dual axis type. Even in Live View, the 80D is much superior with far faster and more useful "Dual Pixel AF" embedded in its imaging sensor. The 6D's Live View focus is much slower, old-style contrast detection method.

80D also has an articulate LCD screen and built in flash (which is pretty weak, like all built-ins). 6D has neither. 80D can shoot up to 7 frame per second continuous shooting rate (compared to 4.5 FPS in 6D).

Yes,the 20MP 6D will give "cleaner, more noise free" at the highest ISO settings. But the latest 24MP cameras such as 80D are surprisingly good, too. Unless you regularly use extremely high ISO (i.e., shoot in exceptionally low light a lot)... Or unless you regularly make really big prints (say 16x20" or larger), you aren't going to see the advantages of the full frame camera. Image quality "not even close"? That's utter bull. For most peoples' real world uses (prints up to 13x19 or online sharing of images), they'll have a really hard time telling any difference. Only "pixel peepers" will worry about it at all.

Full frame cameras require full frame lenses... which tend to be larger, heavier and more expensive. 80D can use both "crop only" (Canon "EF-S", etc.) and full frame (Canon "EF") lenses, equally well. So an 80D user will have somewhat greater choice of lenses, including some excellent values that are a lot more compact and lighter weight.

80D also has some more of the latest tech, such as Flicker Free mode which greatly improves quality of images shot under fluorescent and similar types of lighting. 6D is like a throwback to cameras several generations older. Not that 6D is "bad"... it's a great camera. But it's sort of a stripped down "entry level" full frame... While the 80D is just one step below Canon's top-of-the-line APS-C model (7D Mark II), several steps above the most entry-level crop sensor cameras (Rebel SL1/100D or Rebel T6/1300D).

So, unless doing something that specifically calls for a full frame camera, I'd recommend the 80D over the 6D.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

It depends on the type of photos your friend does. For low light and scenics, etc, the 6D is hard to beat. I current own a 6D and it is absolutely amazing in low light, I am able to get very usable pictures of my grandson's rock band in low light at an ISO of 25,000, with just a small amount of noise that is easily removed if desired. Image quality is great, noticeably better than my previous 60D with good lenses. But...I really, really miss the articulated LED. My granddaughter has an 80D but I've never used it.

xptom Loc: Concord, CA

Thanks for all of the good comments. Hedge hoggers come through again.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

IF your friend is asking about the difference between a full frame (6D) and the Crop 80D, I'd guess he/she is a relative beginner and I strongly recommend the 80D
I've had most of Canons EOS cameras - from the 10D through the 20D to the 40D, then got the 7D Mk-1, and now have the 80D
I've kept the 7D because my {Very Old} Tokina 12-24 lens won't work with the 80D (works FINE with the 7D)
And it would cost more than I could get for the 7D to buy a new wide-angle lens for the 80D
And I guess it's always good to have a spare camera body
BUT - - the 80D is my go-to camera now (unless I only need a quick Snap - when I grab my Fuji S1).
I'm NOT a Pro - probably 'advanced intermediate', but the 80D will take you from beginner to beyond where I currently am with no problems
My favorite recent photo attached.

Yellowstone - Artists Point - 9/2016 - 3-shot HDR

(Download)