Full-frame: the holy grail of DSLR cameras. The term describes a sensor size equivalent to a classic 35mm film frame. And in 2017 it’s a market more accessible than ever before, rather than just something for heavyweight pros to handle.

Which is what the Canon EOS 6D Mark II sets out to achieve, as the replacement of 2012’s 6D. Sure, we’ve seen sub-£2K full-frame cameras before now – we’re looking at you Nikon N750 – but the 6D Mark II adds yet greater flexibility with its vari-angle touchscreen.

This is Canon adapting, as it’s the first time we’ve seen such a feature in its full-frame cameras. It’s also Canon positioning multiple DSLR product propositions for different customers. When the 6D launched we thought it felt like it was holding back; the Mark II model, however, exists in a kind of more manageable resolution sweet spot, at 26.2-megapixels, allowing the 30-megapixel 5D MKIV and 50-Megapixel 5DS to cater for ultra-high resolutions (at far higher asking prices).

Canon 6D Mark II review: Design

• 765g body for the lightest full-frame DSLR to date
• Vari-angle LCD with touchscreen controls
• Built-in viewfinder with 98 per cent field-of-view
• Dust and drip resistant body
• Canon EF lens mount

One of the things the 6D MkII’s spec sheet sells hard is that it’s the lightest full-frame camera every made. Not just within Canon’s range, either, but by any company – it’s 75g lighter than the Nikon D750, for example.

Although that’s an achievement in one direction, it’s not a point to make a massive fuss about, really, given how heavy top-notch full-frame lenses are. Plus, we’ve become so accustomed to using mirrorless cameras like the Panasonic Lumix GH4 and Olympus Pen F that the EOS 6D II feels massive by comparison, frankly.

Compared to the original 6D, the Mark II is also a few millimetres less deep. Although you might not notice that in the hand, it’s more of an achievement than it sounds thanks to the newly appointed vari-angle LCD monitor. Finally, Canon is embracing screen-based work in a full-frame camera – the kind of thing that’s not only ideal when out on the go, but also a feature some will find useful for still life studio work too.

Better still, the screen is touch-responsive, meaning you can press to focus and make adjustments. This is Canon embracing the smartphone era and adapting its technologies accordingly – which we’ve been waiting to see properly implemented in a full-frame DSLR for a while. It works really well, too, despite not being as snappy as a mirrorless camera, it’s faster than Nikon’s equivalent offering.

Up top there’s the same optical viewfinder as found in the earlier 6D. It’s got a 98 per cent field-of-view rather than a full-on what-you-see-is-what-you-get 100 per cent frame. That’s not the end of the world, but it’s a bit of a kick in the side at this price point to not see that outermost two per cent of the frame during shooting. We suspect this is an intentional move to try and push those even more pro users towards the pricier 5D MkIV.

Canon EOS 6D MkII review: Performance

• 45-point all cross-type AF system (focus to -3EV)
• Dual Pixel AF for on-screen autofocus
• Digic 7 processor (first for Canon in full-frame)
• 6.5fps burst shooting (4fps in live view)
• Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth LE and GPS all built-in

Not only is the 6D MkII’s screen touch-sensitive, the sensor it’s paired with has autofocus pixels on its surface, which Canon terms as Dual Pixel AF technology. In short this means focusing using the screen is quick – every bit as good as you’ll find in the EOS 8OD.

Which is a great reference point. The 6D II also pools in the 80D’s equivalent focus system when using the viewfinder. Capable of low-light focus to -3EV, and comprising 45 autofocus points, all of which are cross-type (27 of them are sensitive to f/8, nine of which are cross-type sensitive to ensure heightened sensitivity if you’re using, say, a slower lens or zoom extender) there’s a lot of clout here.