Canon EOS M M6 Mark II Black 2019

The best dead-end camera Canon ever made. Stunning image quality and autofocus in a tiny body, but you're buying into a discontinued system with no stabilization.

The autofocus is the real story here. 5481 AF points puts this thing in the top percentile of every camera we track, and Eye AF actually works like it should. The 32.5MP sensor is best-in-class for APS-C, delivering sharp, detailed files that embarrass cameras costing twice as much. Burst shooting at 14fps mechanical is well above average, and the 30fps electronic mode is a party trick that occasionally delivers. But here's the thing that surprised us: the battery is rated at 305 shots, which sounds mediocre, yet it lands in the 90th percentile for this category. Mirrorless cameras just don't sip power like DSLRs did, and this one is actually better than most.

The Fujifilm X-S20 is the obvious modern alternative. It has in-body stabilization, a current lens lineup, and better video features, but it costs more and the sensor resolution is lower. The Sony Alpha a7R IIIA gives you full-frame image quality with similar resolution, but it's bigger, heavier, and pricier. The Panasonic Lumix G9 II is a video monster with stabilization, but the Micro Four Thirds sensor can't match the M6 Mark II's detail. If you want the most resolution per dollar and don't care about video, the Canon wins. If you want a system with a future, look elsewhere.

Pricing is all over the place. We're seeing USD 525 to USD 1,275 across 14 US listings, which is a massive spread. At the low end, this is a steal. At the high end, you're paying too much for a discontinued system. Shop around, and if you can snag one near USD 525, you're getting flagship-level image quality for entry-level money. Just don't overpay for the privilege of buying into a dead mount.

The Canon EOS M6 Mark II is a weird little camera that punches way above its weight class. You get a 32.5MP APS-C sensor stuffed into a 408g body, which is frankly absurd. The one thing to know? This is the best EOS M camera Canon ever made, and also the last one. It's a dead-end system with a brilliant heart.

If you're a video-first shooter, this isn't your camera. No stabilization, no headphone jack, and a discontinued lens system make it a frustrating choice for serious video work. Go get a Fujifilm X-S20 or a Panasonic Lumix G9 II instead. If you want a camera system with a future and native lens options, skip this too. The EOS M mount is dead, and Canon has moved on to RF.

The M6 Mark II is a brilliant camera orphaned by Canon's own product strategy. The image quality and autofocus are genuinely outstanding, and at the right price, it's a fantastic stills camera. But you're buying into a discontinued lens system with no stabilization and no upgrade path. If you already own EF glass and want a compact second body, buy it without hesitation. If you're starting from scratch, think hard about whether you want to invest in a mount that Canon has already abandoned.