Canon EOS M100 vs Canon EOS R6: A Hands-On Comparative Review from My Experience

In the ever-evolving mirrorless camera landscape, Canon offers options that cater to widely different user needs and budgets. Today, I’m putting two distinctive models head-to-head: the Canon EOS M100, an entry-level mirrorless that launched in 2017, representing accessibility and simplicity; and the Canon EOS R6, a professional-grade powerhouse introduced in 2020, aimed at advanced enthusiasts and pros alike.

Having thoroughly tested both cameras across a broad range of shooting conditions and genres - from portraiture to wildlife - I’ll share detailed technical insights, real-world performance notes, and candid pros and cons to help you decide which Canon system best suits your photography journey.

Let’s start by setting the stage with their physical presence and control philosophies.

Feel in Your Hands: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

When you first pick up the Canon M100 and R6 side by side, the size difference is striking. The M100 is compact and minimalistic - a camera that easily slips into a small bag or even a jacket pocket. The R6, conversely, feels like a substantial tool built for serious work, with more substantial grip and controls.

The M100’s dimensions of roughly 108x67x35 mm and weight around 302 g make it very travel-friendly and unobtrusive for casual street shooting or travel. Its rangefinder-style body lacks a built-in viewfinder, contributing to its slim silhouette, but this also means you rely solely on the rear LCD for composing photos.

On the other hand, the R6’s 138x98x88 mm body weighing 680 g offers an SLR-style design with a deeply contoured grip that I found comfortable during prolonged shoots. Its heft contributes to stability with longer lenses and generally feels reassuring in the hand. Plus, Canon’s weather sealing further reinforces its reliability in tough conditions.

This size and ergonomics gulf isn’t just physical - it shapes your shooting style. The M100 encourages casual, quick snaps, while the R6 invites more deliberate, professional-level engagement.

A Closer Look From Above: Controls and Interface

Operating cameras efficiently can make or break candid moments. Let me take you through the user interface and control layouts.

The M100 is delightfully minimalist: a mode dial, shutter button, power switch, and a few function buttons. Its streamlined approach avoids overwhelming beginners. The touchscreen LCD is intuitive and serves as the primary interface due to the lack of a viewfinder.

The R6 has a more commanding layout, featuring dedicated dials for exposure compensation, ISO, drive modes, and a multi-controller joystick. This array of physical controls allows quick tactile adjustments - invaluable when shooting fast-paced sports or wildlife. Though initially intimidating, I grew to appreciate this configuration for the creative and operational freedom it offers.

Despite the R6’s complexity, its menu system remains user-friendly, with logical grouping of settings and helpful tooltips in Canon’s latest firmware.

Under the Hood: Sensor Tech and Image Quality Fundamentals

At the heart of every camera lies its sensor, determining image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

The M100 sports a 24MP APS-C sensor sized 22.3x14.9 mm, which strikes a solid balance of resolution and noise handling for this entry-level segment. The built-in anti-alias filter slightly softens images to prevent moiré, typical for cameras of this class.

The R6, in contrast, packs a 20MP full-frame sensor measuring 36x24 mm without an anti-alias filter. Despite the lower megapixel count, the larger photosites gather significantly more light to yield impressive dynamic range and exceptional noise control - critical for demanding professionals.

Real-world testing confirmed these specs: the R6’s files showed richer color gradation, notably better shadow detail retention, and cleaner high ISO shots even at ISO 12800 and above. The M100 performed admirably for casual use, but pushing its boundaries towards ISO 3200 and beyond introduced noticeable noise and softening.

Living the Moment: Autofocus Performance in Varied Scenarios

Here’s where the two diverge profoundly. Autofocus (AF) technology is fundamental for capturing fleeting expressions and action.

The M100 employs Canon’s hybrid AF system with 49 autofocus points using both contrast and phase detection. It supports touch-to-focus and basic face detection, making it usable in everyday life and casual portraits.

The R6 shines with a staggering 6072 autofocus points, powered by Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system enhanced by the DIGIC X processor. Critically, the R6 supports animal eye AF in addition to human eye AF, and sophisticated subject tracking algorithms. This makes it a beast at wildlife, sports, and event photography, where speed and accuracy matter.

During my hands-on tests:

• Portraits: The R6’s eye-tracking locked consistently, even with eyes partially obscured by glasses or hair - a game changer for sharp headshots. The M100’s face detection occasionally struggled indoors under low light or moving subjects.

• Action: The R6 effortlessly tracked runners and flying birds with minimal focus hunting. The M100’s AF was slower and occasionally missed focus on rapidly moving subjects.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Vision

Both cameras favor touch interfaces, but they differ significantly in display tech.

The M100 includes a tilting 3-inch 1040k-dot touchscreen, helpful for selfies and composing at odd angles but limited for outdoor visibility due to its lack of brightness and anti-reflective coatings.

The R6 takes it further with a fully articulated 3-inch 1620k-dot touchscreen, higher resolution, and improved viewing angles. It’s nearly essential for professional videographers and those who like composing from creative perspectives.

In addition to the display, the R6 features a large electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 3690k-dot resolution, 100% coverage, and 0.76x magnification, making precise composition and manual focusing comfortable in bright environments. The M100 forgoes a viewfinder entirely, which I found limiting when shooting in bright sun or fast-moving situations, forcing reliance on the dimmer LCD.

The Creative Arsenal: Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Lens choice dramatically impacts your creative possibilities and investment longevity.

The M100 uses Canon’s EF-M lens mount with 23 native lenses available, including primes and zooms optimized for APS-C. The lineup covers basic portraiture and everyday focal lengths but is narrower than Canon DSLR or RF mounts and largely lacks pro-grade optics.

The R6 sports the new RF mount designed for full-frame Canon mirrorless. Though younger than EF, the RF mount has an emerging selection of 17 native RF lenses with exceptional optical quality, fast apertures, and innovative designs. Plus, the R6 can directly use Canon EF and EF-S lenses via an adapter without performance compromise, accessing the extensive EF ecosystem.

For example, I paired the R6 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM - a phenomenal lens for wildlife and sports, delivering stunning sharpness and stabilized handheld shots. Such options don’t exist for the M100.

Core Performance Metrics: Speed, Stabilization, and Battery Life

Continuous Shooting Speed:
The M100 delivers up to 6.1 fps - sufficient for casual dynamic scenes but limiting for fast sports or wildlife. The R6 doubles that at 12 fps mechanical shutter and 20 fps electronic shutter, allowing me to capture nuanced action sequences with confidence.

Image Stabilization:
The M100 lacks in-body image stabilization (IBIS), relying fully on lens stabilization. This can hinder handheld low-light or macro work. The R6 incorporates 5-axis sensor-shift IBIS, compensating across many degrees of motion, enabling sharp images at slow shutter speeds handheld.

Battery Life:
The M100’s LP-E12 battery yields approximately 295 shots per charge, adequate for light use but a drawback for longer shoots or travel without spares. The R6’s larger LP-E6NH battery improves to around 360 shots; still on the modest side, but dual card slots and faster workflow partially offset this.

Durability and Build Quality: Ready for the Elements?

The M100 is designed for indoor and casual outdoor shooting - it has no weather sealing, making it vulnerable under rain or dusty conditions.

The R6 includes robust weather sealing against moisture and dust, making it dependable on rugged shoots or travel to unpredictable environments. This build confidence is important for professional applications or serious enthusiasts working in diverse climates.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Photography

For videographers, both cameras provide Full HD video, but at vastly different levels.

The M100 offers 1080p at 60p with basic H.264 compression, no 4K video support, and no microphone input. Good enough for casual clips but lacking control and quality for serious video work.

The R6 steps into professional territory with:

• 4K UHD at up to 60p
• Full HD up to 120p for slow-motion
• 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording (via firmware update)
• In-body image stabilization for smoother handheld footage
• Microphone and headphone jacks for audio monitoring
• Canon’s excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF for smooth, accurate continuous focus in video

In my hands, the R6 delivers cinematic video far beyond the M100’s reach - ideal for hybrid shooters balancing stills and video.

Diverse Photography Scenarios: Real-World Use Cases and Performance

Let me walk you through how these cameras perform across key photographic genres, with insights from extensive field tests.

Portrait Photography

• M100: Colors and skin tones are pleasant but tend to lack subtle gradation in challenging lighting. The modest autofocus handles stationary subjects well but doesn’t support eye detection during continuous AF, limiting sharpness on moving portraits.

• R6: Portraits benefit from rich tonality, smooth bokeh from fast RF lenses, and highly reliable eye and face detection, enabling sharp, expressive captures effortlessly.

Landscape Photography

• M100: Adequate dynamic range for basic landscapes, though highlights can clip under harsh light. Lack of weather sealing discourages shooting in inclement environments.

• R6: Outstanding dynamic range and high resolution deliver detailed, vibrant landscapes. Weather sealing adds confidence shooting on windy or damp days.

Wildlife and Sports

• M100: Autofocus and burst rate limit capturing fast action or wildlife effectively.

• R6: Thanks to its blazing AF, high frame rate, and extended ISO range, the R6 excels at fast-moving subjects, even in low light.

Street Photography

• M100: Its small size and quiet operation (no electronic shutter) make it discreet for street shooting.

• R6: Bigger and heavier but silent shooting mode and excellent low-light performance let you capture candid moments unobtrusively.

Macro Photography

• M100: Capable paired with appropriate lenses but absence of IBIS means steady hands or tripod needed.

• R6: IBIS plus focusing aids like focus bracketing and stacking provide a superior macro experience.

Night and Astro Photography

• M100: Limited by noise at high ISOs and no in-body stabilization.

• R6: High native ISO, low read noise, and sensor stabilization facilitate compelling astro shots handheld or at maximal exposure.

Travel Photography

• M100: Light and portable, great for travel snapshots, but compromises on durability and battery may frustrate longer trips.

• R6: Offers versatility, ruggedness, and comprehensive features for diverse travel needs, albeit with added bulk and cost.

Professional Workflows

• M100: Entry-level files compatible with RAW processing software, adequate for hobbyists.

• R6: Supports dual card slots, advanced RAW formats, and integrates smoothly with professional post-production workflows.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Conveniences Examined

Both cameras feature built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control. The M100 also has NFC for quick pairing, while the R6 foregoes NFC but has more robust wireless capabilities overall.

Storage-wise, the M100 offers a single SD card slot with UHS-I compatibility, limiting write speed for high-bitrate continuous shooting.

The R6 includes dual SD card slots supporting faster UHS-II cards, facilitating overflow recording, backup, or separate JPEG/RAW storage - vital for pros.

Cost and Value: What You Get for Your Money

With prices around $449 for the Canon M100 and $2,499 for the Canon R6 (body only), the gap is substantial.

The M100 offers a capable, affordable entry point for beginners or casual shooters prioritizing portability and ease of use over advanced features.

The R6 commands a premium but justifies it with pro-level performance, advanced autofocus, superior image quality, video prowess, and professional durability.

Visual Proof: Sample Images from Both Cameras

Canon M100 front Canon M100 screen back Canon R6 front Canon R6 screen back

Analyzing side-by-side samples, the R6’s images stand out with better noise control, sharper detail, and richer dynamic range, especially in challenging light. The M100 produces pleasant images suitable for casual sharing but offers less room for heavy editing.

Final Performance Ratings: Objective Scores Reflecting My Testing

This chart summarizes technical and operational testing results, with the R6 clearly leading in autofocus, image quality, burst rate, and video. The M100 remains competitive in portability and ease of use.

Which Camera Excels at Which Photography Types?

You can see clearly how the R6 dominates demanding scenarios like wildlife, sports, and video, while the M100 suits casual portraits, street, and travel photography with light requirements.

Wrapping It Up: Who Should Choose Which Canon?

My thorough hands-on analysis reveals the stark contrasts between Canon’s M100 and R6 - each shines within their intent but serve very different photographers.

Choose the Canon M100 if you:

• Are a beginner or casual enthusiast focused on everyday photography
• Value portability, ease of use, and touchscreen simplicity
• Shoot mostly outdoors in good light and prioritize spontaneous capture over speed
• Have a budget under $500 and want solid image quality without complexity

Opt for the Canon R6 if you:

• Need a camera for professional or serious enthusiast work demanding speed and reliability
• Frequently shoot portraits, sports, wildlife, or video where autofocus and IBIS matter
• Want high image quality with excellent low-light performance and dynamic range
• Require solid build quality, weather sealing, and dual card slots for critical shoots
• Can invest a premium for gear that grows with your skills and creative ambitions

Final Thoughts from My Experience

Having used hundreds of cameras, I can affirm the M100 is a fantastic entry point and superb travel companion for newcomers. The R6, however, is a game-changer that elevates your craft through advanced tech and versatility.

If your photography passion is growing and you dream of shooting pro-caliber images and video, the R6 is worth every cent. For those wanting a straightforward, lightweight solution, the M100 remains a charming choice.

Regardless of your pick, each Canon system offers Canon’s renowned color science and dependable image quality in its class. Understanding your priorities and how each camera supports them is the key to a satisfied purchase - I hope this detailed comparison clears the path for you.

Disclosure: I have no affiliation or incentive from Canon. This review reflects my unbiased testing and photography experiences to help readers make informed decisions.

If you have questions about specific use cases or want deeper advice for your gear arsenal, feel free to reach out. Great photos await!