- Rumors suggest a revised launch in May 2025 to EOS R6 Mark III
- It could be advertised along with two new lenses
- As a potential EOS R6 Mark II update competes Nikon Z6 III and Sony A7 IV
Canon’s twin launch of EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II stole 2024’s headings, with the latter camera winning Techradar’s camera for the year. However, it is believed that the middle class (and more affordable) EOS R6 Mark II remains Canon’s most popular mirror -free camera with full frame and that it could soon be updated with the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.
Canon rumors initially proclaimed a message at the end of 2024, which would have excited with Canon’s two-year cycle to the EOS R6 cameras so far. But here we are months later in March 2025, and there is still no evidence of the third model, the potential EOS R6 Mark III or a rival Sony A7 IV subsequent for that matter – the rumored Sony A7 V, which also takes longer than expected.
It leaves Nikon Z6 III as the best mirror -free camera with full frame for most people. It may not last this crown for a long time if the latest EOS R6 Mark III launches are exactly this time.
I have no doubt that a third model is in pipeline, but I am less convinced that it will come as soon as May – it tells us that there are so few leaked EOS R6 Mark III features. Still, it doesn’t prevent us from speculating what features the next model could have and what it needs to be to be a worthy EOS R6 Mark II upgrade and Nikon Z6 III rival.
1. A new stacked sensor
While a number of EOS R6 / EOS R6 Mark II users are hoping for a higher resolution sensor in a third model, the more likely scenario is outlined by Canon rumors, that the sensor remains a 24MP device. However, it will be a ‘stacked’ sensor type, like the one we saw in EOS R3 – Canon’s former flagship before EOS R1.
A stacked sensor delivers faster reading speeds, which in turn can improve a camera’s overall performance to Burst shooting and autofocus plus its handling of rolling shutter distortion. The Nikon Z6 III has a partially stacked 24MP sensor, whereas the Z6 II has a regular 24MP sensor.
These sensors do not come cheap, and if Canon decides to put one in R6 Mark III, it will probably affect the camera’s price. However, it is the logical upgrade for Canon to begin with; And keeping the solution to 24MP would leave reasonable respiratory space between EOS R6 Mark III and the next model up-the higher resolution EOS R5 Mark II, which has a 45MP stacked sensor.
2. Improved speed
To fully use a faster stacked sensor, the EOS R6 Mark III also needs a new processor. The EOS R1 / EOS R5 Mark II introduced a Digian Accelerator – it is much like another processor that streamlines how files are processed, facilitating bottlenecks – and the same secondary processor is likely to find its way into an EOS R6 Mark III.
A Digian accelerator could enable longer burst-shooting sequences plus better uptake of pre-catching and various other speed-dependent features.
However, it will not be useful to have a stacked sensor and other processor if the cameras still depend on SD cards to save files. No, the EOS R6 Mark III will also have to accept the faster CFEXPRESS type B cards and I expect a slot for each of these card types.
3. The latest autofocus
Again, it is pretty typical of Canon’s latest autofocus system to seep down from its flagship models all the way to its mid-range models, such as the EOS R6 series. To the extent that I expect the EOS R6 Mark III to have the same autofocus system as EOS R1 / EOS R5 Mark II, which is pretty much the best in the industry, especially if you photograph certain sports.
We have already covered how sophisticated Canon’s autofocus is in our in-depth review-some prominent features includes subjectivity and sports priority states. For the former, you can take a picture of a person and store it in the camera as a priority topic for the camera to focus on, such as the bride at a wedding. For the latter, users can choose one of a number of sports, and the camera can assess where the main points of interest are based on the action, says the player kicking a ball.
What will be unlikely to be inherited from Canon’s flagship models is eye control of that works using a sensor in the viewfinder who knows where your eye looks in the frame and automatically adjusts the focus area to what has your attention.
4. A new multi-wine screen
I do not expect many improvements in terms of the body and the handling of EOS R6 Mark III. However, Canon Rumors says the latest camera could contain a multi-angle LCD screen similar to the one on the Sony A9 III, which would be a first for Canon.
A multi-wine screen effectively has double hinges, which means you can turn the screen out of the body and then turn it again. This allows for easy view from awkward angles when shooting in horizontal and Vertical formats where a single-Hase type would be limited to horizontal slope.
Apparently the screen itself could be a more advanced OLED type rather than LCD. It would make it easier to see in bright light, although the technology would increase costs further. File it in the unlikely category.
5. AI editing in the camera
Another feature that debuted in last year’s flagship models was AI editing in the camera. Such AI tools are not only gimmicks – they can prove to be really useful on the go, and such a feature is upscaling – I wrote about my experience getting 400% larger images with the EOS R5 Mark II. Another is denoising, to improve details in low-light / high-iso images.
I see no reason why these tools cannot enter an EOS R6 Mark III. And a feature such as upscaling that can quadruple the camera’s image size from 24MP to 96MP probably makes even more sense. The rising sophistication of the technology could really put the megapixel run in bed.
Overview
I don’t think we’ll see a lot of brand new tech in EOS R6 Mark III when it is finally launched. However, by inheriting a lot of EOS R3 / EOS R5 Mark II Tech, it will be a healthy update of the EOS R6 Mark II, especially for users who need a faster camera and improved autofocus accuracy.
We could see a faster stacked sensor, twin processors that include Digic Accelerator, Canon’s best autofocus, cfexpress type B card compatibility, a new screen, plus a number of other hidden features, wrapped in pretty much the same body as before.
If all these upgrades are delivered, I struggle to see Canon beat the EOS R6 Mark III for something less than the EOS R6 Mark II’s launch price that sets the north of $ 3,000 / £ 3,000. With Nikon Z6 III and Canon EOS R6 Mark II is already greatly reduced to approx. 50% less than that, the consequence of EOS R6 Mark III delays is clear.
