Although it is now more than three years old and has been replaced by a more recent model, the Canon EOS M50 continues to be a popular choice as a mid-range mirrorless camera among consumers who are looking for a device that is easy to use, user-friendly, and flexible enough for video recording.
It may be argued that the EOS M6 Mark II is the model in Canon’s M-series of mirrorless cameras that hit the sweet spot, with the M50 (and its replacement, the M50 II) lying just below it in the hierarchy of offerings. But if you look hard enough, you might get a terrific deal on the M50. Should you still give it any thought?
The answer is yes. However, it depends on your price range and how you want to shoot. The EOS M50 is significantly more affordable than the EOS M6 Mark II and offers excellent value for the money, particularly for photographers who primarily work with still images. It differs from the flagship model in that it is equipped with an inside viewfinder, making it an excellent choice for taking photographs in various settings.
Canon EOS M50 Features
In the next few days, we will be undertaking a re-evaluation, and there is a good chance that the price of this item will go down as part of the Black Friday sales. However, this review includes a few references that have been updated to provide you with a better idea of how the EOS M50 compares to other products.
The APS-C sensor in the EOS M50 is significantly smaller than the full-frame sensor found in Canon’s mirrorless EOS R series cameras. This is not a negative aspect of the camera in any way; the sensor is the same size as the ones found in several of Canon’s DSLRs, such as the EOS Rebel SL3 and the EOS 250D, and this enables the camera to remain compact while maintaining a high level of image quality.
Canon EOS M50 Build Quality
The EOS M50 takes numerous design influences from its predecessor, the EOS M5, most notably the location of the electronic viewfinder in the center of the camera (EVF). In addition, a built-under flash is tucked away in the high hump; that is where the electronic viewfinder (EVF) is located.
The M50 weighs slightly less than the EOS M6 Mark II, and the outer finish has quite a plasticky feel, just like some of Canon’s entry-level DSLRs. The chassis of the M50 is fashioned from durable polycarbonate, and it weighs just a little less than the EOS M6 Mark II. However, the construction quality is relatively high, and the textured handgrip, which has the appearance of a leatherette, is perfectly sized for the camera.
Compared to the EOS M50 and the EOS M6 Mark II, the M5 has a more significant number of body-mounted controls because it was designed with the enthusiast photographer in mind. However, the EOS M50 and the M6 Mark II have fewer controls overall.
Canon EOS M50 Autofocus
Although Canon took some criticism for the focusing performance of the first EOS M mirrorless camera, the company has made significant strides in this area since then.
The EOS M50’s upgraded Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology delivers excellent results in terms of its functionality. This makes quick AF area selection straightforward, while you also don’t have to use the entire screen real estate either – if you want, you can set this function to fill half or a quarter of the display in the menu. Focusing is quick, and there is also the option to touch and drag the AF point with your thumb on the rear display while you have the camera raised to your eye.
Canon EOS M50 Performance
In Single AF mode, the EOS M50 can shoot up to 10 frames per second because of its DIGIC 8 image processor. However, if you wish to track your subject using Continuous AF, this decreases to a still potent 7.4 frames per second.
The electronic viewfinder that comes with the M50 is also extremely impressive. It has a good magnification, which prevents it from feeling too claustrophobic, and it has a refresh rate that ensures a smooth display.
The touchscreen user interface on the back display, which can also be found on various Canon cameras ranging from compacts to DSLRs, functions well. It is pretty snappy, and swiping through photographs and touching to modify the AF point both perform well. Overall, it is an enjoyable experience.
Canon EOS M50 Image Quality
The EOS M50’s photos are evident and sharp because of the APS-C sensor that features 24.2 megapixels. It would be best if you didn’t have trouble creating prints of acceptable quality on paper larger than A3+ from the photos you recorded. Because of the densely packed sensor, you should be able to get away with some pretty significant cropping if you need to.
The sensor also provides solid performance in low-light environments, with noise that is effectively controlled even when using settings with a higher ISO. Even at an ISO setting of 6400, raw files maintain a high level of quality, exhibiting very little luminance (grain-like) noise and almost no chroma (color) noise.
Regarding dynamic range, the EOS M50 likewise turns up a strong performance. Although it does not quite offer the same latitude as more advanced cameras when you’re processing raw files, it puts in one of the best performances, enabling you to recover a good amount of otherwise-lost detail. However, it does not offer the same latitude as more advanced cameras when processing raw files.
Canon EOS M50 Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Composite |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 26 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Digic 8 |
| Color space | sRGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 51200) |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 51200 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.31)Raw (Canon CR3 14-bit) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 143 |
| Lens mount | Canon EF-M |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManual |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash range | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleContinuousSelf-timer |
| Continuous drive | 10.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC1280 x 720 @ 120p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC1280 x 720 @ 60p / 26 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC slot (UHS-I compatible) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| USB charging | No |
| HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Built-in |
| Battery description | LP-E12 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 235 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 390 g (0.86 lb / 13.76 oz) |
| Dimensions | 116 x 88 x 59 mm (4.57 x 3.46 x 2.32″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Canon EOS M50 Verdict
The Canon EOS M50 is a fantastic option if you’re in the market for a mirrorless camera because it provides excellent image quality, is simple to operate, and has an exemplary focusing system. However, if you’re looking for a camera that supports a wider variety of designs and has a more comprehensive set of capabilities, other alternatives are superior to this one.
