Nobody can stop you from using your Canon M50 for professional photography gigs. It can definitely get the job done as long as you know what you’re doing.
I can probably say that this fantastic small camera can do more than what you think it can. It has a lot of features that can make your photos look more professional.
You just have to know how to use it properly and of course, using good lenses can help you a lot.
I’m going to share with you my experiences and my tips on how I use my Canon M50 for professional photography jobs.
This camera served as my backup camera when I was doing a wedding shoot and corporate events. It came in handy for me because it’s small enough to put inside my bag and bring around with me.
I also tried shooting solely with my M50 during product photography and some corporate gigs and I was surprised at how easy it was for me to work with this camera.
It’s not as big and intimidating as my Canon 5D Mark IV but it still produces great photos and videos.
Also, the best part about using the Canon M50 for professional photography gigs is that it’s lightweight so you can easily carry it around without feeling any burden at all.
Key Features
Now, let’s take a look at its key features that I really liked and why I think they’re important.
The Canon M50 is lightweight and easy to carry around, which means it’s excellent for outdoor shoots and capturing spontaneous moments when you’re on the go.
But it’s also got a host of features that make it perfect for professional photography gigs:
– It has a 24MP APS-C sensor that does a great job of capturing detail and natural colors.
– Dual Pixel CMOS AF system that is fast and accurate.
– Eye AF is useful for shooting portraits.
– It has the ability to shoot in 4K.
– OLED Electronic Viewfinder.
– It has a flip screen that can help you to compose from different angles.
– Can do a burst shooting of up to 10 frames per sec. when shooting in RAW
These features helped me to capture beautiful photos in different situations. I used this camera for shooting wedding photography, product photography, and family portrait sessions.
And to tell you the truth, clients still respected my work and were satisfied with the results. The camera is not only easy to use but also has a lot of features that helped me in my job.
Read the rest of our Canon M50 articles:
Low light lenses for Canon M50
Is the Canon M50 good for sports photography?
Best camera bags for Canon M50
Best Lenses for Canon M50
Quality lenses are a must for any photographer. Having fast lenses is helpful if you’re into shooting weddings and portraits.
“Date camera bodies, marry your lenses” is one of my personal favorite phrases, and it always rings true. A good lens can make all the difference between an average and a great photo.
It’s a good idea to invest in high-quality lenses because they’ll last you a long time and help you achieve great results. I recommend that you invest in a couple of lenses for your Canon M50 so that you can cover different focal ranges.
The kit lens that comes with the camera is good but there are better options out there. Here are some of them:
1. Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM Lens
This is an affordable fixed focal length lens that will help you to achieve shallow depth-of-field and shoot in low light conditions. This is what I use for weddings, portraits, engagement session and studio work.
In my opinion, this is a must-have lens for Canon M50 owners. It’s a great value for money and it’s sharp, fast, and produces lovely bokeh.
It is the “L” lens equivalent for EF-M mount cameras.
2. Sigma 16 mm f/1.4 AF DC DN
This lens is my favorite wide-angle EF-M mount lens. The autofocus is fast, it produces lovely tones and smooth micro-contrast as well.
The only downside is that it’s larger and heavier than most of the other lenses for the Canon M50. However, this is still a good choice if you want to shoot landscapes, weddings, and corporate events.
3. Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN
Another must-have lens if you’re into portraits and weddings. The Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN is a well-built lens that produces beautiful bokeh and sharp images. It’s also lightweight, so it’s easy to carry around all day long.
Moreover, I really like its out-of-focus areas, which look natural and smooth. The autofocus is fast and accurate as well.
I also use this lens alongside my Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 and Sigma 16mm f/1.4 when I’m shooting weddings and pre-wedding sessions.
4. Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN
The Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN is a well-built lens from Sigma. It’s a little cheaper than the Canon 32mm f/1.4 but it can definitely go up against it.
It’s a very sharp lens with great bokeh and an excellent color rendition. In terms of performance, it is actually quite close to its Canon counterpart but it does have some issues with chromatic aberration when shooting wide open. I recommend getting this lens instead if you’re tight on budget.
5. Canon EF-M 22mm f2 STM
Pancake lens! The Canon EF-M 22mm f2 STM lens is a great all-around lens for any photographer. It’s extremely lightweight and compact, so it makes it easy to carry around all day without getting tired.
I also love how fast and quiet the autofocus is on this lens as well as its sharpness when shooting wide open.
It’s really unbeatable for its price point. You can definitely shoot a small event with it and get some really nice results. It’s not the best lens in the world, but it will get the job done.
If you’re looking for an affordable prime lens that’s small but mighty then this should definitely be on your radar.
6. Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
This lens is perfect for landscapes, studio work, stock photography, and wedding photography. It is actually a pretty decent zoom lens for your Canon M50.
Like the Canon EF-M 22 f2, the Canon EF-M 11-22mm’s autofocus is fast and silent.
Its zoom range is pretty useful and believe it or not, this lens has IS.
Moreover, the lens is sharp across its zoom range and the color it produces is vivid and a little bit on the warm side.
This lens has great performance when used in good light. It will struggle during low-light situations, so be sure to use an external flash or other light source.
Using the Canon EOS M50 on weddings
I’m a wedding photographer for more than a decade and I’ve used a lot of different cameras over the years. From DSLRs to rangefinders, so many cameras have come and gone for me.
I’ve tried different brands, too: Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Leica, and Olympus.
And I want you to believe me that the Canon M50 is really capable of producing great shots and it is a very good option for wedding photographers who want to travel light and for those who are just starting out.
It may struggle a bit in low-light situations but if you’re willing to work with the camera, it can produce some great results.
When shooting weddings, having fast glasses is important and this camera can definitely deliver.
Using an external flash is also recommended as the built-in flash is not very powerful. Who uses a built-in flash during professional shoots anyway?
I also like the fact that the Canon EOS M50 has a good autofocus system that can lock on to subjects quite quickly and accurately, which makes it a great choice for shooting weddings.
This camera also produces nice images with vivid colors and they have a bit of a warm tone.
When it comes to prewedding or engagement sessions, this camera is also a good choice. It’s small, lightweight, and easy to use which makes it comfortable for the couple to carry around during a day of shooting.
I would also recommend getting a fast prime lens with it if you want to get the best results.
Also, be sure to invest in backup batteries and memory cards.
Unlike other “pro” DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, the Canon EOS M50 has only one card slot. This means that you can only use one memory card at a time.
I would recommend getting at least two or three more than you think you’ll need since these can run out quickly, especially when shooting in RAW format.
Product photography
When it comes to product, stock, or food photography, the setup and lighting are what matter most. Any decent camera and lens will do, but it’s important to find one that will allow you to get the most out of your lighting setup.
With the Canon M50, this is not an issue. The camera is more than capable of producing professional-looking photos.
It has a touch screen and vari-angle LCD that makes it easy for you to compose your shots and make changes on the fly.
I have personally used the Canon M50 for some product photography and studio work in the past and it did a great job in this regard.
Since there’s no native macro lens for the EF-M mount, I adapted my trusty Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM lens on it and it worked perfectly.
This lens is a staple in my bag and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a great macro lens.
Family portrait sessions
This is one of my favorite genres of photography! I love capturing families that are excited to be together and I enjoy seeing the interactions between family members.
It’s not always easy to get everyone to cooperate, especially babies and toddlers, but it’s worth it when you do!
Fortunately, because of Canon M50’s tiny size and ‘not-so-pro’ look, people are more likely to feel comfortable around the camera and let their guard down.
This makes it easier for me to capture natural expressions and genuine interactions —and I love that!
When it comes to capturing kids that are playing and running around, you may find that the Canon M50 may be a bit of a challenge.
Yes, the AF is actually fast and the face and eye detection work great, but it’s not always easy to focus on a moving target.
It all boils down to your skills as a photographer, and your ability to anticipate what might happen next.
Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with this amazing camera. I’ve been using it for a while now, and I can safely say that the camera is capable of producing some truly wonderful images.
It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly one of the best mirrorless cameras on the market right now.
Don’t be afraid to use your Canon M50 for professional work
With enough practice and patience, you can expect to develop your skills as a photographer and learn how to take great pictures with the Canon M50.
There was a time when analog cameras were the only option, and guess what? They took amazing pictures, too.
The same can be said for digital cameras and smartphones today. It’s all about YOU, the photographer, and your ability to capture the moment.
If you’re just starting out, take your Canon M50 with you and try to cover some small events. A wedding, a birthday party, or even small local events are great ways to practice your photography skills.
The point is to get some experience using the camera and learn how it works in real-life situations.
You’ll also get an idea of what type of shots you like to take and which ones are harder than others.
Emma Lucy is the Founder & CEO of Emma Lucy Photography. She has over a decade of experience shooting weddings and other intimate events. She also tests the latest digital camera bodies, lenses, analog cameras, and other gear from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and other camera brands. She is From London and currently lives in the United States of America, where she spends most of her time as a self-employed professional photographer and writer.