The Canon M50 is a wonderful tiny camera. It has a 24.1 MP APS-C size CMOS sensor (22.3 x 14.9mm) therefore it is 1.6x smaller compared to a full frame sensor.
This is not a big concern for a camera at this price point, especially considering the fact that APS-C sensors today are so good that you can get fantastic results with them.
I, for one, would not hesitate to use this camera for portrait or landscape photography. It is also a great travel camera, as it’s small enough to be easily carried around and takes excellent images.
Mine still got used regularly when I went on vacation. It’s a great camera to take with you if you want to capture those special moments while traveling and don’t want to carry around something bulky like a Canon 5D Mark IV.
Key Specifications:
Mount: Canon EF-M
Image sensor: 22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS
Autofocus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF System
AF Points: Maximum 143/99 points
AF Modes: One-Shot AF and Servo AF, Face tracking, Eye AF
Shutter Speed: 30-1/4000 sec (1/3 stop increments), Bulb
Metering Modes:
(1) Evaluative metering (384 zones)
(2) Partial metering (approx. 6.4 % of the LCD screen)
(3) Spot metering (approx. 2.8 % of the LCD screen)
(4) Center-weighted average metering
ISO Sensitivity: ISO AUTO (100 – 6400), 100 – 25600 in 1/3 stop increments. Can be expanded to 51200
During Movie shooting: 4K Movie: ISO AUTO (100 – 6400)
Full HD and HD Movie: ISO AUTO (100 – 12800), ISO 100 – 12800 in 1/3-stop increments. Can be expanded to 25600
Viewfinder: 0.39-type OLED Electronic Viewfinder
Approx. 2,360,000 dots
Coverage: 100%
LCD: Variangle 3.0” Touchscreen LCD with approx. 1,040,000 dots.
Flash: Built-in GN 5
Continuous Shooting: Approx. 10 shots/sec for up to 33 frames in jpeg and 10 frames in RAW in One shot AF.
Approx. 7.4 shots/sec for up to approx 47 frames in jpg in Servo AF
Wireless Features: Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth
Memory Type: SD, SDHC, or SDXC (UHS-I) card
Weight: 387g for black version, 390g for the white version
Advantages of Canon M50 over a full frame mirrorless camera
Since the Canon M50 is a mirrorless camera, I want to compare it to a full-frame mirrorless camera such as the Canon EOS R.
The most obvious advantage of the Canon M50 is its compact size and weight while still having an APS-C sensor.
The camera only weighs around 390g and even the lenses are tiny!
For example, the Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens weight is 300g. With just around 700g, you will have a great all-around gear that you can use to shoot about everything from landscapes to wildlife, and portraits.
The M50 is smaller and lighter than most full frame mirrorless cameras, making it more portable and easier to carry around where ever you go.
Next, the pricing of Canon M50 is much lower than a full frame camera. So, the entry point for you to get into the world of mirrorless cameras is much easier than before.
Lenses are cheaper too!
And yes, the Canon M50 doesn’t have the “pro” features that you can usually find on a full-frame camera such as a faster AF system, a bigger sensor, lots of customizable buttons, etc.
But here’s the thing: Not all people don’t need them. The Canon M50 is a very capable camera that you will definitely enjoy using. And it brings me to the next point, which is image quality.
Now, that we knew that the Canon M50 has a smaller APS-C sensor, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the camera has a worse image quality.
It’s actually quite good! I was really impressed with how sharp, detailed, and colorful images came out of this little guy. And it’s also better than what I expected for its price point.
If you’re a portrait shooter, you will be happy to know that the Canon M50 can be able to produce good and smooth out-of-focus areas.
If you’re a video shooter, you might get a little disappointed with it because it crops the 4K video by 1.6x. But if you’re a casual shooter who wants to film the occasional family video or travel vlog, then it should be more than enough for you.
In terms of low light performance, sure, it will struggle a bit in low light situations, but I can also say the same for every APS-C camera during the time Canon M50 came out.
The Canon M50 is actually pretty decent when shooting in low light. I can use ISO 3200 without worries and I got useable images in ISO 6400.
However, if you want to get the best image quality possible, try to stay below ISO 3200.
Alternatives
If you’re a bit disappointed to know that the Canon M50 has an APS-C sensor and not a full-frame one, then you may want to consider these cameras instead.
1. Canon EOS RP
This is an affordable upgrade to the Canon M50. It has a 26MP full-frame sensor, which means you can get more detail and better low-light performance than what the M50 offers.
The camera’s autofocus performance is fast and accurate. It also has a compact form factor and it only weighs around 440g, which is only 140g heavier than the M50.
2. Sony a7III
If you have grown tired of Canon’s antics, which is to cripple their cameras, you might want to consider the Sony a7III.
It is much more affordable now since the A7 IV came out, and it has a 24MP full-frame sensor with back-illuminated design that can deliver exceptional image quality.
The A7III is also capable of recording 4K video at 30fps with a 1.3x crop.
It has a much faster AF system, IBIS (finally!!!), and a beautiful OLED viewfinder.
If you want to upgrade your game to a full-frame mirrorless camera, the Sony a7III is one of the best options out there.
3. Nikon Z5
This is an entry-level mirrorless camera that was released by Nikon in 2020. It has a 24MP sensor that is also great for low light shooting.
Additionally, its 5-axis in-body image stabilization is quite impressive.
The Nikon Z5. can shoot 4K/30p video capture with 1.7x crop and has a large OLED viewfinder.
Check out our articles about Canon EOS M50:
FAQ
Is Canon M50 a DSLR or mirrorless?
The Canon M50 is a mirrorless camera. And in fact, a very good one. It has tons of features that cater to beginners and experienced photographers.
Does Canon M50 have a 4K crop?
Yes, when shooting in 4K, the sensor will crop the footage by 1.6x. It will be somewhat difficult to make a wide shot with this camera. However, you can still get some good shots with it.
Is Canon M50 good for product photography?
I can say that the Canon M50 is capable when it comes to product photography. The camera’s sensor can resolve pretty detailed images and pair it with a Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM Lens and you’ll get a solid product photography gear.
Is Canon M50 good for beginner photography?
Definitely! The Canon M50 is designed for beginners and it has a lot of features to help beginners to understand the basics of photography. Its auto mode is pretty good and beginners can use this camera as a point-and-shoot.
Is Canon M50 Mark 2 full-frame?
No, it is not a full-frame camera. Canon M50 Mark 2 has a smaller 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. This sensor is actually pretty good and very capable of taking great images and videos.
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 currently lives in London where she spends most of her time being a self-employed professional photographer and writer.