Let’s delve into the world of the Canon EOS R50 as we take a closer look at this remarkable camera. In this comprehensive review, we will uncover its impressive features, performance, and overall capabilities.
Whether you’re a passionate photographer or a beginner looking to level up your skills, join us as we examine the Canon EOS R50′s strengths and weaknesses, providing you with valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.
Get ready to discover the potential of this exceptional camera and how it can elevate your photography experience.
Specifications
| Specs | Details |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C (1.6x crop) |
| Processor | Digic X |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF, RF-S |
| Auto-Focus | Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus II with 4,503 AF positions (3,713 for video) |
| ISO Range | 100-32,000 (exp to 51,200) |
| Video | 1080p up to 120p, 4K up to 30p (uncropped) |
| View-Finder | 0.39 OLED EVF, 2.36 million dots |
| Memory Card | 1x UHS-I SD |
| LCD | 2.95″ fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62 million dots |
| Max Burst | 15fps electronic shutter, 12fps mechanical |
| In-Body Image Stabilization | None |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth (4.2), UVC, canon.connect, Multifunction Shoe, micro HDMI, USB-C, microphone |
| Size | 116.3 x 85.5 x 68.8 mm |
| Weight | Black 328g body only (375g with card and battery) • White 329g (376g) |
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design, making it the smallest and lightest EOS R camera available.
- User-friendly interface with a guided UI, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience for photographers of all skill levels.
- Packed with features tailored for social media sharing and vlogging, catering to the needs of content creators.
Cons:
- Limited tracking options, lacking some of the latest advancements in subject tracking technology.
- Only equipped with one control dial, which may limit quick and efficient adjustments during shooting.
- The compact size may pose challenges when using larger RF lenses, limiting versatility in lens selection.
Key Features
The Canon EOS R50 is a camera that captures still images with a resolution of 24.2 megapixels using its APS-C-sized sensor. It offers a high-speed continuous shooting mode of up to 15 frames per second when using the electronic shutter, which is impressive considering its compact size and affordable price.
Moreover, the camera uses the Canon RF mount, specifically designed for their APS-C lineup of cameras. It’s important to note that lenses with the EF-M mount used for EOS M cameras are not compatible with the EOS R50. This means that those who were hoping for an easy upgrade from the Canon M50 might be disappointed.
Canon’s APS-C sensors have a crop factor of 1.6x, which means that the effective focal length of the lens is narrower compared to a full-frame camera. This can impact the field of view, particularly when shooting wide-angle shots.
When it comes to video recording, the EOS R50 can shoot in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, utilizing oversampling from 6K. It also supports Full HD (1080p) video at up to 120 frames per second.
Furthermore, the camera utilizes the full width of the sensor for video capture, avoiding any forced video crop that was present in the M50 line. However, the APS-C crop factor of 1.6x still applies to the field of view.
Overall, the Canon EOS R50 offers impressive features and capabilities for both still photography and video recording, with its high-resolution sensor and various shooting options.
Performance
The Canon EOS R50 addresses the issues we had with the M50 Mark II and serves as a significant upgrade. Its performance is very similar to the M50 Mark II, but with improvements that make it a better camera overall.
In terms of image quality, the R50 impresses. Like other 24-megapixel APS-C Canon cameras, it produces high-quality images.
However, thanks to the new sensor and processor borrowed from the R10, the R50 maximizes the potential of each pixel. While it’s still advisable to avoid pushing the ISO to extreme levels, the image files appear cleaner compared to what we’re used to from the M50.
The R50 caters to beginners with its guided shooting feature, which is particularly helpful for those transitioning from smartphones.
In addition, canon expects many users to fall into this category, and guided shooting assists them in making the most of the camera’s advanced capabilities. It simplifies the process for those unfamiliar with traditional photography, especially with the inclusion of a single control dial.
For experienced photographers, the R50 offers fully manual mode for both stills and video. However, those accustomed to having a second exposure dial may find it slightly frustrating to toggle between functions or use the touchscreen to adjust ISO, shutter speed, and aperture settings.
Overall, the Canon EOS R50 delivers an enhanced shooting experience with its improved features, guided shooting for beginners, and the flexibility of manual control for more advanced users.
Impressive AF Performance: Dual Pixel AF II Takes the Lead
The Canon EOS R50 shines in the autofocus department, even surpassing expectations for a camera in its category. The inclusion of Dual Pixel AF II across Canon’s mirrorless range is a significant achievement.
The tracking modes deliver reliable results, ensuring that the focused subject in the frame remains in sharp focus when reviewing captured images.
Enhanced Video Capabilities: A Game-Changer for Content Creators
Video enthusiasts will appreciate the substantial improvements the R50 brings compared to its M50 predecessors. Unlike the M50 models that relied solely on contrast-detect AF for video shooting, the R50 features Dual Pixel AF, harnessing the power of phase detection.
This results in excellent subject tracking, even in challenging lighting conditions. With its video-centric capabilities, the R50 is set to win the hearts of vloggers and content creators.
The 4K Advantage
One of the notable differences between the R50 and its M50 counterparts is the ability to capture 4K video without the unwanted crop factor that plagued previous models.
However, it’s important to keep in mind the camera’s APS-C sensor, which introduces a 1.6x crop factor. This means your lenses will appear more zoomed-in compared to their performance on a full-frame camera.
The Quest for the Perfect Vlogging Lens
Recognizing the need for a wider perspective, Canon introduced the compact and affordable RF 16mm f/2 lens, which offers the widest prime lens option for the system.
However, due to the 1.6x crop factor, the effective focal length becomes 26mm. This may not be sufficient for some users, particularly vloggers who often hold the camera at arm’s length while filming themselves.
ISO & Noice
The Canon EOS R50 utilizes the same sensor found in the EOS R10, resulting in similar image quality. When shooting at low ISO settings, you can expect visually appealing files with impressive levels of detail and minimal noise, even when viewed up close on a screen.
As you increase the ISO, noise gradually becomes more noticeable, particularly starting from ISO 800. By the time you reach ISO 3200, fine details start to lose their clarity.
As you push the ISO higher, image quality progressively declines. Details become blurry, and shadows become more pronounced. In my opinion, ISO 12,800 is the upper limit for practical use, especially when relying on traditional noise reduction techniques rather than AI-based solutions.
Moving beyond ISO 25,600, both color accuracy and fine details suffer greatly. ISO 32,000 and ISO 51,200 yield subpar results and are best avoided whenever possible.
What’s our Verdict?
The Canon EOS R50 maintains Canon’s reputation for producing user-friendly and high-performing entry-level cameras. Despite its compact size and limited physical controls, it offers a comfortable grip and an excellent touchscreen interface that compensates for the lack of buttons.
The camera produces consistently appealing JPEG files straight out of the box. Another advantage is its compatibility with EF-mount lenses, making it an attractive choice for existing Canon DSLR users.
One standout feature that sets the EOS R50 apart from its competitors is its exceptional subject recognition autofocus. This autofocus system greatly simplifies capturing images of people, animals, and vehicles, combining reliability with user-friendly operation. Considering its affordable price point, the effectiveness of the autofocus system is truly impressive.
However, there is a significant drawback to consider, which is the limited selection of lenses. Canon’s native APS-C RF-S lens lineup is rather disappointing, with the RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM kit zoom being particularly underwhelming.
Currently, the only viable alternative is the RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM, but it costs around 70% of the camera’s body-only price. In fact, if you’re considering purchasing that lens, it may be more sensible to opt for a kit that includes the EOS R10 instead.
Additionally, for those interested in landscape photography, architecture, or vlogging, there is a lack of wide-angle zoom lens options.
This places the Canon EOS R50 in an unusual position—it is one of the most capable cameras in its class, yet its potential is hindered by the limited availability of RF-S lenses.
It may still be a worthwhile purchase if you already own Canon EF-S lenses or are satisfied with the kit zoom lens. However, photographers seeking to explore broader photographic possibilities should explore other options.
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