Canon EOS M50
Canon’s EOS M mirrorless camera is affordable, powerful and comes with a built-in viewfinder. time to ditch the DSLR?
Has Canon finally got the mirrorless camera balance right? There’s only one way to find out, read our test!
there are strong rumours that Canon will launch a full frame mirrorless camera range in the near future, but for now its mirrorless ambitions are
confined to its APS-C format EOS M cameras.
Canon’s EOS M cameras are tempting as a smaller alternative to a full size EOS DSLR, because the lack of a mirror mechanism means the cameras are smaller and lighter. Rather than having an optical viewfinder they offer a full-time ‘live view’ either on the rear screen or, in the M50 in an electronic viewfinder. The smaller design means these EOS M cameras have their own EOS-M lens range, featuring lightweight, affordable lenses rather than professional optics – though you can fit regular EF lenses via an adaptor
The EOS M50 is only the second EOS M model to have an EVF, it’s the first EOS M to shoot 4K video and it’s being sold at a pretty competitive price. This could be the EOS M camera where Canon has finally got the balance right. The sensor is Canon’s now familiar 24-megapixel Dual Pixel CMOS AF unit, teamed up with the successful DIGIC 8 processor. The EOS M50 will normally be sold body-only, or with the Canon’s retracting 15-45mm kit lens.
Build and handling
The EOS M50 looks and feels very much like a miniature DSLR, right down to the viewfinder housing on the top where a DSLR pentaprism would be. The top plate is pretty sparse, though, a reminder that this is a more beginner-orientated model. To get the external controls that an enthusiast would look for, you’d need to step up to the more expensive EOS M5.
The M50’s touchscreen interface works very well and responds instantly to the lightest touch. You can tap anywhere on the screen to set the focus point in an instant, or drag it around the screen with a fingertip. This will give it appeal to novices and smartphone upgraders, which is a large part of Canon’s intended audience with this model.
This could be the EOS M camera where Canon has finally got the balance right
The 15-45mm kit lens has a retracting design which goes well with the M50’s compact body, though having to manually release the lens for shooting does become a rather annoying chore. With an effective focal range of 24-72mm, it’s got a slightly wider focal range than the kit lenses for Canon DSLRS, which is handy for shots indoors or travel photography.
performance
The EOS M50’s autofocus system is so fast and responsive that in most situations it feels almost instant, but the 4K video has some limitations.
One is that Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF feature is not available in this mode and the camera reverts instead to a slower contrast autofocus. Another is a rather large crop factor in the 4K mode, so the angle of view of your lens narrows considerably. These limitations don’t apply when shooting full HD video fortunately, only 4K.
It looks like Canon has a little way to go with the 4K video, but the M50’s still image quality and general usability is wonderful.
Its features probably won’t tempt any Canon DSLR users to the mirrorless camp, but for new users looking for a smaller camera that’s geared towards people trying to get into photography, it’s a great route inside the Canon system.