You have to use one of the less sensitive, and therefore less accurate, AF points at the edge of the array. As the only cross-type AF point is in the centre, you can’t use it to focus unless the model’s eye is also in the centre of the frame. The single cross-type AF point in the centre is shown in green, and the AF point the photographer would have to use is in red: The photo below shows how this works by overlaying a diagram of the EOS 6D’s AF array over a portrait. The normal way to focus in this situation is to use the AF point closest to the model’s eye. Accurate focus is critical as depth-of-field is very narrow at this setting – you may have less than an inch of sharpness to play with. Imagine that you’re taking a portrait of someone with an 85mm lens set to f1.8. between f1.0 and f2.8) as depth-of-field is so narrow at these settings.Īs an example, let’s look at how it works with portrait photography.
This is especially important if you work at wide apertures (i.e. The EOS 6D has an eleven point autofocus (AF) array with one cross-type AF sensor in the centre.Ĭross-type AF points are more sensitive, and therefore focus more accurately, than other AF sensors.Along with the EOS 1D-X, it has Canon’s most advanced autofocus system. The EOS 5D Mark III has a 61 point AF array with up to 41 cross-type AF sensors (depending on the maximum aperture of the lens mounted on the camera).It is a big factor if you are into photographing sports, action, portraits or any moving subject. But not before considering autofocus performance! AutofocusĪutofocus performance is the major difference between the two cameras. On the other hand, if you are a landscape photographer, keep the camera mainly in the studio, or just take it with you on location and use it for a couple of hours then pack it away again, the weight probably makes no difference.īottom line: If size and weight are critical, then go for the EOS 6D.